Passive personalization of buddy lists

• US 7,512,652 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roskind, James A., Appelman, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, LAN DAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/184,002
• Time in Patent Office: 2,468 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/223, 709/227
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Personalizing communications for a first communication platform includes accessing status information for communication sessions by a communication identity that leverage a first communication platform other than an instant messaging platform. A participant list associated with the communication identity and the first communication platform is passively configured to persistently reflect a list of participant identities from communication sessions in which the communication identity recently participated using the communication platform.

Claims

1. A method for configuring an instant messaging participant list, the method comprising:

maintaining, at a computer system and for a communication identity, an instant messaging participant list that includes one or more participant identities, the instant messaging participant list being configured to enable the communication identity to monitor on-line presence of and initiate instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities included in the instant messaging participant list;

maintaining, at the computer system and for the communication identity, a log for tracking communication sessions that involve the communication identity, the log including records of communication sessions that leverage one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging and that involve communications between the communication identity and other participant identities;

determining, from the log, a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

based on the determined subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging, passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity including;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging,

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging, and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising determining if participant identities of the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging currently are on-line, wherein passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of only those participant identities of the subset of participant identities determined to be currently on-line as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities that participated, within a threshold period of time, in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have participated, within the threshold period of time, in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining no more than a predetermined number of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list comprises one or more recent contacts sub-lists that distinguish participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities; and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes populating one of the recent contacts sub-lists with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein:

determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises;

determining a first subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a first communication platform other than instant messaging, and

determining a second subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a second communication platform other than instant messaging.

7. The method as in claim 6 wherein:

the one or more recent contacts sub-lists comprise a first communication platform recent contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity using the first communication platform from other participant identities and a second communication platform recent contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity using the second communication platform from other identities;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes;

generating a first list that includes the first subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform, and

generating a second list that includes the second subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform;

arranging the listed participant identities according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity participated in a communication session with the communication identity includes;

arranging the listed participant identities within the first list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the first subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform,

arranging the listed participant identities within the second list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the second subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform;

populating one of the recent contacts sub-lists with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes populating the first communication platform recent contacts sub-list with the first arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform; and

the method further comprises populating the second communication platform recent contacts sub-list with the second arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform.

8. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

9. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

10. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging or from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging or from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

11. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:

determining a relative chronological order in which individual participant identities within the list of participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging wherein, arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes arranging the listed participant identities within the list to reflect the relative chronological order in which the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

12. The method as in claim 11 wherein:

determining a relative chronological order in which the individual participant identities within the list of participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining which particular one of the participant identities within the list of the determined subset has participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging most recently relative to other of the participant identities within the determined subset; and

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list to reflect the relative chronological order in which the participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises listing the particular participant identity determined to have communicated with the communication identity most recently as the first listed participant identity among the listed subset of participant identities.

13. The method as in claim 1 wherein passively configuring the instant messaging participant list includes configuring the instant messaging participant list without action from the communication identity.

14. The method as in claim 1 wherein passively configuring the instant messaging participant list includes maintaining the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity on the participant list beyond logout of the communication identity.

15. The method as in claim 1 wherein passively configuring the participant list includes maintaining the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity after a communication session with the communication identity is terminated.

16. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic mail communication platform; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

17. The method as in claim 16 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent electronic mail contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity;

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes arranging the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities within the list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in an electronic mail communication session with the communication identity; and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes populating the recent electronic mail contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

18. The method as in claim 16 further comprising enabling initiation of instant messaging communication sessions with one or more of the participant identities in the recent electronic mail sub-list through selection of the participant identities from the recent electronic mail sub-list.

19. The method as in claim 18 further comprising determining if the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic mail communication platform are currently on-line, wherein generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity includes only including participant identities that are determined to be currently on-line within the list of the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

20. The method as in claim 16 further comprising:

determining if the participant identities identified on the instant messaging participant list as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity are currently on-line;

enabling initiation of instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined to be currently on-line through selection of the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined to be currently on-line; and

enabling initiation of electronic mail communication sessions with the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined not to be currently on-line through selection of the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined not to be currently on-line.

21. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic chat communication platform; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity.

22. The method as in claim 21 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent electronic chat contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity;

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes arranging the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities within the list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in an electronic chat communication session with the communication identity; and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes populating the recent electronic chat contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity.

23. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a voice-over-IP communication platform; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity.

24. The method as in claim 23 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent voice-over-IP contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity;

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a voice-over-IP communication session with the communication identity; and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes populating the recent voice-over-IP contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity.

25. The method as in claim 1 wherein:

determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a telephony communication platform; and

passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity.

26. The method as in claim 25 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent telephone contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity;

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a telephony communication session with the communication identity; and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes populating the recent telephony contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity.

