This beautifully integrated suite of reference software
is appealing, user-friendly, and thoroughly handy. Included in the Encarta
Reference Library 2005 is the Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe, Interactive World
Atlas, World English Dictionary, Thesaurus, Book of Quotations, Encarta Africana,
the new Encarta Kids, and a set of excellent research and learning tools and games.
Some of the new features for this 2005 edition are
especially noteworthy. Encarta Kids is a separate application that is designed
specifically for the needs of elementary-age children. It features bolder,
larger text, easy-to-read articles, and age-appropriate content that children
need for school projects. Although it is a separate application, if a search
doesn't pull up content, a link is provided so that users can run the same
search in the main Encarta program. The Encarta Search Bar is now available:
users have the option to click on the toolbar to run a search directly, which
gets results quickly. Very handy!
Features found in previous versions are here as
well. The translation
dictionaries are very accessible for any time users want to key in foreign language
words for a quick translation. Discovery Channel videos are excellent quality
and add value to this multimedia-rich package. The Chart Maker allows users to
easily build good-looking
pie and graph charts for reports. Literature guides and homework starters are
just some of the excellent learning tools found in the program.
Electronic encyclopedias and reference suites have an edge over online sources
because of their more relevant search results and, in many cases, their speed.
Fiddling with too many CD-ROMs, however, can be a deterrent. This CD-ROM reference
library is also offered on one DVD-ROM, but for those who don't own a DVD-ROM
drive (and who can spare the sizable space it takes on the hard drive) can opt
to copy all of its content to their hard drive. This means the reference library
is readily available—CDs don't need to be placed in the drive, and swapping
of disks is unnecessary. Those who cannot spare the extra space (it takes up over
2 GB) will need to change the disks from time to time.
Besides its very friendly sense of congruity and integration, this program's
strength lies in its excellent use of multimedia. In fact, both factors make
this suite stand out amongst the reference titles because they invite browsing
just for the sake of knowledge. It is a joy to see children begin their searches
for information they need for their school work, and then stay in the
program to find more than they need!
The World Atlas is a treat. Users can select a flat map or globe view, zoom
in on any part of the globe, measure distances from point to point, add "pushpins"
(with attached notes) to places on the map, and discover latitudes, longitudes,
time of day, and population statistics. Historical maps are available, and "map
treks" involve choosing a map style (such as climate, languages, ecoregions,
etc.) and exploring. There are both 2D and 3D virtual tours of natural wonders,
cities, and landmarks.
Browsers can go straight to the multimedia center to find pictures, sounds,
videos, and animations. Live media (such as worldwide radio, weather, and news
feeds) is integrated into the program smoothly. Gorgeous panoramas of various
landmarks (such as San Francisco in 1877 or Prague's Old Town Square) are available.
Especially handy for students is the program's Homework Center. "Researcher"
facilitates the collection and organization of information and even helps with
creating outlines for projects and papers. Kids can easily copy pictures and
text (from both Encarta and the web) into their notes and Encarta automatically
creates footnotes and bibliographies. A nice selection of homework starters
include ideas for essays, papers, book reports, creative writing, science projects,
and more. New to this latest edition is Literature Guides. For many popular
works (such as The Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, and even Harry Potter
titles), information about the author, overviews, settings, characters, themes,
literary qualities, morals, and ideas for reports are offered. The new Chart
Maker is very easy to use. Students can easily create customized pie, bar, or
line charts with this tool.
The Curriculum Guide is likely to be of interest to parents. They can select
a grade level and area of study and a list appears of curriculum topics typically
studied in either the US or Canada for the chosen grade. Links to Encarta content
and hand-picked web sites are here.
The included dictionary, thesaurus, and book of quotations are contemporary
and user-friendly. As children read Encarta's articles, they can double-click
on any word and its dictionary entry will pop up. Children can also hear dictionary
entries pronounced.
Finally, games are available for testing and honing geography, memory, and
general knowledge skills. "Geography Quiz", for example, is a multiple-choice
style questionnaire, while MindMaze involves navigating through a maze of rooms,
and passing through each door requires answering general knowledge questions.
After comparing Encarta Reference Library
2005 to other similar products,
we found this package considerably more inviting and user-friendly. It is a
very contemporary and thriving encyclopedia with its frequent updates and seamless
editors' web links picks. Users can jump back and forth from the encyclopedia
content to quality web sites without opening up new windows. Additionally, any
time the program is booted up, the current date is displayed along with a link
to an article, often related to the date. Users can update their content
frequently. Until October 2005, the subscription to MSN Encarta Premium is
free. With it, users can acquire fresh content through updates, as well as
Online Math Homework Help.
While other encyclopedias, such as Britannica and Grolier, contain valuable
content, Encarta has a distinct edge: its rich use of multimedia and
games keep kids (and adults) in the program above and beyond their basic school
needs.
Rating: 
