First a distinction. AOL has content within it that's different from the content on the World Wide Web. While the Web is available to everyone, AOL provides information available only to its members.

Lots of beginners and experienced users choose America Online as their Internet service provider (ISP). AOL has its own browser and search engine integrated within the AOL interface. In other words, when you open up AOL and sign on, you can click "Internet" and be taken, all within AOL, to a tool that lets you search and browse the Internet. You can use these tools or you can use one of the browsers (Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) we mentioned previously.
It is advised to use one of the common browsers, not the AOL browser. Which one you choose is mainly a personal matter. Play with both, see which one feels easier or looks better. They're both free. As you get more involved with computing, you'll probably develop strong feelings about one or the other. You will notice some differences between the two as far as special features and support go, but your surfing experience should be pretty much the same.

If you want to search within AOL's content, click on the "keyword" button on the AOL start page, type in your subject and see what AOL has to offer.