Abstract: A computerized method and system for creating test items by generating variants from a test item model, comprising the steps of creating a new test item model by identifying elements of an initial test item or test item model to be variabilized, variabilizing the elements thereby creating test item variables, indicating values the variables can assume, defining the variables, and generating test item variants utilizing a simultaneous constraint solver. The initial test item can be a pre-existing test item or test item model, a newly created test item or even a conceptual template in the mind of the test item creator. The generated test item variants are displayed to the test item creator. The test item creator can store and forward acceptable test item variants for later use as test items. Test item models can be stored for later use in generating new test item variants.

Abstract: A remote client computer performance/compatibility querying and certification system allows a server to remotely gather performance/capability information from a client computer, such as its processor class or family, display resolution capability, installed software components, peripheral devices, or the type and version of its operating system, and determine whether it is capable of accessing and utilizing an on-line service via a communication network. The performance/capability information is gathered using a querying program downloaded from the server and running on the client computer. The querying program queries the system/component registry of the client computer's operating system using, e.g., one or more application program interface function calls. The gathered performance/capability information is used to, e.g.

Abstract: A remote client computer performance/compatibility querying and certification system allows a server to remotely query a client computer over a communication network to gather performance/capability information of the client computer, e.g., the processor class or family, the type and the version of the operating system, display resolution capability, installed software components, peripheral devices connected to the client computer and/or the like, and determines whether the client computer is capable of accessing and utilizing an on-line service available over the communication network. The performance/capability information is gathered by the use of a querying program downloaded from the server, and running on the client computer. The querying program may query, e.g., through one or more application program interface (API) function calls, the system/component registry of the operating system of the client computer. The gathered performance/capability information may be used, e.g.