Here's a little background. I'm a computer science major that knows just enough C++ to keep passing 200-level quizzes and exams. I've been writing Ruby for about a month, and while I love it, I still feel as if I barely know it. I'm brand-new to the world of *nix/OSX, but I find myself using these technologies every day at work. I was lucky enough to get a job as the systems administrator at a small business, but I only have the job because I know the owner and I'm good at "fixing computers" (i.e., taking care of everyday troubleshooting issues that arise in an office populated by computer-illiterate middle-aged women using Windows XP). I'm a fast learner, so I've been picking up on things quite rapidly, but there's still a vast universe of things that I don't know.
I'm also a moderator on a larger forum that deals with electronic music production. I'm fairly knowledgable about how Internet etiquette works, and I know firsthand how annoying it can sometimes be if you feel as if a member of a community is just taking and taking and taking, but not giving anything back. This isn't so bad on a music production forum - it's not hard to contribute to the community, even if you're completely new - an easy way to get 'cred' is to review other people's music and leave feedback, and that requires basically no skill. However, here, well... there's not much I can do. I try to post on Audio when I can, but 95% of my posts on SE are work-related, and you all have saved my butt more times than I can count.
I just guess I feel bad, because I'm not giving anything back to the community. I'd answer questions and such, but every time I check the front page, everything is way over my head. I've become what I hate - some random guy who takes and takes from the community but doesn't give back - but not out of laziness.
How, then, is the attitude towards such people on SE? How does that social aspect work? Is it okay for me to ask a lot of questions here, even though I can't really be of much help to anyone yet?
Thanks for your time.
EDIT: Thank you all so much for such an overwhelmingly helpful and positive reaction to this question. I'd mark all of your answers as the 'correct' answer if SO would let me. You all are good people.