I too am a newbie and have a few questions.
I always tell people I am only half nerd/geek.
I pretty much get the basics of it.

I have been told that IRC chat is a nice powerful tool for connecting with other business orientated people.
I was hoping to meet new contacts this way.

It almost sounds like I have to have already met a contact with their own IRC channel/room.
I was hoping I could use some sort of search box to connect with other business owners, loan officers, private investors, people interested in joint ventures.

If anyone has a simple solution to this. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for listening