...and so it's time to play a game!

But not just any game: we recommend Johnny Money, which simulates running a small business. (Register, and ignore the stuff about "Class Code".) Each month is a turn. You have to peddle your wares, pay your bills, compensate your creditors: in short, you must run your own business.

There are only six products you can sell, but the game is otherwise remarkably detailed. Adjust your mark-up; pick your advertising budget; decide how much you want to borrow from the bank (the bigger the loan, the higher the interest rate--just like in real life!).

There's liability insurance, there's rent, there's a tax on profit. The only difference form real life is that instead of calculating all of these figures and taking your own inventory, the computer does it for you. Well, there is one other difference from real life--it's only a game--but who's counting?

We're warning you, it is kind of addictive. But at least you can console yourself with the thought that you may very well be learning something.