io uso questo... però non so come si comporta con i vari browser...

codice:
<script>
if (document.layers)
document.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEOVER | Event.MOUSEOUT | Event.MOUSEDOWN | Event.MOUSEUP | Event.BLUR | Event.CLICK | Event.SUBMIT)
document.onmouseover=hidestatus
document.onmouseout=hidestatus
document.onmousedown=hidestatus
document.onmouseup=hidestatus
document.onblur=hidestatus
document.onclick=hidestatus
document.onsubmit=hidestatus

function hidestatus(){
window.status="ciao"
return true
}
</script>