i don't know if there are irc networks that require nick registratin, but there for sure are channels on freenode that you can't enter without a registered nick.

but that's not the issue. the issue is that i can't maintain a global identity, and that i have to add each network into any configuration instead of just sending a message to anyone on any network without creating an identity on that network (even if it's just picking a nickname).

some of this could be worked around in the client if the client has an uptodate list of irc networks so that sending a message to embee@freenode would automatically connect your client to freenode, make you pick a nickname and send the message.

hmm, that's an interresting thought experiment.

how could this be made seamless without inviting spam.