Avatars Online
The Avatars Online window the avatars that are currently online (currently controlled by a player) and which empire they are affiliated with if any. The information is slightly delayed and only updates on a set interval.
Status Icons
The window also shows a small status icon before each name.
Normal status
Away from keyboard (AFK)
Agent
Away From Keyboard
The button in the lower-right corner is used to declare yourself away from keyboard (AFK). This has no actual effect on gameplay and is entirely optional. When AFK is enabled a different status icon is shown, and you are prompted with a popup asking if you wanna disable AFK when sending a comm message.