YInformer gives you 4 different scanning types to use.  The Blank and Custom IM can be used universally on any Yahoo ID, does not matter if they are on your buddy list or not or even if you are on ignore!  The Avatar and P2P scans are mainly for those on your buddy list.

1. Blank IM Scan - sends a blank IM to the target and then returns the online results. - Recommended
2. Custom IM Scan - sends a customized message of your choice to appear like a spam bot to your target.  You can type whatever message you want in the text field below figure 2 after you have clicked the Custom Scan button.
3. Avatar/Display Scan - checks for an avatar or display image on the target, bot must be on target's buddy list or not ignored on messenger. 
4. P2P Scan - sends a peer to peer file transfer request, bot must be on target's buddy list.
5. Primary ID Scanner - this checks to see if the ID you scanned is the primary or an alias. If it is an alias, it will also return the primary ID. Only works with the Avatar scan at this time!

Extra:

Your scanning selection will be stored so you do not have to keep selecting it when you launch YInformer.  If you use the Custom Scan, it will also store your custom message that you typed in!