The whois information is not always correct. This can be useful if you need to ask someone for an invitation. When one jumps into a forum that, at best estimate, draws from a userbase of more than 80,000 users worldwide, it's a good idea to follow a few simple rules. Respect the rules of the channel. Join, wait until you understand the customs, then talk.
Some channels are noisy, some channels are silent.
Be aware that other people may use the same nickname. Think before you speak. If something offends you, ignore it. Like many internet resources, there is just too much of IRC to cover in one article.