Hidden IM program?

[Squeamizh]

Hi, guys,

I'm looking for a instant-messaging program that is "compatible" with AIM(ie., will allow me to use my buddy list and talk to people who are using AIM) that would be hard for someone looking at my computer screen to tell I'm running. Basically, I want to be able to use AIM at work without having to worry about my boss thinking I'm talking all day and not working(which isn't the case, there are some peopel whom I have to speak to every so often and AIM is quicker than by phone, but that's another story...). As it is, when my start menu thing at the bottom of the screen is visible, there are 3 pieces of evidence that AIM is running(the program, the away message, and the little icon on the right). Does anyone know if there exists a program that is either a) completely hidden somehow but I can still access when I need to(I don't know if this is even possible), or b) that just looks a little more innocuous, like it runs in a dos-prompt window or something that no one would think twice of when my start menu is visible?(I always have a lot of windows open at once, so an extra generic one would be fine) I know it's sort of a long shot, but if anyone can help that would be great.

Thanks.

[Miz]

If you're running XP, you can use Trillian and mark its tray icon as "Always hide."

Hmmm.....on second thought, you could do the same with AIM but neither solution will hide the icons for an open chat session.

How about setting the Taskbar to Autohide?