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Pick With this 2003 edition, Encarta remains at the
top of our list of electronic encyclopedias. We tested Encarta
Reference Library 2003 for this review, although Encarta Deluxe is
also available. The Reference Library is worth the extra money,
however. It includes the Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe as well as:
- Encarta World Dictionary and
Thesaurus with Translation Dictionaries (translation
dictionaries are new for 2003)
- Encarta Interactive World Atlas
- Encarta Africana
- Homework Center and Homework
Starter (new for 2003)
- Literature Guides (new for
2003)
- Quotations (new for 2003)
- Chart Maker (new for 2003)
- Encarta Researcher
- Statistics Center
Beautiful to look at, filled
with multimedia and helpful content, and easy to use, this
reference library will help make any family's research efforts easier. The search feature is
fabulous, with content from all titles in the suite seamlessly
integrated together. Streaming live media and easy content updates
(they're automatic) contribute to an exceptional product that
feels alive and fresh.
 As
with the 2002 edition, updates to the encyclopedia are automatic--any time you are logged on and fire up your Encarta
CD-ROM, the program looks for updates. If hard drive space on your
computer permits, users can install all content to the hard drive. This makes it that much easier to get the
information you need, fast. Although we own current editions
of Encarta, World Book, Grolier, and Britannica, we turn to
Encarta first and, in most cases, only. Part of the reason is that
we don't need to find the CDs and put them in the drive (although
the same is true for Britannica). However, it has plenty of
features that simply make it the most appealing to use.
Searching
in Encarta is easy. One search pulls up articles, maps, multimedia
content, and more. In fact, as you type in your keyword, lists of
results begin to appear and adjust as you keep typing. This is
very handy for times when you don't know the complete spelling of
a word. Alternate spellings also pop up for extra help.
Articles feature multiple links to other
information within the encyclopedia as well as to handpicked web
sites. Clicking on a web link doesn't open up a new window. This
makes it easy to jump back and forth from encyclopedia content to
web content.
When students stumble upon a word
in an article that they don't understand, they need only
double-click on it and a dictionary entry pops up. Doing research
for a school project is especially easy with this suite. Children
can select any text and images from Encarta contents or the
Internet, click "Add to Researcher", and the information
is cataloged and stored. Researcher allows users to organize and
edit the information they've collected ("note cards" can
be clicked and dragged for easy organizing), and then export their
work to a Word document. Citations are automatic with this handy
tool.
Our kid tester heard
"Timbuktu" often, and wanted to research it. He didn't
know the correct spelling, but Encarta helped him out. He quickly
found a nice article for his search query that included a map, 2
multimedia items, web picks on the topic, plenty of related
articles, and a link to a quotation with the word in it.
We love the new Quotations
feature. Famous quotes are a great way to "dress up" a
student's research paper or project, and Encarta makes it easy to
find a relevant quote through a straightforward search or via
browsing. Also new to this edition are literature guides--handy
for researching classic and popular works of literature. We also
love the easy-to-use Chart Maker. With this tool, kids can create
pie, line, and bar charts for their projects.
 The suite's World Atlas is
superior to those found in other leading electronic reference
suites. The atlas is dynamic and original. Users can easily customize their view of the world with
map styles and customizer tools.
Encarta also features some fun
and educational games, such as the multi-level Geography Quiz
pictured at right. Timelines and both 2D and 3D virtual tours of
various landmarks and natural wonders are also available in
Encarta.
For children over approximately
12 years of age, this program will prove invaluable. Kids only
just beginning to need an encyclopedia will do best with World
Book 2003 (we have a review
of this program) -- it is easier to read than Encarta. However, the whole
family will enjoy Encarta. The presentation is excellent and
invites users to stay in the program.
Pros:
- Contemporary,
well-integrated suite
- Rich with multimedia
- Updatable content (until
Oct. 2003) is automatic when users are online
- Plenty of extras and
special features
- Gorgeous interface
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Cons:
- Children under 12 might find the reading level a little too high.
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For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003
Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003...
(DVD edition)
Also available:
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe...2003 (this program is included in
the Reference Library reviewed here)
| For Windows |
By: Microsoft |
Ages 10-up |
Published: 2002 |
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