Microsoft’s Encarta 97 is a great improvement on Encarta 96. Libraries looking for a CD‐ROM equivalent to an encyclopedia on the level of World Book or Academic American will want to take a close look at this product. The articles are not of great depth, and certainly are not on par with the Encyclopedia Britannica; but they will satisfy any reader that would otherwise look to World Book or a good one‐volume encyclopedia like The New Columbia Encyclopedia. If one needs to know just a little bit about a subject or has a short reference question, Encarta 97 is a good, economical choice.
Encarta 97 is simple enough to load on a Windows platform. The Macintosh program proved to be more difficult. The reviewer’s sound program was not compatible; and the software simply would not forgive that. Combined with the slow processing speed of a Power Mac, the reviewer asked for a Windows version that was more familiar. With more Macintosh expertise, the program may have been simple to use; but then that begs the question of the common computer owner or library that does not have a Macintosh expert handy.
Encarta 97 is now on two discs. At first, this appeared to create an annoying problem of having to flip discs for machines with one CD drive. After numerous searches on various topics during one session, however, it seemed that only one disc change was necessary. The software to run the encyclopedia is on the first disc. With Windows, it was a simple matter of running the install software from the program manager. The program group comes with an uninstall icon to easily remove the program from the hard disk. Nevertheless, this is not a product that a library will keep behind the desk to run on different workstations. Libraries will need either a dedicated terminal or a network. Given the cost, however, multiple copies would be easy on a budget.
Given Microsoft’s huge presence in the personal computer industry, many users are already familiar with Encarta. Nevertheless, the 97 version has rearranged the screen to make it easier for the first time user. The hide‐and‐seek for the print command in earlier editions has been made easier. Access to the internal dictionary and atlas are also improved. The ability to click on an unknown word in an article to get the dictionary definition is a wonderful enhancement.
There are 3500 new articles and 2500 updated articles according to information from Microsoft. The move to two discs has allowed Microsoft to drop media clips like chocolate chips in the Encarta cookie. There are 6000 new photos, 38 new video clips, 52 new maps and 200 new audio clips, according to Microsoft.
Perhaps the best feature for computers hooked to the World Wide Web are the 5000 preinstalled links to the Web. If one is looking at the article on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one has the option of linking to a couple of preselected Web sites that enhance the article about Mozart. For the novice who simply is not certain where to find new reliable information on the Web, this feature is worth the price of the encyclopedia.
Encarta 97 requires a multimedia PC with 486 or higher microprocessor. The Windows version works with either Windows 95 or Windows 3.1 or better or Windows 95. It requires 8 MB of RAM for Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. Windows NT requires 12 MB. A double speed or faster CD‐ROM drive and an SVGA, 256‐color monitor is necessary. If one wishes to have access to the Encarta Yearbook or Web Links, the PC will need access to the Internet with a 9600 bps or faster modem. If one does not have a current Internet browser, Encarta 97 comes with Microsoft Explorer for free. The Macintosh version simply requires a Power Mac or a Mac with a 25‐MHz 68030 or better processor with system 7.1 or better. The requirements for RAM, monitor, and CD‐ROM drive are the same as PC requirements.
Encarta 97 should not be confused with a scholarly, in‐depth encyclopedia. The articles are not even up to the level of the Encyclopedia Britannica. For the user or library that needs quick reference, or articles on the level of World Book, this is an excellent purchase. The interactive features and media are going to draw children in like flies to honey. Families and school media centers should be especially interested in this product.
Given the reasonable cost, Encarta 97 is pretty much a no brainer. In fact, most libraries should look here before thinking about buying updates to The New Columbia Encyclopedia or Academic American Encyclopedia.
