the message-handling IM client of FIGS. 1 and 2. [0012]FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing another embodiment having logic components of the message-handling IM client of FIGS. 1 and 2. [0013]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method for automatically replying to IM messages when an IM recipient does not respond for a predefined time interval. [0014]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an e