How about it if we had several groups in Friends that aren't "real groups"? (Sorry for the short proposal - connection went out when I finished my original proposal >.>)
For example, group A has perms to see me online, find me on the map, beeps with sound A when the window is minimized or when I get another message from them. Group B has no perms, and doesn't beep unless I have less than X conversations open.
And, that we could see the "group", like an ICQ buddy list:
Friends ->
----Someone somebody
----John Doe
----Kitty Kit
Co-workers ->
----Bossy Boss
----SomeComputer Fanatic
----SomeoneThatWorksNextTo Mii
Family ->
----Mama Mona
----Dade Blade
----Dada ili
And those are not real of course '_ lol.