There was a dramatic increase in the number of full-text reference products on CD-ROM in 1992-a development we applaud because, in our opinion, CD-ROM is better suited to full-text reference products than large bibliographic files. Of all the CD-ROM products, new and revised, we were most impressed with the
New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia from Grolier Electronic Publishing.
The publisher has more than just changed the name by adding "New" to the title; it has added a number of new features, including video and animation, to its best-selling CD-ROM encyclopedia--one which was named "CD-Product of the Year" by the Optical Publishing Association in 1991.
The encyclopedia now contains over 33,000 articles (more than any other CD-ROM encyclopedia) and 10 million words- on one CD-ROM-and comprises the entire text and many of the pictures from the 21-volume print version, Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia. Seven thousand of these articles are either new or have been revised to reflect recent changes and events in the world.
The product is now available in three versions: MS-DOS, Macintosh, and a new Windows/MPC version. The new edition introduces digitized video segments in both the MS-DOS and Macintosh versions, including historical events and famous people in history, NASA missions, major sports events and much more. Also featured are animation sequences on topics such as aircraft technology, weather, the human body and the solar system.
Additional new features are the "Timeline," which allows users to journey through history, from prehistoric days to the present, and the "Knowledge Tree" for exploring broad categories before branching out to specific areas.
New color and black-and-white pictures have been added, bringing the total to over 3,000 (many of which can now be printed). Another feature new to this edition is the Macintosh networking capability, in addition to the IBM networking capability which was available in previous editions.
There are over 250 high-resolution color maps, including all regions of the world all countries, and all 50 states of the United States. Maps are geopolitically detailed, showing all cities and towns, major highways, rivers and other geographical functions. All map features can be located by using the encyclopedia's search functions.
There also is surprisingly high-quality audio, including excerpts from famous speeches and musical compositions, as well as animal sounds, bird calls, and musical instruments.
The CD-ROM's search and retrieval software, developed by Online Computer Systems of Germantown, Maryland, allows users to quickly find any word, article, combination, or string of words anywhere on the disk. Multimedia features can be accessed from articles or by browsing through the Multimedia Index.
The Technical Requirements are:
MS-DOS: IBM compatible PC, XT, AT, P5/2 or higher, MS-DOS Version 3.1 or higher. Hard disk with at least 1 MB free, 640 KB RAM. VGA card and color monitor for pictures, maps and movies. CD-ROM drive. Microsoft Extensions, Version 2.1 or higher. Printing of maps or selected pictures: LaserJet or Epson-compatible printer. Printing of articles: any IBM-compatible printer. Audio with movies: audio hardware and speakers or headphones. Other audio: audio hardware or CD-ROM drive with audio output, and speakers or headphones. Audio hardware supported: Sound Blaster and compatible, IBM Audio Capture and Playback Adapter, Digispeech, PS/i Audio Card. A network version is available.
Macintosh: Plus, SE, Classic or higher. Hard disk with at least 1 MB free. System 6.0.5 or higher. IBM RAM, 2 MB RAM for Multifinder, CD-ROM drive. QuickTimeTM movies and animations: System 6.0.7 or 7, 4 MB RAM, color display and 68020 CPU. Printing of articles, maps, or selected pictures: Macintosh-compatible printer. A network version is available.
Windows/MPC: IBM-compatible, 286 or higher, 10 MHz or faster. MS-DOS Version 3.3 or higher and Windows 3.0 or 3.1. Hard disk with at least 1 MB free. 2 MB RAM. VGA card and color monitor (SVGA recommended). CD-ROM drive. Microsoft Extensions. Version 2.1 or higher. Version 2.21 for Windows, 3.1 Microsoft-compatible mouse. Printing of articles, maps or selected pictures: Windows- compatible printer. Audio: speakers or headphones, MPC-compatible audio hardware and Windows 3.1, or Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions, or CD-ROM drive with audio output.
The price for all versions remains $395; the upgrade price for owners of previous editions is $97. A supplemental Teacher's Guide can be purchased separately for $49. If possible, get the Windows or Mac version; they're even more appealing than the MS-DOS version.
[Contact: Grolier Electronic Publishing, Sherman Turnpike, Danbury, CT 06816; (203) 797-3500, ext. 3530.]
