Are you sick of all the sugary sweet books touting the wonders of AOL?AOL in a Nutshell breaks through the hype as the definitive reference for advanced AOL users and sophisticated beginners. Unlike other AOL books, this one cuts through the glossy banter and gets right to the details. AOL often buries its best features to make the software "easier." We show you how to uncover these powerful features to unlock AOL 4.0's surprising potential.

Where most other AOL books try to teach only the basics of AOL, AOL in a Nutshell is a detailed reference that enables AOL users to make informed choices as they use the software and the service. We answer all the questions -- not just the most common ones -- in a no-nonsense, easy-to-understand reference style.

This book is for anyone who's getting bored by AOL or for members who don't feel it meets their expectations. We show you how to get the most out of each of AOL's tools, including Buddy Lists, Instant Messages, email, chat, message boards, newsgroups, and AOL's integrated Web browser. We cover features that many AOL users shy away from due to lack of documentation, such as FTP, Telnet, and alternative Web browsers.

Most entries are accompanied by a list of benefits and drawbacks, so you can decide for yourself how to use each feature. It's an informative and honest book that shows you how to use and modify AOL to suit your needs, not the needs of AOL.

You'll learn how to:

• Customize AOL so it works the way you want it to
• Work around scores of annoying idiosyncrasies
• Avoid unwanted email and Instant Messages
• Actually understand Parental Controls

Each topic is divided into concise, distinct chapters, designed to help you find the information you want at a glance. You can use it as a day-to-day quick reference, or go further in-depth with the extensive cross-referencing system that makes it easy to teach yourself. It's an indispensable guide for users who aren't dummies.