Encyclopedia Britannica 2002 Expanded Edition (DVD-ROM)

by Pearson Software

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005JGP7
• Item model number: 0852297866
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 24, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,188 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Famously large in size and comprehensiveness, Britannica is probably the world's most famous encyclopedia, in print since the mid-18th century. The 2002 DVD version is just as comprehensive, and includes all 32 volumes found in print, as well as a dictionary and world atlas. However, the DVD version has the advantage of fitting into a much smaller binding, and on just one disc.

The core of the software is as one would expect: Britannica's vast storehouse of knowledge and information, with entries on practically everything in existence. The articles and entries themselves are authoritative and interesting, each littered with hyperlinks to other related topics of interest, and include articles by people as renowned and diverse as Einstein, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Harry Houdini. Layered on top of this impressive core are related multimedia clips, both audio and visual, including panoramas and tours.

Britannica is designed like a Web site, with a home page that's always easily accessible. From this, three main ways of accessing this treasure house of information are offered--Search, A-Z Britannica, or Knowledge Navigator. These are housed within the same pop-up window with tabs at the top, so users can search once and click between all three of these search results. Britannica has also indexed thousands of quality Web sites that are returned as part of each search, which adds a whole new depth of exploration.

Britannica software also shines with regard to helping you organize your own research. You can take a note about a particular item, delegate your personal bookmarks, or collate and layout your collections in an attractive, publishable format.

In addition to the vast repository of knowledge, Britannica's software also includes the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (10th edition), a world atlas with statistics and facts, and, a particular favorite of this reviewer, a visually pleasing Timelines feature. Chart the developments in a particular area dating back to 100,000 B.C. You can display each development alongside the others if you wish, or display a single topic, from art to architecture to medicine.

This is fascinating software, is rendered well using Java, and, unlike other CD encyclopedia offerings, has more substance than style. Although a little bit difficult to navigate at first, it's both easy and pleasurable once understood. Researchers, quiz fans, students, or people who simply enjoy reading and learning will find this software a joy. --Alison Jardine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent content. Bug in the installation process, November 18, 2001

By 

H. Ma (Alhambra, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia Britannica 2002 Expanded Edition (DVD-ROM) (Software)

Just as some of the buyers have complained here in Amazon.com, the "convenient" installation in this Britannica DVD doesn't work. Obviously, this is due to a bug in the program. So I have to keep the DVD always in the computer, an inconvenient option. The multimedia is not as bad as some Encarta enthusiasts claimed. This DVD has great content and is good for adults and researchers. When I click "Islam," I get pages after pages of articles. You don't get that much from Encarta.

Verdict: Good for people 18 and above. Kids may not find it interesting.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Defective software, May 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia Britannica 2002 Expanded Edition (DVD-ROM) (Software)

The "convenient" install went OK. After it was installed, I immediately registered the product on-line and downloaded the latest update (both content and an apparent bug-patch).

Nevertheless, this piece of software seems to have a memory leak, and typically uses 320 Megabytes of system memory EVEN AFTER I QUIT THE APPLICATION. This requires me to re-boot my computer to regain usage of HALF OF MY SYSTEM MEMORY. This is inconvenient, and utterly ridiculous for modern software.

Unless you enjoy re-booting your computer everytime you use the Britannica, I advise you to NOT buy this software. This saddens me, because I like the textual content. The multi-media element,
however, leaves much to be desired.

System details:
- Macintosh 867 G4
- 640 MB RAM
- OS X 10.1.4

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product, excellent value, March 15, 2002

By 

Kevin P. Boers (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia Britannica 2002 Expanded Edition (DVD-ROM) (Software)

This is simply the best reference product I have ever purchased for my family. I have read all the reviews in this forum, and want to point out a few things:

1. Although there is no practical way to do a complete installation with the 2002 DVD, their customer service department is more than happy to exchange your version for a CD Deluxe edition, which does support this installation (nearly 2GB)

2. One reviewer said that there was no alphabetical browse feature, but there IS one in the product. Additionally, there is a subject browse tool called the Knowledge Navigator, which is based loosely on the content from the Propaedia volume of the printed edition.

3. While the multimedia does tend to be scant, it is all EB's original content. Other companies tend to license videos and photos like crazy, but have very little REAL content as far as the text goes. Britannica is known for its original content, and the transfer to CD/DVD is wonderful.