Better Birdwatching in Colorado, 2 CD set (Volumes 1-5) [CD-ROM]

Joseph A. LaFleur (Author), Harold R. Holt (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1999

The Better Birdwatching on Colorado two CD set features range maps for all 459 species, over 1320 photos for 386 species, over 430 video clips for 184 species, over 400 sounds for 196 species, and 221 interactive quizzes. Photos of nests and eggs are also included for over 160 species. Highlights on CD #1 include 185 species of loons, grebes, pelicans, herons, waterfowl, hawks, falcons, grouse, rails, cranes, shorebirds, gulls, and the Colorado Birding Hotspots Map. Highlights on CD #2 includ e 274 species of doves, owls, goatsuckers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Colorado hosts 224 species of songbirds, which are known for their colorful plumages and melodious songs. The songbirds include species that migrate through the state in spring and fall in addition to species commonly seen at backyard bird feeders. New features on CD #2 are average and extreme arrival/departure dates for migratory species, and details about nesting and songs for each species.!

The design of the CDs was based on research that shows that people remember information better when it is presented in a variety of media types. The audio-visual nature of the CD makes it ideal for children and beginning/intermediate birdwatchers. Specie s photographs use text boxes and arrows to clearly point out diagnostic characteristics. The text that accompanies the sounds and video clips details the important characteristics to look and listen for in the clips. The video clips can also be viewed fra me by frame to freeze the action where you want it. A screen is also available for the user to enter notes, for example, to keep a list of species. The interactive quizzes provide hints in the form of pictures, sounds, and videos, and the user has to gues s the correct species. If you guess correctly, Aztec the parrot rings the bell, but if you guess incorrectly, the birds will laugh. A booklet accompanies the CD for help in getting started and for troubleshooting, and fr! ee technical support is available.

Better Birdwatching CD-ROMs now offers a free email support service to help birdwatchers, the Betterbird Listserv. The listserv provides answers to your bird related questions in addition to periodic reports of bird sightings. To join, simply send an ema il to [e-mail] requesting membership on the Betterbird Listserv.

The CDs are currently being used at schools throughout Colorado, from elementary to college level. Over 400 copies of CD #1 have sold since its release in March of 1998. For more information call 1-888-414-2837 or visit the web site. Sample screen shots of the CDs are available at the web site.

Dr. Ronald A. Ryder, renowned Colorado birder and Wildlife Professor Emeritus from Colorado State University, reviewed the CD. "A useful, interactive guide that will appeal to novice and advanced birders ... a valuable reference tool, especially for thos e new to Colorado ... the programs are easy to learn and operate,"! said Ryder.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Multimedia Guide to Birds", by Lisa Marshall. Aspiring bird experts need not leave the house to get a close up look and listen at the state's feathered friends in action, thanks to an innovative CD-ROM hiiting the shelves this month. One of an ever-growing list of field guides on CD-ROM, the two-volume "Better Birdwatching in Colorado," features maps, text, pictures, and audio and video clips of Colorado birds, all designed to give beginner birders the information they need to recognize species out in the field. "It has pretty much been proven that if you hear and see something, you will remember it better than if you just read about it," said inventor Joseph LaFleur, 28, a long-time birdwatcher turned computer guru. With a degree in biology from CSU under his belt, LaFleur set out six years ago with video and audio recorders to document the bird world as a hobby. When a fascination with "technical communication" landed him back in school, he decided to combine his two passions, birds and computers, and form his own business. The fruits of his labor are impressive. Rather than try to memorize a one dimensional image on a page to learn about ferruginous hawks, users of the CD-ROM set can listen to a bird call, view a close-up color picture, and watch the birds motions as it flies away. The video clips can be viewed frame by frame for those wanting a more detailed look at movements and markings. The program allows users to take notes, and to print them out for use in an outing. A virtual bird quiz tests the students progress. A birding hotspots map helps the birder scope out area bird havens and plan upcoming trips. The first CD covers 185 species, from loons, grebes and pelicans to vultures, hawks and falcons. The second is due out later this spring. While the CD-ROM is not the first to focus on ornithology, it appears to be the only one to focus specifically on Colorado birds. "A lot of people just want ot know what they're going to see around here," said LaFleur. Ronald Ryder, a wildlife professor emeritus from CSU, calls the CD "a useful, interactive guide that will appeal to novice and advanced birders ... a valuable reference tool." A CSU ornithology class will be using the CD as part of its lab this spring semester, and LaFleur said he will offer volume discounts for teachers wanting to use several CDs to teach a class. -- Denver Rocky Mountain News

Aspiring bird experts need not leave the house to get a close up look and listen at the state's feathered friends in action, thanks to an innovative CD-ROM hitting the shelves this month.

