Likewise no issues with the website, but IRC seems to be on the fritz or at least the usual way I signed in was.
After studying the Arkaz wiki all day I finally figured out how to make the following work for me. Just put in one of these underlined addresses instead of the auto connecting one, based on your own location, and it should connect. Then type '/join #arkaz' and poof you can join the party.
irc://stratics.frws.com USA, Colorado Ports: 6667 6668 7000
irc://irc.gamers-irc.org USA, Colorado Ports: 6667 6668 7000
irc://stratics.afraidyet.net USA, Texas Ports: 6667 6668
irc://irc.glowfish.de EU, Germany Ports: 6667 6668
Not sure what the Port part means, I didn't have to put in anything like that anywhere.
Link to the wiki just in case:
http://www.arkaz.com/lore/index.php?title=IRC