$$?="test $network "

This shows a message box and cannot be used in a script event. Best to just echo the window with normal text and identifiers. $nick . $network . $server . $me . $scid($cid).mnick

Also, right before you connect you can set nick. /nick newnick

Like,

server -n irc.server.net | nick <nickname> | server irc.server.net

This will open a new status window and crate a cid for the new connection but not connect to it. Then set nick and connect to server.