My guide to setting up HexChat for IRC and registering your nick name

[The Solyom]

OK, here's how I installed and configured HexChat

Install HexChat from http://hexchat.githu.../downloads.html It's free
Download and install visual C++ (if not already installed on your computer)
Run HexChat
Type in your Nick name (be aware it may already be used)
Choose "freenode" from "Networks"
Click "Edit" then "Servers" then "irc.freenode.net" then tick "Connect to selected server only" and "Connect to this network automatically"
Click "Autojoin channels", click "#channel" then Edit and change to #shadowera
then "Close"

Click "Connect" and you should be connected to the Shadow Era channel

To register your nick name:
Type "/msg NickServ REGISTER password youremail@example.com" without quotes into the chat box changing "password" and your email address as needed.
Check your email and follow the instructions
To keep your email address private, rather than displaying it publicly, mark it as hidden (which is done by default for new accounts):
/msg NickServ SET HIDEMAIL ON

With hex still open press Ctrl-S
select freenode and click edit
Untick "Use Global User Information"
Add your nick name
Change "login method" to NickServ (/NICKSERV + password)
Add your password
Click "Close"
Hopefully you will auto connect to the shadow era channel and your nick name should be yours (if it wasn't taken)

Images for reference:

Hex-chat-settings.png

To enable sound notifications:
Go Settings/preferences/Alerts
Tick whichever alerts you want.

Many thanks to AA1 SkinnyPuppy for advice on registering nick names

[Veles]

Thanks for the guide. I am sure it will be useful for new people.

[The Solyom]

Would have been very useful to me lol. Spent hours trying to figure out all the settings as I've never used IRC before.
Hope it helps people.