There are like, five or ten questions you never ask in most IRC channels (because they've heard them 100000 times and are sick to death of it). Do some googling and wiki on IRC etiquette before entering and you'll be more successful. Also remember that IRC chan are like tribes: each one has its own set of taboos which if violated means they feast on your bits.
That IRC snippet is interesting.... I'm getting this odd feeling that AnimeExpo may spurt out some licensing agreements that leaves sub watchers moaning and rending their garments.