ALT + O - IRC - Show in Active - Whois.

Works wonderfully for me.

/whois nickname - when not on the same server, displays all their information except idle time.

/whois nickname nickname - when not on the same server displays idle time and all information.

/whois 0 nickname - returns an error in the status window, because thats where error messages belong. ('No such server') - which is correct.

Eamonn.