This dictionary embodies the content of the printed version, converted into CD‐ROM form, with an effective search engine “Complex” which means that fast searches can be made with access to the entire text, not just headwords. It has 112,542 entries, with a number of illustrations, some in colour; and there are many instantly‐accessible cross‐references. More than 3,500 of the more difficult words are accompanied by phonetic characters to aid pronunciation and, assuming the computer has a sound card, these can be made audible. A distinct advantage is that the software will run equally well on Macintosh or PC machines.
The definitions are short, but pithily‐worded, and provide fully adequate explanations. They do not miss the variations that sometimes occur in the meaning of the same word in different branches of science. Cross‐references are lavishly included and can be referred to at the touch of a key. In searches, as would be expected in a product of this quality, wildcards, Boolean operators, and proximity can be used to expand or limit the scope. Users of Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, and AmiPro word‐processors have the opportunity to connect them to this Dictionary and thus link into scientific and technological terms in addition to those already available. All the text can be copied, but not the pictures. It is fortunate that the software the program uses is well‐established and that there is little chance of trouble when installing and using it, because no technical support is offered. The telephone number and e‐mail addresses given in the small booklet inside the case of the disc are not currently operative.
