for those that use Google chat.. how can people see me online?

[skim milk]

I rarely log in and I stay in invisible mode if I'm just checking my email

My old roommate who I haven't spoken to in about a year emails me right after I log in (invisible mode) and I saw that he was online too. And another person tries to get in touch with me.

Is there a way that people can tell others are invisible?

 

[Q]

Not that I know of.

And if they could 'see' you, why wouldn't they just chat with you? It's just odd timing.

 

[Nik]

I don't know. Here, let me pull out my giant Google Talk FAQs and Operations Manual handbook I just happen to have next to me and look it up. I know I should have taken the time to put this help stuff on the google site somewhere, but I've been so lazy lately. Good thing you came to Anandtech to ask this question, where I frequently hang out!

 

[skim milk]

Not that I know of.

And if they could 'see' you, why wouldn't they just chat with you? It's just odd timing.

because I logged off right after
I logged in to check email, logged in invisible mode, logged off chat and email 10 seconds later, and received notifications of new emails few minutes later from people I haven't heard from a long time
Timing was really weird

 

[cheezy321]

the ultimate creeper: someone who doesnt want to talk to others, yet wants to be 'invisible' so they can see everyone else that is on