The last time my family gathered around the computer was the first time I fired up "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego." It was that long ago. The other day it happened again when I fired up "Britannica Quizmaster," a CD for Windows PCs that tests your knowledge in just about every topic under the sun.
You choose an area you want to by quizzed on -- literature, sports, science, audio/visual, geography, history and random subjects -- choose among three levels of difficulty and whether you want your session to be timed (three minutes per question is the default) and are then presented with a series of multiple choice questions/answers. You get points for each correct answer.
Each test takes about 10 minutes, and when it's over, you get the correct answers. Here it gets really interesting. Whether your answer was right or wrong, you can click on a link for more information, either on screen or at the Encyclopedia Britannica website.
The music category has sound clips of instruments or audio clips that provide hints to the correct answer. In one category you actually get an audio-visual clip based on the question.
By the time I went to my second category (random questions), the entire family and most of my neighbors had gathered around the computer, offering answers. OK, I'm exaggerating about my neighbors, but our ditzy standard poodle was there, barking when appropriate. I was heartened to learn that my kids were proficient in most of the areas in which I was deficient.
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It's been a long time since family time was this much fun -- and educational. It's polished, easy to navigate and, of course, encyclopedic.
"Britannica Quizmaster" will run on Windows7, Vista and XP. To order, send $20, plus $6 for shipping, to WashingtonCD, PO Box 351531, Los Angeles, CA 90035, or online at www.washingtoncd.net .
