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1993-05-27
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Compton's Interactive
Encyclopedia for Windows
by Tony Curro
One program that is popping up on CD-ROM most often is an
encyclopedia, or similar type of reference material. A CD-ROM is an
excellent media for these ventures. The main reason is that, since a
CD-ROM can hold so much information, and encyclopedias and the like
are such huge tomes, it is a perfect marriage, as long as it is a
well-done program.
Well, Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia is very well done. There is
so much to explore, that one does not know where to start. Choose
from: Dictionary, Atlas, Sounds, Slide Show, Videos, Pictures,
Picture Tour and Animation.
Slide Show will bring up a projection screen, with the image in the
center. As you press play, a narration starts in accordance with
changing slides. Learn about Baseball, Circus and many others.
Videos are actual footage of people, places and events that have
touched all of us at one time or another. Hear, Theodore Roosevelt,
Charles Lindburgh, Martin Luther King Jr. and others speak.
Experience the Moon Landing, prefaced by a speech John F. Kennedy
made during his presidency.
All of these, are presented in a VCR type screen with, play, rewind,
stop, etc. You can even click on the article button, which brings up
the accompanying article.
Compton's has enhanced this product with the addition of Virtual
Workspace, and their search and retrieval engine SmarTrieve. Virtual
Workspace is a Windows shell that turns the boundaries of a monitor
into a nearly infinite working area. When working in Virtual
Workspace, the only limitations to the amount of open windows, is
the available RAM. An on-screen map illustrates a grid that
represents an 18-foot-by-13-foot work area. Users quickly navigate
the workspace with a mouse by clicking on and dragging the whole
screen over the workspace, using the map as a guide. In this
fashion, users can work on their computer, as they would with actual
volumes on their desk. They can lay out all the needed materials,
and then quickly move from one to another, without losing their
place, or train of thought.
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia requires a 386SX.16MHz or better,
4MB RAM, MS-DOS 3.1 or later, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later,
Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions 2.2 or later, a hard drive, an
MPC-compatible CD-ROM drive (150 KB/s sustained data transfer rate),
an SVGA display card with at least 256K display memory (256 colors),
an 8-bit sound card capable of playing .WAV files, stereo speakers
or headphones, and a Microsoft mouse or 100% compatible. A printer
is optional.
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, which normally retails for
$395.00, will be available for a suggested price of $149.00 with the
trade-in of any CD-ROM encyclopedia disc or the first page of an
encyclopedia user's guide. This offer will be available at the 4800
retail sores where Compton's NewMedia's products are sold. Compton's
has become the first company to offer an upgrade on a multimedia
product.
I have been using this product for several months, and I have not
even dented the surface of all that is available. I am constantly
finding new stuff, which leads me to venture into futher
exploration. It would be of use to anyone who needs to retrieve
information.
Product Information
Compton's Interactive
Encyclopedia for Windows
List Price -- $395.
Upgrade -- $149.
Compton's NewMedia
2320 Camino Vida Roble
Carlsbad, CA 92009
619-929-2500