For AOL users:
Because AOL does not try to handle abusive users, Starchat has decided to force AOL users have a registered nick. Since you can't issue commands without a registered nick, you must pre-register your nick. Once you have a registered nick, you must issue a special command to have your text seen.
Please note that you must use a valid AOL e-mail address in the registration process, but this is only for the registration. You are not required to use that e-mail address when you configure your IRC client. Unfortunately, the registration process can be slow. Once you fill out the registration form, you must wait for an e-mail. It can take a few hours or even a day to get this e-mail. You must then reply to the e-mail per instructions in that e-mail. Once you reply, the process is quick and you should be able to connect. Once connected, be sure to identify using the special command "/quote identify {password}". Where {password} is the phrase you provided on pre-registering.