One of an ever-growing list of field guides on CD-ROM, the two-volume "Better Birdwatching in Colorado," features maps, text, pictures, and audio and video clips of Colorado birds, all designed to give beginner birders the information they need to recogn ize species out in the field.

A CSU ornithology class will be using the CD as part of its lab this spring semester, and LaFleur said he will offer volume discounts for teachers wanting to use several CDs to teach a class. -- Boulder Daily Camera, March 25, 1998

This CD covers 185 bird species in a true multi-media package. You get range maps for all species, 350 photographs of 128 species, 130 videos for 69 species and 100 audios for 51 species. The CD also quizzes you and provides 40 videos and 213 phot ographs of Colorado's most productive birding locations.

"Better Birdwatching" takes you birding on rainy days, lets you prepare for upcoming trips, confirms identifications you made with a field guide while afield and helps you assess the birds in your own yard.

With resources such as "Better Birdwatching," knowledge and skills that took me years to accomplish you can acquire in months. Providing, of course, you apply yourself and actually study the material and not just flit through it.

Ultimately, "Better Birdwatching" relies on homebound technology. You cannot reasonably carry it afield. But you don't have to. That's what books are for. One does not replace the other, but rather they complement each other. -- Fort Collins Coloradoan, Lo veland Reporter-Herald, And Greeley Tribune

From the Publisher

Articles about Better Birdwatching CD-ROMs have appeared in the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Boulder Daily Camera, Colorado Springs Gazette, Greeley Tribune, Rocky Mountain Collegian, Fort Collins Coloradoan, and Loveland Reporter Herald .

Ronald Ryder, a wildlife professor emeritus from CSU, calls the CD "a useful, interactive guide that will appeal to novice and advanced birders ... a valuable reference tool." What the judges at the Online Communications Competition have to say about Better Birdwatching in Colorado, Volumes 1 & 2. The competition was organized by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, and the CD received a Merit Award. Judge #1
* "Individual page presentation is very good. Nice use of scanned/processed photos, integration of sound/video, etc. Users/birdwatchers will probably love it."
* "icons/buttons/links that start video/audio clips are well designed and seem to work well."
* "Nice, short videos show the behavior without a lot of confusing extra frames."
* "Notes section seems like a good idea."
* "It is an informative system, well-balanced and forward." * "The Quiz section is nice- people will enjoy that I think."
* "Clearly you have an interesting, useful tool for birdwatchers and people who want to learn about birds."
* "Fascinating CD title." Judge #2
* "Liked the maps/locations- consistent organization."
* "Good use of captions for on-screen presentation" (refers to captions with arrows pointing to important characteristics in bird photos.)
* "Good job with photos!"
* "Great job on graphics and videos- very appropriate for presentation."
* "Liked the use of photos, videos, and captions. Good way to show look and behavior."
* "Liked PAV notations" (Picture, Audio, and Video for each species are indicated in the indexes.)
* "Very professional look and feel."
* "Showed you know your subject matter and were able to present it in a very effective and usable manner." * "Design nice."
* "Quiz a good idea."
* The judge replied "yes to all" for the following factors regarding Achievement of Purpose.
* Stated purpose is met or surpassed.
* Central idea or goal is evident.
* Audience is consistently and appropriately addressed.
* The entry strikes you as appealing, interesting, and useful to the intended user.
* "Overall, very engaging and effective."
* "Cannot take it with you in the field unless you have a laptop (that is OK, but you would want to!)" Judge #3
* "All graphics and videos look very professional."
* "This product is a good idea and very useful."
* "I think this is an 'encyclopedia' for Colorado birds."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• CD-ROM
• Publisher: Better Birdwatching CD-ROMs; 2 CD set edition (January 19, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 0966735323
• ISBN-13: 978-0966735321
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,226,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, August 1, 2011

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This review is from: Better Birdwatching in Colorado, 2 CD set (Volumes 1-5) (CD-ROM)

Unfortunately, this product was unsatisfactory. We tried the CD on 3 different computers (Windows2007, WindowsXP, and Vista, and it would not run on any of them. We tried only the first CD and then had to return the order. Customer service, however, from both Amazon and the seller was excellent.