Don't be afraid to be the guy asking, "How do I get my laptop keyboard controls working in arch." A lot of time great discussion will pop up from people trying to one-up each other in their perfect answer to that and you will either end up learning things you didn't know, or you can correct someone and others will learn from you. Just don't ask anything google can answer like, "what is 0xDECAFBAD in decimal?"
My favorite freenode channels: #gnu ##crypto ##javascript ##linux #perl #python #android ##math #latex #programming ##electronics
That said, I have liked some of the discussions in #angularjs - there are some smart regulars in the channel, and sometimes discussion veers into other topics of interest.
I used to go there. The complete lack of decency and empathy for anyone who is not a rich white man that subscribes to their cult has turned me away from IRC in general.
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Comment: Signed by Bitcoin Armory v0.92.3
RealSexySaffron is the Real Sexy Saffron ;)
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
HCrijlYlB4sliE7lm/kYNewmhP9n05fZ6aQ6fLtfEQTSEYqHENecvcJlNrEc/1YQ GFHb4UKyP0qvQOICjPzglyQ= =NCpw
-----END BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Comment: Signed by Bitcoin Armory v0.92.3
RealSexySaffron is the Real Sexy Saffron ;)
-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
HCrijlYlB4sliE7lm/kYNewmhP9n05fZ6aQ6fLtfEQTSEYqHENecvcJlNrEc/1YQ GFHb4UKyP0qvQOICjPzglyQ= =NCpw
-----END BITCOIN SIGNATURE-----
Very weird :)