how to fix a cell?

[SCHMIDT_B at KIDS.WUSTL.EDU]

Pleas forgive my ignorance and enlighten me...

I am lost in the variety of techniques available for fixing a cell for 
immunofluoresnent staining. Methanol, ethanol, acetone, paraformaldehyde, 
formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde. What is the differenece in the way of fixation?
Is there any chance to choose the right method on the basis of what you know 
about your target protein or is it just trial and error?

Thanks for your thougts in advance, 
Bela