Abstract: A method for conducting a contest using a network is provided. Displayed, on a practical screen of a user computer operably connected to the network at a user site, is a plurality of pick spaces, a virtual television set including a first virtual screen, and a virtual computer including a second virtual screen. The apparent area of the first virtual screen constitutes a first display area of the practical screen for showing successive images selected from a first plurality of images. A preselected one of the first plurality of images is designated a lesson image. The apparent area of the second virtual screen constitutes a second display area of the practical screen showing a rolling counter. The rolling counter depicts successive ones of a plurality of available characters, each character being displayed in the rolling counter for a preselected duration.