Deleted groups in iChat 6.0 keep reappearing

Question

I have just installed Lion and noticed that a few moments after I delete unwanted default buddy groups (Facebook Family, really?) they reappear. Has anyone else run into this problem and/or found a solution yet?
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,
As some accounts/Screen Names allow Multiple Logins you can get this problem.
I will give two AIM Examples.
Issue 1
The AIM Account info (if you set one up) Tab in the iChat Preferences allows you to Add a group to your Buddy List called Recent Buddies.
These are Buddies that have contacted you but that have you have not formally added to your List.
You cannot delete Buddies from the list/Group.  (Technically they are not in your Buddy list)
Other than turning it Off in iChat 4 and 5 it is almost impossible to Delete the Group.
To explain this further.
AIM call Buddies "Food"
They call the places "Food" is kept as "Feedbags"
So, your Buddy List as in those Buddies whose Screen Names you have added to iChat is kept on the AIM server (Feedbag 1 if you like)
Your Address Book is another Feedbag (Number 2) and the software adds the real name to the Screen Name and that's what you see.
The Recent Buddies Group is a third Feedbag that you only have Read Access to. (AIM keeps this list at their end - realistically it is a list that displays as a Group).
Issue 2
Lets say you have a work Computer and a Home Computer and both are logged in to iChat and the AIM servers.
WHen you try delete a Buddy in the list when you are at Home the  Work Computer will re-add the Buddy again as it is it's Buddy list
You can then spend ages trying to delete a Buddy you no longer want.
This can be complicated but automatic sign in periods when using the AIM Web  site (the default is 2 weeks)
So if you used AIM Express for example you may still be logged in via a web page and the Buddy list cannot have deletions.  (you can add Buddies)
Just logging in to the AIM site with a Login can do this without using AIM Express.
Chunking this up to other Accounts/Screen Names
Google also have a default Login period.  (ever noticed your name always apppears at the top when you go to a Google page ?)
FaceBook is similar.
It does make it easier for that greeting.
People tend to think that quitting a page logs them out.
(you should always Log out.).
FaceBook works on the idea that you can constantly say what is going on and make changes to your Status.
As far as Chat is concerned it makes it look like you are having conversations over days if now weeks.
This dopes mean there is a second Login which is keeping things as they are - if they are Buddies only.
FaceBook may also run groups similar to AIM that are hard to Delete or can only be changed at Facebook's settings
Things to Try
An AIM Account can have Multiple Logins turned Off.
If you then Quit iChat and restart it you will get a Message from AIM asking if you want to log the other Login Off Line.  (You type yes as a response )
Jabber Accounts (Google and Faceook) allow Multiple Logins by default.
You may have to Edit things at the source whilst Logged out of iChat.
9:33 PM      Thursday; July 28, 2011
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