|
By JIM BROOKS If you or someone you know is studying for a test -- from the SAT or GRE to civil service and I.Q tests -- you'll find nearly every conceivable test online at www.test.com. In fact, Test.com's slogan boasts "Every Test in the Known Universe" -- and they don't miss it by much. The way Test.com works is quite simple: You create an account and are charged for the tests you take while online. The tests are copies of official tests, and the costs are inexpensive, especially if your academic or employment future depends on it. Your account is charged for the tests as you take them. Credits are purchased in blocks of 100, which will set you back $10. This may sound pricey; however it isn't that expensive because many of the tests only cost 10 credits -- 10 cents -- per test section. And you can preview every test before you decide to pay and complete it. Test.com will score your test and give you the results -- which will review all of your answers and detail which one was correct. And a number of tests are free -- a St. Patrick's Day test was the current test promoted on the Test.com home page. If you've followed recent political events coming out of Washington, you'll want to test your knowledge by taking the The Kenneth Starr Test (which looks at the history of Starr's investigation and how well versed you are on the Independent Council Act. I barely broke 50 percent on the Starr test, but English gurus will enjoy testing their punctuation skills in the Comma Club, a 20-question test on proper comma usage (where I scored slightly better). You'll find tests covering a vast number of topics, covering physical and social sciences as well as a section devoted to younger test takers. For more information, visit Test.com online at www.test.com and prepare to test yourself. THE SUB WAY. If you're a fan of deli sandwiches, you'll want to visit the corporate Web site for Blimpie International. This is a superbly designed Web site if you're interested in page design; if you're more interested in food, you'll want to make your fist stop a clickable ad that'll give you a free lunch at your local Blimpie store. Note that you'll be required to input your demographic information to get your free Blimpie sandwich, as well as answer who you'd rather share it with (I chose Cindy Crawford). Blimpie fans can also participate in their current design-your-own-Blimpie online sub contest, but be aware these offers are only good for a limited time. The site gets high marks as a source of financial and franchising information for the company, as well as the other services they offer, which include catering and a detailed menu listing. A locator map gives you easy directions to your closest Blimpie, including the one at 3100 Ring Road in Elizabethtown. Visit Blimpie Online at www.blimpie.com. ZAP ALERT. If you were awakened a few nights ago to the sound of thunder, you'll want to make note that thunderstorm season is just around the corner. Surge protectors are an absolute necessity for your computer equipment. If you're connected to a phone line, surge protectors are available for phone line. The better surge protectors will protect both your AC lines and the telephone lines from surges. But no surge protector can protect your computer and equipment from a very close lightning strike. If you're at home and a thunderstorm is heading your way, it's cheap insurance to unplug ALL of your computer equipment and disconnect the telephone line. I've had two televisions damaged by nearby lightning strikes, while my computer remained plugged in just a few feet away. I was very lucky, but I don't plan on putting fate to the test the next time lightning heads my way. Comments and questions about this column may be sent to jbrooks@myoldkentuckyhome.com, or visit www.myoldkentuckyhome.com on the World Wide Web. | HOME | |