Customer Reviews

Simon & Schuster New Millennium Encyclopedia & Home Reference Library

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The company (Versaware) that Simon & Schuster used for this product has gone out of business. Many of the links are no longer active. Technical support did not even know that there was a Macintosh version. The product is subtitled "2001 and beyond" but the software was copyrighted in 1999. This product is not worth it.

This is the second review I have written for this product - the first review was never posted.
I had high hopes when I purchased this set, especially with all the products combined into one. Unfortunately, the interface and the inability to update the databases give it a failing grade.
The encyclopedia is based on the "Versaware" system wherein you can add titles to a database (or update titles) residing on your computer and then the titles appear in a pane on the left margin of the screen. The titles come as described in the advertisements, but they are from 2000. When you try to update them, you can't. When try you go to the Versaware web site, you find that it is up for sale - out of business - kaputt. I also don't like the inability to use one title without opening up the whole program. And if you want to look up pictures or multimedia files, the program forces you to switch the two CDs you get back and forth in order to get the content.
If you want a clunky out of date product, plunk down your money. Otherwise, you'd be better off looking at one of the other encyclopedia compliations.

Simon & Schuster New Millenium Encyclopedia & Reference Library is one of the most concise and informative interactive encyclopedias we have seen. It provides all the tools necessary for kids
(and adults) to do reports for school, and it makes it fun and exciting to learn new things every time we use it. My whole family just loves it and so will yours!

It may be old and the links really don`t work more, but it`s excellent work.

I like specially it`s reference libraries and I use it`s binder to read eBooks and other web pages. Early it was possible to creat good eBook library on the base of this encyclopedia. Now it`s unfortunately not possible to install new books more.

Andres Mäevere (Võru, Estonia)