[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

No, no. You are looking in the wrong area, it is much easier to find then you think. On the main page of the site (not the forum list page). I'll show you the link to what I am talking about just in case you are still confused.
http://www.japanforum.com/

There is a panel to your left that says: Online Users, below that has the current poll, and above that has your Buddy List.

You buddy list is to just simply keep track of all your friends that are online, and it lets you PM them easier, and show they are active by using the + sign next to their username.