 |
|
Summary RRP: $199 Publisher/distributor: Microsoft Format: PC CD-ROM Rating: 5 stars Comment: An essential reference tool for all ages Encarta broght encyclopdias into the cyber-age back in 1994 It was one of the first interactive electronic encyclopedias, and certainly the most popular. Microsoft wowed newcomers to multimedia with a glitzy presentation full of video and sound clips that brought to life what were previously dusty books. Encarta has evolved over the five years since that first effort. It no longer relies so much on glitz, and nowadays aims to be seen more as a serious reference work. At times, in fact, you could be forgien for thinking the latest version looks distinctly like some parts of its major rival, Britannica. The Encarta Reference Suite now takes up six CDs comprising the core Encarta Encyclopedia, an interactive World Atlas and a new World English Dictionary that has both United States and English spellings. At first glance there seem to be fewer photographs and video clips, but this appearance is deceptive. While this version has 100 fewer video clips than last year's, there are actually more than 1000 extra photographs in the whole suite. The missing video clips have been replaced by other multimedia elements, including a big increase in the number of virtual tours, and several new virtual flyovers. The impression that there are fewer graphics is due to the new, cleaner layout, which makes the articles a lot easier to read. Anybody who has used previous versions of Encarta may take a little time to get used to it, and the fact that you often have to open photographs separately can be annoying, but this is a definite improvement. The main area of improvement is in localising the content. There are now thousands of articles, illustraitions, photographs and maps relating to Australia. One of the best ways to find them is to call up an interactive map of Australia from the World Atlas and click on any of the hundreds of hotspots. There are articles on a surprising number of small towns and areas of interest, but if your interest is other than geographic you can search either the encyclopedia or the impressive new dictionary. The virtual flyover of Australia and New Zealand gives users an unusual view of the topography of the two countries and although it is not strictly accurate (there's no snow on New Zealand's southern alps) it certainly provides an interesting interlude from text articles. If your eyes are troubling you, or you just have trouble reading from a computer monitor, the Reference Suite comes with a text-to-speech utility so you can have the articles narrated. Microsoft has made no secret about wanting Encarta used in Australian schools and has made a big effort to provide a wide range of teaching aids and tools, including an updated Research Organiser. In keeping with previous versions, each part of the reference suite is heavily Internet-oriented, with more than 22,500 Web links to associated articles and a monthly update service. |