Hi Ian I have been trying to get this to work this morning with a clear head, but just can't. It just doesn't seem to be doing it right and the numbers appear what seems almost totally random. (Certainly not by activity). I&ve put it back to abc for now..
Do I need to change something else, or, .... any ideas?

Thank you
You also asked about the sort order....
in cache_builders/online_now.php
change
$query = "
SELECT t1.USER_ID, t1.USER_DISPLAY_NAME, t1.USER_MEMBERSHIP_LEVEL, t2.USER_NAME_COLOR, t2.USER_VISIBLE_ONLINE_STATUS
FROM {$config['TABLE_PREFIX']}USERS as t1
LEFT JOIN {$config['TABLE_PREFIX']}USER_PROFILE as t2
ON t1.USER_ID = t2.USER_ID
WHERE t1.USER_ID in ( ? ) AND t1.USER_ID <> 1
order by t1.USER_DISPLAY_NAME asc
";
to
$query = "
SELECT t1.USER_ID, t1.USER_DISPLAY_NAME, t1.USER_MEMBERSHIP_LEVEL, t2.USER_NAME_COLOR, t2.USER_VISIBLE_ONLINE_STATUS
FROM {$config['TABLE_PREFIX']}USERS as t1
LEFT JOIN {$config['TABLE_PREFIX']}USER_PROFILE as t2
ON t1.USER_ID = t2.USER_ID
WHERE t1.USER_ID in ( ? ) AND t1.USER_ID <> 1
order by t2.USER_VISIBLE_ONLINE_STATUS asc
";