| #perl is actually about Perl , some of the time. It is not a help desk; you can't run in with a question, display total ignorance of the issues, and still expect to have your problem solved; but on average, the regulars are helpful and patient; what is more, they may discuss Perl among themselves. This owes much to the fact that a source of easy answers to easy questions is only a few keystrokes away: purl.
PS there is now an officiously sanctionized
Perl help channel: #perl-help. | 
