---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SPARCstation Produces Best-Selling UK Encyclopedia In Printed And CD Versions SunFLASH Vol 28 #13 April 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN LOOK and SPARCstation Make CD Version Easy To Use MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --April 16, 1991-- The high-performance SPARCstation(TM) 2 workstation from Sun Microsystems is being used to compile the United Kingdom's biggest-selling single-volume encyclopedia, the Hutchinson Encyclopedia. In addition, the SPARCstation 2 will produce and display a version of the encyclopedia on compact disc, called the Hutchinson Electronic Encyclopedia. The on-line reference book, the first on CD in the United Kingdom, is very easy to use because of the OPEN LOOK(R) Graphical User Interface (GUI) that is part of the Sun Workstation. The Hutchinson Electronic Encyclopedia runs on a SPARCstation's CD drive and will be included with all CD players sold in the United Kingdom by Sun. The Hutchinson Encyclopedia, from Hutchinson Reference, provides comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date information in a single volume, with more than 25,000 entries and 2,500 illustrations, many in full color. Contributions from more than 60 specialists are computer-checked for consistency and accuracy with the SPARCstation. The Hutchinson database, which utilizes Oracle's relational database management system (RDBMS) running on a SPARCstation, is continuously updated, offering topical information on subjects ranging from recent political developments to sporting achievements to well-known public figures. The combination of CD and OPEN LOOK allows the Hutchinson Electronic Encyclopedia to simplify the process of retrieving information. Searches can be conducted in several ways -- by word or by subject category -- and can be refined to meet individual user's requirements. The system allows unrestricted browsing through all categories and will extrapolate specific data from two or more items of information. OPEN LOOK lets users point the cursor at objects and click the mouse to perform tasks. In addition, it has a unique "drag and drop" capability. All retrieved information can be copied into separate files or printed out. CD-ROM allows for full network support. David Attwooll, managing director of Hutchinson Reference, remarked, "The CD frees users from the tyranny of the alphabet. You can ask the disc questions using more than one coordinate -- date, subject, country or combination of words -- to open the encyclopedia and its information. After videos, PCs and audio CDs, we expect interactive CDs to be the next big consumer boom." The Hutchinson Electronic Encyclopedia is the first encyclopedia to use a graphical interface on a UNIX(R) workstation. The CD version will benefit the educational community and all users of UNIX workstations by bringing an enormous amount of information, both text and image, to the desktop in a readily accessible format. Containing over 25,000 entries and 750 illustrations, the CD also offers approximately 500 new graphics, including 50 full-color maps. Press Contact: Susanne Klopka (415) 336-0529 Ellie Pendreich Sun UK 011-44-276-686735 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.