I cannot access CPAN from work, and it sucks because the IT folks don't understand why... (It used to work, I've complained repeatedly, and still... nothing... ) apparently it is not blocked content, but simply attempting to access it causes a Network Error while connecting with the DNS server.

Use of one the gazillion mirrors?

or read CPAN's help on a given module, I can't.

Well, if you have the package installed, you have the manual page. No need for the network then!