An instant messaging client apparatus and method for use with a data processing system associated with a data processing network. The apparatus comprising: an input/output component for receiving from the data processing network a first instant message; a presence component for determining whether a user is locatable at the modified instant messaging client in order for the user to transmit a response to the received first instant message; a first location component for analyzing an information source associated with the user for determining a list of locations where the user is locatable for communication; a second location component for polling the list of locations to determine whether the user is present at a location identified on the list; and a communicator component for initiating a communication for sending the received first instant message to a remote device associated with the user at the identified location.