Suppose someone insists on IMing me without my permission.   Is Ignore the only way to stop that?     No.   You can rid your screen of an annoying IM by minimizing the IM box -- just click on the little bar in its upper right corner (see at right).   The box collapses, but the IM connection is not broken so that person can't IM you again unless he signs out and back on.        You may either tell your annoyer what you intend to do, or just imagine him sitting there typing to himself !

Is there a way of blocking all IMs from anyone?    Yes. Click on Tools at the top, and then on Preferences.  Place a check in the box for "Ignore All Ims."    Anyone who sends an IM your way will get the message given in the box to the right.   Make that a polite message, now.   Remember, your friends may read it too.