Unofficial perlmonks.com IRC Channel

But obviously, you don't want to hit 'Reload' in your browser constantly to see if the "Newest Nodes" page displays any new XP-worthy inquiries.

Instead, just subscribe to one of the following IRC channels on irc.freenode.net:

#pm2irc

Posts all questions and answers: /join #pm2irc

#pm2ircnew

Posts new questions only: /join #pm2ircnew

Links to all messages are conveniently displayed as clickable links, just select one and your browser will jump right to the appropriate node, where you'll be able to post a reply immediately.

Connecting

To connect to one of the aforementioned IRC channels, I find it easiest to use Gaim, a universal IM client, which happens to also support IRC.

To create an IRC screen name with freenode.net, go to Tools->Accounts and click Add in the opening dialog. This lets you fill in a server (use irc.freenode.net) and a "Screen Name":

After going Online with this account in the Accounts dialog, go back to the main window and choose Buddies->Join a Chat:

In the dialog, select your IRC nickname from the dropdown menu and then enter the channel (#pm2irc or #pm2ircnew) you want to join:

Then click Join and a channel dialog will pop up, showing your fellow Perlmonks and the pm2irc bot serving up the latest news from perlmonks.com, along with clickable links.

Have fun!

-- Mike

P.S.: This script runs the show on a PC somewhere in San Francisco. Ideally, this would be running on the perlmonks site itself, so if you want to grab the script and provide that service, please go ahead!