(Sorry, I always hate it when people just use the 
subject heading of messages and then write "n/t" 
instead of bothering to explain themselves in a 
real posting).

Anyway, yes, this is slightly unsettling.  I'd go 
for it more if the original poster'd identify 
him/herself first.  But even then I probably 
wouldn't pass out my IM name.  Why?  I'm on it all 
day, at my office, because I do need it for my 
job.  I can't entertain chat requests from 
everyone who's just hanging out online looking to 
shoot the breeze.  I suspect most of the rest of 
the folks on this board who're reluctant to 
volunteer their IM handles feel the same way.  
Head to the IRC channel if you're looking to chat, 
or get in touch with individual posters via their 
email/web site addresses.  Just don't be offended 
when many of us refuse to give up IM names at 
randmom.