Consumer Reports Online Gives a Behind-the-Scenes Cybertour of Its Testing Labs.

YONKERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1998--

Join Consumer Reports' engineers at www.ConsumerReports.org on a

first-time virtual photo tour of the world's largest independent

consumer product testing lab

For the first time, Consumer Reports Online offers a virtual behind-the-scenes look at how products are tested at Consumer Reports's state-of-the-art product-testing laboratories. In a free photo tour at www.ConsumerReports.org, visitors can see a sampling of 10 labs, and learn how scientists and engineers put products through their paces at the largest independent consumer product testing laboratory in the world.

"We are delighted to open our labs to Web surfers," says Nancy Macagno, Director of New Media at Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. "With a click on our Home page at www.ConsumerReports.org, cybertourists can see some of the 400 people who work there every day - to test products, inform the public, and protect consumer interests." In its 50 labs, Consumer Reports tests everything from air conditioners to ziti.

On the tour, visitors will find:

- Treadmills - To test durability, Consumer Reports built a device

affectionately dubbed "Johnny Walker." Its eight "feet" run for

50 hours each, at a rate of 6 mph. - Elliptical exercisers - These are new exercise machines that

feature orbital lower-body motion and a push/pull upper-body

motion. In the lab, we test for the user's functional response to

a workout, as well as design and ease of use. - Loudspeakers - Electronic performance of loudspeakers is tested

in the audio labs, which include a listening room and the

anechoic (without echo) chamber. - Digital cameras - You can make digital images with a new kind of

camera that looks like a compact camera but works more like a

camcorder and stores images on a memory card smaller than a

credit card. How good is their print quality? In Consumer

Reports's labs, prints are judged for clarity and color accuracy. - Dishwashers - In order to test dishwashers fairly, 113 items -

dishes, flatware and glasses - are uniformly dirtied and placed

in each dishwasher to test its performance. Typical testing takes

place over three to six months, depending on the project. - Microwave ovens - These are tested annually. The "cheese on

bread" test demonstrates how food on a microwave turntable tends

to cook more around the edges. - Compact fluorescent lighting - Why pay $10 to $15 for a compact

fluorescent lightbulb when you can buy a "regular" incandescent 

bulb for under 50(cents)? Because the real cost of light is the

electricity the bulb uses - and compact fluorescents are

economical. See how panelists make comparative judgments. - Sensory testing - which requires the use of human judgments and

assessments on food-tasting as well as nonfood projects, in this

case, vacuum cleaners. - Large luggage - Each piece of luggage is placed in the tumbling

machine for up to 1,000 cycles (if it can last that long). This

test illustrates the bags' weaknesses and design flaws. - Paint - Testers evaluate paint for hiding power, how it looks

when applied, mar resistance, and touch-up performance. We also

test deck stains, which are exposed outdoors.

"This virtual tour of our labs is the latest addition to the unique content we provide at www.ConsumerReports.org," says Macagno. "For example, our message boards are a destination where subscribers can exchange questions and comments with each other. And on a scheduled basis, Consumer Reports's engineers in various fields, from cell phones to hair dye for example, participate in online message boards. We have interactive worksheets that help consumers choose the best products and services for their individual needs, and special information hubs that provide one-stop seasonal information, so consumers don't have to waste time looking around the whole Internet for good advice. And the archives of Consumer Reports magazine has recently been expanded from 24 to 36 months of back reports."

Designed to serve the interests of consumers, the site offers two levels of usage: All visitors can get solid consumer advice for free; paid site subscribers can receive unique product and service ratings and recommendations. There are two types of subscriptions: a $24 annual subscription (current subscribers to Consumer Reports magazine can join for $19 a year); or, a monthly subscription for $2.95.

"Our subscriptions have grown steadily since we started the site in November, 1997, and we expect to reach 200,000 paid subscribers by the end of this year," says Macagno.

The material above is intended for use by legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports Online (www.ConsumerReports.org) is the Web site of Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information-gathering organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.