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.