I would like to recommend a more preferred way:
- Pick a nick name. Preferably one you will continue to use later as well.
- In the Channels entry form, type #arduino
- Ask the real questions that you actually have, since "Is there someone using xyz?" is not productive.
- Wait until you get a reply...
#Arduino is one of the most active and supportive IRC channels. The chances of getting little or no help are very small... but you might need to wait more than a few minutes.
To be honest... the T4NKxxx nicks drive us a bit nutty since we have difficulty making sure we are still talking to the same person.