Dictionary of American biography on CD-ROM

Abstract

Encarta Virtual Globe. 1998 edition. Redmond, Wash.: Microsoft Corporation, 1997. $54.95. (ISBN 1-57231-777-9) Requirements. PC with 486DX/50 MHz or higher processor; Microsoft Windows 95 operating system or Windows NT Workstation operating system 4.0 or later; 8MB RAM for Windows 95, 16MB for Windows NT; 29MB of hard disk space; 2X or faster CD-ROM; SVGA, 265-color monitor supporting 640 x 480 or higher resolution; Microsoft mouse, IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device; audio board and headphones or speakers; Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 (included on CD) or later; and Internet access with a 9600 baud or higher modem. Microsoft's Encarta Virtual Globe certainly makes every attempt to live up to subtitle on it's box as the most comprehensive geographic reference. One may approach information search from many venues and even connect directly to World Wide Web for additional information. This product contains a variety of visual materials including three-dimensional images, film clips and slide shows, as well as music clips, statistics, and extensive textual information. The disc even contains a game to test one's knowledge of world geography. Encarta Virtual Globe is very easy to install. Inserting disc into CD-ROM drive activates a quick and easy boot up. Nevertheless, a major deficiency is lack of installation information either on box or with disc jewel case. A simple statement on installation would suffice to correct this problem. The box includes CD-ROM containing operating software and database. Paper documentation is virtually nonexistent, except for information printed on back of box. A small information card included in package does give brief information on ondisc help and for obtaining Microsoft technical support, including Web-based and phone help. Ondisc help and documentation are copious and very easy to use. The Getting Started section gives user five things he/she needs to know before using product. The Help Index makes it easy to locate any type of technical help needed. Help or pointing information is available as one points mouse to topics, tools or other items that are difficult to figure out. A major strength of product is database's documentation. Data sources include Culturgrams (Brigham Young Univ.), SPOTView satellite imagery, and a variety of private corporations and U.S. and foreign governmental agencies. Twenty-eight special consultants are listed. Also included is extensive bibliography which was used to create product. The board of advisers includes a distinguished array of scholars listed along with their credentials. Sources for statistical information section of database are detailed. The database contains a broad variety of information on cultural, economic, and historical aspects of countries and regions of world. One can view a slide show with generous textural information or hear a sound clip of local music. The CD includes twenty-nine video clips on local cultures, physical features, and ecological topics. The Find a Place option allows one to search for man-made or natural features. More than 1.2 million place names may be located by searching in database. Explore World Statistics gives access to a wide variety of statistical information categories including basic statistics, agriculture, economy, energy and minerals, environment, health and education, population, trade, and transportation, and communication. A unique feature in this display is a bar graph where user may pull up statistics by country in ascending order. …