THIS is why the IRC channel needs to be right up there in the corner next to twitter and shop. Polycount DOES have an IRC and it is nearly always active. It is very easy to join and there is even a web client.
Posted in the lola thread, someone stated some of you hang out in #md? Which server is that on? Or where do you hang out? I'm idling in irc on etg, and gamesurge every day.. thought I'd add another channel to that lineup.
I think the hangouts and the IRC wont be too much competition. I'll probably just be in IRC most/all the time to give instant help or crit, and I'll try to populate the hangout when actually working.