27. The method as in claim 1 wherein the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging that is included within the instant messaging participant list includes contact information for at least one of the listed participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity, the method further comprising using the contact information to enable a communication session with the at least one participant identity.

28. The method as in claim 1 wherein passively configuring the instant messaging participant list includes maintaining, on the instant messaging participant list, the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity independent of a device used for the communication sessions during which the instant messaging participant list was created such that the instant messaging participant list is accessible from one or more different devices.

29. The method as in claim 28 wherein maintaining the instant messaging participant list at the computer system comprises maintaining the instant messaging participant list at a remote device accessible to the one or more different devices.

30. The method as in claim 1 wherein generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes including a particular participant identity determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the generated list only if the particular participant identity is not already included in the instant messaging participant list.

31. The method as in claim 1 wherein generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes including a particular participant identity determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the generated list only if the particular participant identity already is included in the instant messaging participant list.

32. The method as in claim 1 further comprising displaying the passively configured instant messaging participant list.

33. The method as in claim 32 wherein displaying the passively configured instant messaging participant list includes displaying an online status for each participant identity in the instant messaging participant list.

34. The method as in claim 1 wherein passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises passively updating the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

68. The system as in claim 1 wherein the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively updating the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

35. A system for configuring an instant messaging participant list, the system comprising:

means for maintaining, for a communication identity, an instant messaging participant list that includes one or more participant identities, the instant messaging participant list being configured to enable the communication identity to monitor on-line presence of and initiate instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities included in the instant messaging participant list;

means for maintaining, for the communication identity, a log for tracking communication sessions that involve the communication identity, the log including records of communication sessions that leverage one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging and that involve communications between the communication identity and other participant identities;

means for determining, from the log, a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity based on the determined the subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging including;

means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging,

means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging, and

means for including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

36. The system as in claim 35 further comprising means for determining if the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging currently are on-line, wherein the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of only those participant identities of the subset of participant identities determined to be currently on-line as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

37. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities that participated, within a threshold period of time, in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have participated, within the threshold period of time, in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

38. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining no more than a predetermined number of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

39. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list comprises one or more recent contacts sub-lists that distinguish participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities; and

the means for including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for populating one of the recent contacts sub-lists with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

40. The system as in claim 39 wherein:

the means for determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises;

means for determining a first subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a first communication platform other than instant messaging, and

means for determining a second subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a second communication platform other than instant messaging.

41. The system as in claim 40 wherein:

the one or more recent contacts sub-lists comprise a first communication platform recent contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity using the first communication platform from other participant identities and a second communication platform recent contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity using the second communication platform from other participant identities;

the means for generating that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes;

means for generating a first list that includes the first subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform, and

means for generating a second list that includes the second subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform;

the means for arranging the listed participant identities according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity participated in a communication session with the communication identity includes;

means for arranging the listed participant identities within the first list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the first subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform, and

means for arranging the listed participant identities within the second list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the second subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform;

the means for populating one of the recent contacts sub-lists with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for populating the first communication platform recent contacts sub-list with the first arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform; and

the system further comprises means for populating the second communication platform recent contacts sub-list with the second arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform.

42. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

43. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

44. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging or from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging or from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

45. The system as in claim 35 further comprising:

means for determining a relative chronological order in which individual participant identities within the list of participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging wherein, the means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes means for arranging the listed participant identities to reflect the relative chronological order in which the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

46. The system as in claim 45 wherein:

the means for determining a relative chronological order in which the individual participant identities within the list of participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining which particular one of the participant identities within the list of the determined subset has participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging most recently relative to other of the participant identities within the determined subset; and

the means for arranging the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities to reflect the relative chronological order in which the participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for listing the particular participant identity determined to have communicated with the communication identity most recently as the first listed participant identity among the listed subset of participant identities.

47. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list includes means for configuring the instant messaging participant list without action from the communication identity.

48. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list includes means for maintaining the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity on the participant list beyond logout of the communication identity.

49. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for passively configuring the participant list includes means for maintaining the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity after a communication session with the communication identity is terminated.

50. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic mail communication platform; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

51. The system as in claim 50 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent electronic mail contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity;

the means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in an electronic mail communication session with the communication identity; and

the means for including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for populating the recent electronic mail contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

52. The system as in claim 50 further comprising means for enabling initiation of instant messaging communication sessions with one or more of the participant identities in the recent electronic mail sub-list through selection of the participant identities from the recent electronic mail sub-list.

53. The system as in claim 52 further comprising means for determining if the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic mail communication platform are currently on-line, wherein the means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity includes means for only including participant identities that are determined to be currently on-line within the list of the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

54. The system as in claim 50 further comprising:

means for determining if the participant identities identified on the instant messaging participant list as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity are currently on-line;

means for enabling initiation of instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined to be currently on-line through selection of the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined to be currently on-line; and

means for enabling initiation of electronic mail communication sessions with the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined not to be currently on-line through selection of the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined not to be currently on-line.

55. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic chat communication platform; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity.

56. The system as in claim 55 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent electronic chat contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity;

means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in an electronic chat communication session with the communication identity; and

the means for including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for populating the recent electronic chat contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity.

57. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a voice-over-IP communication platform; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity.

58. The system as in claim 57 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent voice-over-IP contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity;

the means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a voice-over-IP communication session with the communication identity; and

the means for including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for populating the recent voice-over-IP contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity.

59. The system as in claim 35 wherein:

the means for determining, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises means for determining a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a telephony communication platform; and

the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprises means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity.

60. The system as in claim 59 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent telephone contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the means for generating that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity;

the means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging includes means for arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a telephony communication session with the communication identity; and

the means for including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for populating the recent telephony contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity.

61. The system as in claim 35 wherein the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging that is included within the instant messaging participant list includes contact information for at least one of the listed participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity, the system further comprising means for using the contact information to enable a communication session with the at least one participant identity.

62. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for passively configuring the instant messaging participant list includes means for maintaining, on the instant messaging participant list, the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity independent of a device used for the communication sessions during which the instant messaging participant list was created such that the instant messaging participant list is accessible from one or more different devices.

63. The system as in claim 62 wherein the means for maintaining the instant messaging participant list comprises means for maintaining the instant messaging participant list on a remote device accessible to the one or more different devices.

64. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for including a particular participant identity determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the generated list only if the particular participant identity is not already included in the instant messaging participant list.

65. The system as in claim 35 wherein the means for generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging includes means for including a particular participant identity determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the generated list only if the particular participant identity already is included in the instant messaging participant list.

66. The system as in claim 35 further comprising means for displaying the passively configured instant messaging participant list.

67. The system as in claim 66 wherein the means for displaying the passively configured instant messaging participant list includes means for displaying an online status for each participant identity in the instant messaging participant list.

69. A computer program for configuring an instant messaging participant list, the computer program being embodied on a tangible computer readable medium and including instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to:

maintain, for a communication identity, an instant messaging participant list that includes one or more participant identities, the instant messaging participant list being configured to enable the communication identity to monitor on-line presence of and initiate instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities included in the instant messaging participant list;

maintain, for the communication identity, a log for tracking communication sessions that involve the communication identity, the log including records of communication sessions that leverage one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging and that involve communications between the communication identity and other participant identities;

determine, from the log, a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity based on the determined subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging including;

generating a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging,

arranging the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging, and

including, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

70. The computer program as in claim 69 further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine if the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging currently are on-line, wherein the instructions, that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list to enable identification of only those participant identities of the subset of participant identities determined to be currently on-line as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

71. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities that participated, within a threshold period of time, in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities determined to have participated, within the threshold period of time, in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

72. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine no more than a predetermined number of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

73. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list comprises one or more recent contacts sub-lists that distinguish participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate one of the recent contacts sub-lists with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

74. The computer program as in claim 73 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine a first subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a first communication platform other than instant messaging, and

determine a second subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a second communication platform other than instant messaging.

75. The computer program as in claim 74 wherein:

the one or more recent contacts sub-lists comprise a first communication platform recent contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity using the first communication platform from other participant identities and a second communication platform recent contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in communications sessions with the communication identity using the second communication platform from other participant identities;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to;

generate a first list that includes the first subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform, and

generate a second list that includes the second subset of participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity participated in a communication session with the communication identity include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to;

arrange the listed participant identities within the first list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the first subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform, and

arrange the listed participant identities within the second list sequentially according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the second subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate one of the recent contacts sub-lists with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate the first communication platform recent contacts sub-list with the first arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the first communication platform; and

the computer program further comprises instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate the second communication platform recent contacts sub-list with the second arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging the second communication platform.

76. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

77. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

78. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging or from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the participant identities with whom the communication identity most recently initiated communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging or from whom the communication identity most recently accepted communication sessions leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

79. The computer program as in claim 69 further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine a relative chronological order in which individual participant identities within the list of participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging wherein, the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities to reflect the relative chronological order in which the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.

80. The computer program as in claim 79 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a relative chronological order in which the individual participant identities within the list of participant identities of the subset of participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprises determining which particular one of the participant identities within the list of the determined subset has participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging most recently relative to other of the participant identities within the determined subset; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities to reflect the relative chronological order in which the participant identities participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to list the particular participant identity determined to have communicated with the communication identity most recently as the first listed participant identity among the listed subset of participant identities.

81. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to configure the instant messaging participant list without action from the communication identity.

82. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to maintain the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity on the participant list beyond logout of the communication identity.

83. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the participant list include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to maintain the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity after a communication session with the communication identity is terminated.

84. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic mail communication platform; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

85. The computer program as in claim 84 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent electronic mail contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in an electronic mail communication session with the communication identity; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate the recent electronic mail contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

86. The computer program as in claim 84 further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to enable initiation of instant messaging communication sessions with one or more of the participant identities in the recent electronic mail sub-list through selection of the participant identities from the recent electronic mail sub-list.

87. The computer program as in claim 86 further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine if the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic mail communication platform are on-line, wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to only include participant identities that are determined to be currently on-line within the list of the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity.

88. The computer program as in claim 84 further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine if the participant identities identified on the instant messaging participant list as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity are currently on-line;

enable initiation of instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined to be currently on-line through selection of the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined to be currently on-line; and

enable initiation of electronic mail communication sessions with the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined not to be currently on-line through selection of the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in electronic mail communication sessions with the communication identity and that are determined not to be currently on-line.

89. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging an electronic chat communication platform; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity.

90. The computer program as in claim 89 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent electronic chat contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities of the subset of participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in an electronic chat communication session with the communication identity; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate the recent electronic chat contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in electronic chat communication sessions with the communication identity.

91. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a voice-over-IP communication platform; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity.

92. The computer program as in claim 91 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent voice-over-IP contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a voice-over-IP communication session with the communication identity; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate the recent voice-over-IP contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in voice-over-IP communication sessions with the communication identity.

93. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein:

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine, from the log, the subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to determine a subset of the other participant identities that most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging a telephony communication platform; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list to identify one or more of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity as participant identities that recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity.

94. The computer program as in claim 93 wherein:

the instant messaging participant list includes a recent telephone contacts sub-list that distinguishes participant identities that recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity from other participant identities;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity;

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a communication session with the communication identity leveraging a communication platform other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to arrange the listed participant identities sequentially within the list according to a relative temporal order in which each listed participant identity of the subset of participant identities participated in a telephony communication session with the communication identity; and

the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include, within the instant messaging participant list, the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to populate the recent telephony contacts sub-list with the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in telephony communication sessions with the communication identity.

95. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the arranged list of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging that is included within the instant messaging participant list includes contact information for at least one of the listed participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity, the computer program further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to use the contact information to enable a communication session with the at least one participant identity.

96. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to maintain, on the instant messaging participant list, the participant identities identified as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity independent of a device used for the communication sessions during which the instant messaging participant list was created such that the instant messaging participant list is accessible from one or more different devices.

97. The computer program as in claim 96 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to maintain the instant messaging participant list comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to maintain the instant messaging participant list on a remote device accessible to the one or more different devices.

98. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include a particular participant identity determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the generated list only if the particular participant identity is not already included in the instant messaging participant list.

99. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to generate a list that includes the subset of participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to include a particular participant identity determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the generated list only if the particular participant identity already is included in the instant messaging participant list.

100. The computer program as in claim 69 further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to display the passively configured instant messaging participant list.

101. The computer program as in claim 100 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to display the passively configured instant messaging participant list include instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to display an online status for each participant identity in the instant messaging participant list.

102. The computer program as in claim 69 wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively configure the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity comprise instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to passively update the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

103. A method for configuring an instant messaging participant list, the method comprising:

maintaining, at a computer system and for a communication identity, an instant messaging participant list that includes one or more participant identities, the instant messaging participant list being configured to enable the communication identity to monitor on-line presence of and initiate instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities included in the instant messaging participant list;

maintaining, at the computer system and for the communication identity, a log for tracking communication sessions that involve the communication identity, the log including records of communication sessions that leverage one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging and that involve communications between the communication identity and other participant identities;

determining, from the log, a subset of the other participant identities that, within a threshold period of time, participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

based on the determination of the subset of participant identities that participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging within the threshold period of time, passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of one or more of the subset of participant identities as participant identities that recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity.

104. A method for configuring an instant messaging participant list, the method comprising:

maintaining, at a computer system and for a communication identity, an instant messaging participant list that includes one or more participant identities, the instant messaging participant list being configured to enable the communication identity to monitor on-line presence of and initiate instant messaging communication sessions with the participant identities included in the instant messaging participant list;

maintaining, at the computer system and for the communication identity, a log for tracking communication sessions that involve the communication identity, the log including records of communication sessions that leverage one or more communication platforms other than instant messaging and that involve communications between the communication identity and other participant identities;

determining, from the log, no more than a predefined number of the other participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging; and

based on determining the participant identities that most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging, passively configuring the instant messaging participant list associated with the communication identity to enable identification of the participant identities determined to have most recently participated in communication sessions with the communication identity leveraging communication platforms other than instant messaging.