IRC – How to register your nick.

Problem:
Was trying to join #django IRC on freenode but was getting this error. (using pidgin).

Cannot join #django: Registration is required.
Cannot join channel (+r) – you need to be identified with services

Solution:
Join any other room. Then type
/msg nickserv register [your-password] [your-email-address]
And email will be send to your address with instructions on how to register. eg
/msg NickServ VERIFY REGISTER [system-generated-password]

Once that is done. You can now join the desired chat.
/join #django

/quit will disconnect you.

If you log in again. You will get the following message.

(04:57:17 AM) NickServ: (notice) This nickname is registered. Please choose a different nickname, or identify via /msg NickServ identify .

Type
/msg NickServ identify [your-password]
You have to use the same password that you registered with. (Not the system generated one, the other one :-))

More info:
http://gallery.forgotten-beauty.com/Nickserv.html
http://freenode.net/faq.shtml