IRC newbie needs detailed "How To" directions for freenode.net connection with OS X IRC app

I use Adium for IRC on freenode it's fairly easy to setup plus you can configure other IM Chat protocols. You can just add the join channel commands etc under options when setting up the account.

http://adium.im/

I'd go with xchat aqua - most flavours of xchat have freenode preconfigured. Once you've connected to the server, you can use /msg nickserv register to register a nick.

Screenshots from a windows build but they ALL work the same, so they will work.

Most xchat builds seem to be preconfigured to go to a specific channel on freenode, and have a bunch of channels added. Normally it will pop up a network list window (alternately this is under xchat -> network list ). At this point fill in your preferred nick, two alternates and a username and another name. check if freenode is on your default user list, and clock on edit. That will open the edit server window (to the right) - if it isn't hit the + button, create a new server option and fill in the data as below. Any options here will override the global settings, so you can set a per server username.

Add the channels you want to autoconnect to under favourite channels (they will normally be called #something) . Leave the nickserv password blank. Click close and connect.

Once connected, you will want to register your nickname. Assuming it isn't already registered by someone, you can register the nickname you have now with the command /msg nickserv REGISTER password email

Now go back to the network list and add your password under nickserv password to automatically use that password.

Now that that works, you can turn on logging if it isn't already under 'preferences -> logging'. If you want to connect to a server without it being on your network list, you can use /server servername and join channels not on autoconnect with /join #channelname

Let me know if there's anything else i need to add, and i'll update the answer.