REVIEW: CD-ROM - COMPTON'S INTERACTIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA 1995 EDITION

In printed form, the COMPTON'S ENCYCLOPEDIA consists approximately 35,000
articles contained in 26 volumes.  This CD-ROM version contains the complete
text of the printed version as well as over 15 hours of audio, 8000+ still
images, more than 100 videos and three-dimensional animations.  Most important,
it allows you to print out the articles, pictures, maps and charts which
is great for students and research projects.

The third edition of the electronic version offers a brand new user interface
and multiple ways to access the information.  This includes new content, 256
color compatability and a special on-line "tour guide", accessible from any
section of the encyclopedia, featuring actor Patrick Stewart, who explains 
how to use the CD-ROM version through context-sensitive video.  The new 
version also features four linked learning "environments", a newsroom,
a playroom,  spaceship and an attic.  Other features include the Recent
Events slide show, an interactive atlas, an on-line dictionary, the powerful 
"Idea Search"  where you simply enter a question in plain English - you'll 
get a variety of references from the database and the InfoPilot function 
that provides you with additional information sources on the chosen 
topic. Finally, users can produce their own multimedia presentations 
using Compton's trade-marked "Editing Room" feature to create custom 
productions from the encyclopedia's resources. 

Requirements are pretty standard for a multimedia system: a 386SX - 16 or
better, MS-DOS 3.1, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, 4MB of RAM (8MB is
recommended),SVGA monitor, a mouse, a MPC-compatable CD-ROM drive and a
SoundBlaster or 100% compatible sound card.  A Mac version is also available.

I reviewed the Windows version of the COMPTON'S INTERACTIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA and
found it to be everything the literature said it would be.  The various user
interfaces worked well and I particularly liked the natural language idea 
search feature.  COMPTON'S ENCYCLOPEDIA has been around in the printed form
ever since I can remember and is a well-respected informational source.  The
Interactive electronic edition is no compromise - and a lot more fun to
play with and browse through.  Its high quality makes it an excellent
package and I am looking forward to reviewing other COMPTON'S NEW MEDIA
CDs in the near future.

%T      Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1995 Edition
%I      Compton's New Media
%C      Carlsbad California
%D      1995
%O      CD-ROM, $70.00-$90.00
%G      ISBN: 1-557-30-020-8
%K      multimedia encyclopedia


(C) 1995
Michael Crestohl
Nahant Massachusetts  USA
mc@shore.net

DISCLAIMER:  I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the success or 
failure of the book or materials reviewed herewith, nor have I received any 
compensation (other than a review copy requested by me) from anyone who has.  
All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Other Internet and Aviation book/software reviews by me can be obtained 
by anonymous FTP from:  x2ftp.oulu.fi in the /pub/books/crestohl directory.