Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002 [Old Version]

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005MF7S
• Item model number: 844-00263
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 6, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,392 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Not only does Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002 offer extensive content on just about everything, but this version has been beefed up with more multimedia, games, resources, and search options than previous editions. In the end, Encarta outperforms just about every other resource tool--print or electronic--out there.

We chose to do the smaller install, which accommodates those who may not want to have an entire encyclopedia on their hard drive. Using all of Encarta's features was easy and straightforward--the package asked for the CD needed at the time and never missed a beat.

The reference library is the meat of the package, offering your typical encyclopedic content. But where the library shines is in both the "Related Articles" section and the option of updating the content. Because the library navigates much like the Internet Explorer browser, you'll be able to click on the highlighted links or phrases in text to go to related articles and surf around wherever your interests may take you. Additionally, Encarta offers the option of updating the encyclopedia's content, so you can be sure to always have the most up-to-date information and Web links. Additionally, the search capabilities incorporate both the encyclopedia's information and Web information in the Web Center.

Aside from the articles, you'll also find a good selection of educational games, including the very popular (and challenging) Mind Maze, a geography quiz, a sculpture timeline, and a few more. The library also includes the Parent's Center--an online resource covering learning milestones, parenting tips, reading recommendations, and activity ideas--and the Multimedia Center, where you can browse the encyclopedia by images, sound, animation, charts, or 360-degree views of everything from the Badlands National Park to the Forum in Rome. Again, links to related articles make it easy and enjoyable to learn.

Outside of the reference library, the Encarta Researcher works as a virtual notebook where you can search the Web or the encyclopedia, cut and paste text, store images, cite references, and essentially pull together research information for a number of projects. Also, the Encarta FactFinder offers a quick source for dictionary definitions, quick fact lookups, and general information. Even though we found the FactFinder's translation capabilities to be less than impressive (French and Spanish are offered), we were duly impressed with the "mini-view," allowing you to keep a small search window open while you're reading another article, surfing the Web, or doing anything else at your computer.

Essentially, Microsoft's Encarta 2002 is a worthy addition to the student's set of reference materials, or to the lifelong learner's collection of resources. --Emilie Herbst

Product Description

MS Encarta 2002 Deluxe Complete Package 1 User STD CD Win 45000292

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encarta, brand-new every year., July 6, 2002

By 

Billy Budd "an_encyclopedias_addict" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

I buy ENCARTA every year, and BRITANNICA from time to time. This is my opinion:
TEXT: Britannica's writing style is more sophisticated, and its authors are very well known. However, Encarta is not bad written at all, its authors are good and the contents are more or less the same, or better in the last versions.
You can update Britannica over the Internet free for a year, but only quarterly (4 times). Encarta is updated EVERY WEEK with new articles and additions to the old ones.
MULTIMEDIA and FEATURES: Encarta devastates Britannica with a lot of animations, interactivities, videos, music and sounds, pictures, literature sidebars, new translation dictionaries, Atlas, 2 D and 3 D virtual tours, timeline, games ... It's not only the quantity and quality. It is the easy access you have to all the multimedia, and that text, multimedia and features are completely integrated.
NAVIGATING: Encarta wins again. You only have to type a phrase, a word or de beginning of a word to see all the articles and multimedia that contains it. If you have typed the name of a small village lost in Senegal (e.g.), you see it in the Atlas without clicking again. If Encarta does not find anything, it gives you alternative spellings and you meet with what was looking for. To go "jumping" from article to article is very easy and quick, because you have a lot of links and the "Related Articles" section. If you need to copy text or pictures, the integration with Microsoft's WORD is perfect.
Navigating with Britannica is different. You do not get crazy, but ... I only say that, if you do not know the exact and correct spelling of a name or word, it does not help you with alternative or similar spellings.
My computer is Pentium III 1000 Mhz 256 RAM, and I have copied Britannica into the hard drive (the same with Encarta). The fact is that it is very slow, and that takes a lot of RAM (50 % more or less). If you have other programs open, perhaps Britannica does not work. With Encarta, you do not have any problem.
I hope my opinion is helpful for you.

28 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It looks nice, theres a lot to it, but..., November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

The articles are pretty weak & superficial.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encarta Excellance, June 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

I am a volunteer educator for the Toledo Zoo and was gifted with a copy of Encarta 2002. It not only is the most complete reference I currently have but it also allows me to tell it what age group I'm working with so it can lead me to age appropriate information. I couldn't be more delighted.