If, as America Online claims, AOL users have their fingers on the pulse of America, it's worth noting what the world's largest interactive services company's members want to know in this world of war on terrorism and an uncertain economy. News from Afghanistan? Osama bin Laden? Mutual funds? Well, not exactly.

The Dulles, Va.-based AOL, the wholly-owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner with 32 million subscribers, recently reviewed its most popular search terms and message boards for 2001 and the answer is: Britney Spears, although you'll be glad to know Barbie's still got legs as the most searched for toy item.

Other items of great interest to AOL members were boy bands, the Grammy awards, dogs and cats, Brad and Jennifer, and Survivor: Australian Outback. Politics weren't very popular but President George W. Bush did lead in the search category for "George."

Spears led the AOL people searches followed by Nostradamus, Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, Martha Stewart, Aaliyah, Lil Bow Wow, Eminem, Pamela Anderson and bin Laden.

In the toy department, Barbie proved she's still a classic by achieving the top spot as AOL's most searched toy in 2001. Following Barbie were Legos, Scooters, Beanie Babies, Hot Wheels, Go Peds, Hello Kitty, radio controlled cars, and marbles.

AOL's top poll questions included (1.) Should We Rebuild the World Trade Center? 58 percent thought yes; (2.) Will U.S. Catch Osama bin Laden? 42 percent said Very Likely; (3.) Where Will Britney Be in Five Years? 35 percent said she will be Mrs. Timberlake; (4.) Do You Support the Military Strikes in Afghanistan? 91 percent voted Yes; and 5) Have You Flown a Flag Since Sept. 11th? 86 percent said Yes.

Rounding the top ten poll questions were (6.) Who is Your Favorite Pop Star? 55 percent voted Britney Spears; (7.) What is Your Favorite Breed of Dog? 26 percent voted for the Labrador retriever; (8.) What is Your Favorite Baby Name of 2001? 25 percent said Michael for a boy and 30 percent said Madison for a girl; (9.) Which Rules: Cats vs. Dogs 61 percent responded that dogs rule the universe; and (10.)Who Do You Think is the Most Powerful Woman in America? 73 percent said Katie Couric.

AOL's top message boards for 2001 were (1.) Dieting, (2.) Politics of Ireland, (3.) Israel Politics, (4.) Politics of the United States, (5.) Pregnancy, (6.) Infertility, (7.) Dale Earnhardt, (8.) America Under Attack: How is the President Handling the Crisis, (9.) Big Brother 2, and (10.) New York Mets. America Strikes was the most popular overall area, however the listed individual message boards received the largest number of postings.

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Members chatted online with their favorite musicians, movie stars, and television personalities in 2001. While "watch and chats" were popular, the star power of Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Janet Jackson got AOL members talking.

The most popular chats were (1.) Grammy Awards Watch & Chat, (2.) American Music Awards Watch & Chat, (3.) Hollywood's Big Night 2001 (Oscars), (4.) Jennifer Love Hewitt, (5.) Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, (6.) Janet Jackson, (7.) Survivor: Australian Outback Watch & Chat, (8.) Blink 182, (9.) Aaron Carter, and (10.) MTV VMA Watch & Chat

As for boy bands, Justin, Joey, Lance, JC and Chris proved that they are 'N Sync, by being the most searched band on AOL this year.