diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 94cf4c0..242562a 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ More often, however, you'll want to register your spec with ImageKit:
 .. code-block:: python
 
     from imagekit import specs
-    specs.register('myapp:fancy_thumbnail', Thumbnail)
+    specs.register(Thumbnail, 'myapp:fancy_thumbnail')
 
 Once a spec is registered with a unique name, you can start to take advantage of
 ImageKit's powerful utilities to automatically generate images for you...
diff --git a/imagekit/specs/__init__.py b/imagekit/specs/__init__.py
index 0e10c65..af627d2 100644
--- a/imagekit/specs/__init__.py
+++ b/imagekit/specs/__init__.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class SpecRegistry(object):
             signal.connect(self.source_receiver)
         before_access.connect(self.before_access_receiver)
 
-    def register(self, id, spec):
+    def register(self, spec, id):
         if id in self._specs:
             raise AlreadyRegistered('The spec with id %s is already registered' % id)
         self._specs[id] = spec
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class SpecHost(object):
 
         """
         self.spec_id = id
-        registry.register(id, self._original_spec)
+        registry.register(self._original_spec, id)
 
     def get_spec(self, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -244,15 +244,7 @@ class SpecHost(object):
 
 
 registry = SpecRegistry()
-
-
-def register(id, spec=None):
-    if not spec:
-        def decorator(cls):
-            registry.register(id, cls)
-            return cls
-        return decorator
-    registry.register(id, spec)
+register = registry.register
 
 
 def unregister(id, spec):