FYI.. most get kick/banned from #perl because a) they don't read the rules of the channel (summarized in the channel topic), and b) get nasty when someone points them to docs instead of writing things for them.

(efnet) #perl is not a Perl-help channel. It is a place for people who like Perl to gather and hang out. Noone there feels obligated to help, since that is not the purpose of the channel.

I just wanted to clarify that :)

Would all the time on Perl Monks/IRC/newsgroups be better spent in front of a book and/or a text editor?

I don't think so. I think that real-time (or near real-time) communication with others doing what you are is invaluable. I spend time here, #perl on 2 different networks, and various mailing lists. I think if I didn't, my Perl knowlege would have been stunted because I couldn't learn by interacting (or even lurking) with others.

Cheers,
KM