(IDG) -- I've said it before and I'll say it again: In terms of pure value for the dollar, few software titles can match today's supercharged multimedia encyclopedia packages.
The latest entry in IBM's excellent World Book line is no exception. World Book Millennium 2000 comes in three versions: The $39 Standard edition on one CD-ROM, the $69 Deluxe edition on two discs, and the $89 Premier Reference Library on four discs. The Deluxe version basically adds homework tools for students. The Reference Library includes a Rand McNally atlas, almanacs, and additional reference titles from Merriam-Webster, among them a dictionary and a thesaurus.
World Book's generous article content, multimedia options, and study aids for students make any version worthwhile. If you want a comprehensive reference suite for the kids, go with the Reference Library--it's well worth the extra money.
IBM World Book Millennium 2000 Multimedia Encyclopedia | ||
The IBM World Book product line includes three CD-ROM editions of its encyclopedia--Standard, Deluxe, and Premier Reference Library. The products range from $39.95 to $89.95. World Book does offer a Macintosh version of their multimedia encyclopedia. See their Web site for more information. The World Book Web site is: https://www.worldbook.com
The IBM World Book Millennium 2000 Multimedia Encyclopedia, Premier Reference Library Edition, is a wonderful reference tool, which is suitable for students, parents, and teachers who want the most powerful and robust reference. It is an all-in-one reference product that includes the Standard Edition World Book 2000, plus a new Rand McNally Millennium World Atlas; the Merriam-Webster Reference Library (Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus; Intermediate Dictionary; Encyclopedia of Literature; Medical Desk Dictionary; Biographical Dictionary); and three Information Please almanacs (Sports, Entertainment, and General Knowledge). with easy-to-use search features; extensive online functions; It has a collection of integrated multimedia features; Homework Wizard learning and organization tools; and an array of additional research tools. It comes on four CDs. | ||
Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced computer users; suitable for children ages 10 to adult. Articles are written with the probable age of the reader in mind. Younger students or those looking for a simple answer quickly get the information they want--advanced students will find the in-depth information they need. | ||
Authoritative Content
Extensive Multimedia
Millennium Feature
Online Extras for Internet Users--One Year Free
Homework Tool Kit
Rand McNally Millennium World Atlas Deluxe
Merriam-Webster Reference Library
Three Information Please Almanacs
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Installation. The program is not difficult to install and you have a variety of installation options depending on how much hard disk space you have. User Guide. The guide is 60 pages and gives you in-depth explanations of the program's various functions. Interface. The interface is similar to the 1999 version, with small changes. Starting World Book, you will see the Main Menu entry screen, and you use this menu to get to articles, media, the dictionary, or online. (See image to the right for an example.)
Once inside an article area, you can still easily go from one feature or function to another using the Control Panel, discussed below, that is always available. There is a Menu Bar across the top of the screen with the usual Window choices: File, Edit, Tools, Online, and Help. Below that is a Control Panel that consists of twelve options displayed in two groups. To the left of the screen are major tools and functions: Tool Kit, Search and Dictionary; to the right are navigation controls: Back, Forward, Main Menu/Home, Article, Just Looking, Atlas, Time Frame, What's Online, and Stop. The Menu Bar and Control Panel are always available within World Book, making it easy to find options and move between features and functions. The middle of the screen is where articles appear and to the left is where the search and/or dictionary windows will open. The small search window can be moved and closed if you need more space. The interface is very clean, easy to use and intuitive. Surf the Millennium. The World Book 2000 does not include Cyber Safari, the multimedia tour of the San Diego Zoo that was in the earlier version, but instead has a new feature called Surf the Millennium, which is as much fun as the Cyber Safari. You can check out what some Web news sites might have been like if the Web had existed throughout this millennium. Each century, from the 1000's to the 1900's, has its own home page that links to other simulated Web sites from that period such as 3-zines, want ads, bookstores, and other types. You can go shopping in the 16th century; enroll in Samurai Warrior School; and check out Mozart's resume. Homework Wizards. Help wizards assemble text and media into polished reports. There are five wizards:
Atlas. There are maps within the World Book as well as in the Rand McNally New Millennium World Atlas. This section applies to the World Book maps. See the Rand McNally Atlas section below for a discussion of their maps. There are a variety of maps in the World Book, and you can jump to progressively more detailed maps to learn about countries, states, provinces, and cities. There is also an Overlays feature that allows you to view locator maps, thematic maps, and legends. Locator maps are small maps that show you where the region or country you are currently viewing is located within a country or continent. For example, if a map of France were in view, the locator map would be a small map of Europe with France highlighted. Thematic maps convey basic information on such topics as climate, economy, or population distribution. World Book has multiple thematic maps for most continents and major countries of the world. A Legend map is a list of symbols and explanations for the map currently in view. Most thematic maps have legends, as do city maps. There is also a great Distance Calculator that you can use to find the distance between two locations. It plots them on both a three-dimensional globe and a flat map, and displays the distance. It can also determine how far it is between a set location and your cursor's location on the map. Online Features. World Book has up-to-date information on the Web.
Merriam-Webster Reference Library and Information Please Almanacs. The Reference Library combines dictionary, thesaurus and spelling tools into one easy-to-use research aid. It comprises the Merrian-Webster Biographical Dictionary, Collegiate Dictionary, Collegiate Thesaurus, Encyclopedia of Literature, Intermediate Dictionary, and Medical Dictionary. The Information Please Almanacs gives you information on general topics, sports, and entertainment. It is very convenient to have all of this information in one program. Rand McNally New Millennium World Atlas Deluxe. Perusing this section was so much fun, it was almost sinful. If you love maps, you will be delighted as much as I was with this new section. The maps are beautiful and detailed, and there is a wealth of information on areas as well. You can look at the world from a birds-eye view or zoom into a detailed map of a selected city; learn about the geography, culture, natural history, climate, and political history of a location (statistics and geographic stories about areas of interest are also provided); compare maps and information between locations; customize the appearance of your maps; add link to Rand McNally's home page on the Internet to learn more about a particular location. | ||
This is a wonderful encyclopedia that the whole family can enjoy. The material is presented in a clear and direct style, and the interface is easy enough for younger children. The new Surf the Millennium section is pertinent to today's internet-conscious culture. The 360-degree Photo Bubble views are intriguing and very well done. The additional Merrian-Webster Reference Library, Rand McNally New Millennium World Atlas Deluxe, and the Information Please Almanacs make this a must software for anyone, young students, college age students, and parents. And the Homework Wizards are an excellent tool that would make learning fun for students. Keep this encyclopedia in mind for the time when you want that perfect gift. And if you want to get anything done around the house, don't open the Rand McNally World Atlas. You won't want to leave it. Four thumbs up for this one! | ||
Processor: 486DX/100MHz or higher Additional Requirements for World Atlas |