f_text (text)
window.status=text

body onLoad=f_text("text");

source:

<script language="JavaScript">
<!--
// please keep these lines on when you copy the source
// made by: Nicolas - http://www.javascript-page.com

function f_text(txt) {
   window.status = txt;
}
// -->
</script>
<body onLoad="f_text('This is what the Window Statusbar does.');">
1