[kitteh]

There are plenty of presentations out there. See nanog, ripe.

The books are meh because they're not written by operators. They're more academic and dated.

Plenty of clueful folks on the right IRC channels.

[hpkuarg]

Second time in this thread you've mentioned the right IRC channels. Does one need to invoke some secret code to find out what they are? :-)

[kazen44]

usually these channels are either invite only (for members of a NOG for example) or are very, very hard to find if you don't know the proper people.

[rolph]

in certain instances, yes depending on the nature or subject matter of the channel

ok lets go for broke, there are a LOT of clandestine IRC servers and exclusive gatekeeping of channels. you wont know about unless you have an IRL reference

[stoops]

The first rule of Fight Club is that you don't talk about Fight Club.