Is it just me or is IRC a terrible way to get support? I've tried asking questions on IRC before- several different channels. They seem to be full of incompetent morons who spout alot of nonsense in an apparent attempt to cover their own inadequacies. OK well maybe I shouldn't analyze IRC chatters. Anyone know of a decent channel? It's hard trying to read with all those people talking over each other- 100 simultaneous conversations- it seems to be more of a circus than anything. I was just wondering - so far I'll stick with forums- there's not usually any instant gratification but it's alot more relaxed anyway. Of course you can always go back to a forum at any time you choose as well. Just my 3 cents worth.

Forums, books, and HOWTO or tutorial sites are the best.

I'm not a fan or IRC's for help either. It seems that when you ask a question in a general channel you are told to go to a help channel. When you get to the help channel it is full of people who are there everyday who just chat with each other. Shouldn't THEY be in the general channel. Its hypocricy at its finest.

I don't use it and if I do I go to distro specific channels which I find much more helpfull. The help channels are full of annoying people who act superior to all your questions.

#slackware
#c
#python
#emacs

yup.
they help a lot

I use

irc.freenode.net
and go to #scotlug

Its a scottish linux users group, and to be hgonest if it wasnt for them I would be totally lost. they have been a great help, and I have started to go out with them now and stuff which makes it even better. When new people arrive they are always helpful, and never rude.
I went to #Debian on the same network one night, and I ended up verbally fighting with a guy who though he was god, and was coming away with stupid remarks without even reading my question correctly.

I think it depends on the room you find.

irc.freenode.net
#linux
#linuxhelp
irc.chatjunkies.(net,org,com I can't remember...)
#slackware
#linux
#linuxhelp

I meander from time to time in any 1 of those, I think you'll find some other "LQers" there sometimes as well

As for help, I think irc.freenode.net #linuxhelp is a huge help. For specific fluxbox help, their IRC channel was very helpful as well (for a newb starting out anyway).

Cool

Thanks for the channels. I've tried out a few Debian channels and they were rude & crude. Who knows- maybe just an off nite. I'll try out a few of the other ones mentioned here. Certainly sometimes I'd love to have an answer right away and IRC seems to be the way to get it. Thanks again.