Istimsak, I will go over connecting to the irc server with you on our next conversation.

ben wrote:

It's pretty empty there, maybe due to my timezone (GMT+1), I'll try to connect in the afternoon/evening, maybe I'll find more US folks there...

The irc server is used on demand to help individuals with time sensitive information. Generally there is no one in there unless we prompt a discussion to be moved into the irc channel.

I used to log the channel 24/7, but, and I forget when, probably around the time that Linux.com went down, I stopped watching it, and haven't looked at it since.
Between Fedora and siduction and some of my old tech friends I have 10 IRC channels being logged 24/7 on a dedicated computer. There really is no need to have a dedicated channel unless you are offering 24/7 support. Just logging on to either oftc or freenode, you can create a temporary channel, and use it for whatever hand holding you need to do.

Actually, if your not using an IRC channel for 24/7 support, using Google Talk or Google Hangout is probably a better way to help someone out, as it's more personal and easier to use.

OK, I've spent my 2 cents. (It only cost 2 cents to get into this old thread, heh)