To cut down on "LFG" messages and such, perhaps an interface that allowed you to set your status and view other's status would be helpful. Information such as Class, LFM (type), LFG, Mission, Mission & Bonus, Quest (name), that kind of stuff. That way, people could just refer to the list to build their party.
On the other hand, there may be complications with people going AFK and such. Then again, "Idle" could be a secondary status as well.
Just a thought. The current way of doing things works for me.
Character In-Town Status
Gammadon