when does your status go online?

[Eleria]

when I boot up my computer and connect to the internet, does that automatically display me as being "online" through steam to other users, or do you only appear as "online" when you also have the steam app open? anyone know if it's the same for Origin?
p.s. i noticed that other users often ask what the other status's are. if you happen to know that too, it might help some frustrated gamers if you included their meanings for steam with your answer. thanks!

[Team Fortress 2 Source SDK]

You need to be logged into steam to appear online.

[ໂ‧͡‧̫ໃ]

It depends on your client settings for the device you are using.
For instance my Steam chat is set to be offline in general so when I log on from most devices my friends don't see I am online, but I've set it to auto for the two devices I use the most. For those devices I am shown as online straight away.

If you go to
Settings > Friends > uncheck Automatically sign into Friends when I start Steam

you won't be online to other users when you go online on your client.

I didn't quite understand your P.S. part but status is basically just what you set it to, or have it set to change as via settings on your Steam chat.

It's all confusing because Steam client status and Steam chat status are two different things. You can be logged into Steam client in online mode and be offline in chat etc because they're two different things. If you're offline in your client obviously you can't use any of the community features so are offline in chat by default.

[Eleria]

ok thanks.

i also saw that in settings you can choose to have have steam start automatically when your computer boots up.

so if you also had "sign into friends automatically," you would appear online when your computer boots up (assuming your wi-fi hasn't gone to crap or turned off).

I've always been curious when i see other people or think about my own status because i wonder "are they available for online gaming/steam chat, or did they just happen to turn on their computer to do some school work or netflix, and thus likely need to not be disturbed." I guess it's still hard to say huh.

As foor my side note, I'm no expert on the other status types. it sounds like a lot of people may have a general idea of what they mean, but not what they specifically conotate. i just figured after several years of being on steam, i'd be good to know what away, busy, snooze, etc. mean specifically.