One of the most popular types of educational software is the electronic encyclopedia. These encyclopedia programs are typically offshoots of respected print encyclopedias, supplemented with all manner of multimedia effects including relevant audio and video clips. Some of these encyclopedia programs also link to online databases, either as part of the purchase price or for an additional subscription fee. The Best Encyclopedia SoftwareThe top-selling encyclopedia programs on the market today include
Encarta is particularly popular, as it's included as part of Microsoft Works Suite which means that if you just purchased a new PC, you probably have Encarta pre-installed. Using Microsoft EncartaSince Encarta is so widely available, we'll use it as an example for our tour of encyclopedia programs. To be precise, we'll look at Encarta 2004, which is included with Microsoft Works Suite 2004. You can launch Encarta from either the Windows Start menu or the Works Task Launcher. When you launch Encarta, you'll probably be asked to insert the Encarta Encyclopedia disc. This is because Encarta is so large, so comprehensive, it can only be stored on CD-ROM. So insert the CD and get started! When Encarta launches, it displays the Encarta Home screen, shown in Figure 19.2. To navigate within Encarta, you use the buttons on the Encarta toolbar, located at the top of the screen. This toolbar is similar to Internet Explorer's toolbar, with navigation buttons to take you back and forward through individual pages. You can also use the pull-down menus to access specific features and tools and return to Encarta Home at any time by clicking the Home button. Figure 19.2. Encarta's home page you can find virtually anything from here!The Home screen is your gateway to all the content within the Encarta encyclopedia. From this screen you can
Encarta includes traditional text-based articles (like the one shown in Figure 19.3), as well as animations, sounds, images, videos, maps, and various interactive activities. Some Encarta entries are linked to the Encarta Web site, so you can go online to get additional or updated information. All in all, using Encarta is a rich and rewarding experience and a fun way to find all sorts of information. Figure 19.3. A typical Encarta article all about molecules.
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