Getting Started

Welcome to Encyclopµdia Britannica 2003 Ultimate Reference Suite. Use this powerful resource to search or browse for information in three encyclopedias, magazines, thousands of Web sites, plus a dictionary and a thesaurus.  

To get started:

1. Install the program.

2. Register your copy of the program.

3. Adjust your computer to optimize use of the program.

4. Set preferences for reading articles, if you wish.

5. Begin exploring!

Find out what's new:

If you are a previous Britannica CD/DVD owner, you'll notice some exciting changes in this edition. Learn more...

Choose a Library:

Encyclopµdia Britannica 2003 Ultimate Reference Suite (or Britannica 2003) includes three Libraries. Choose a Library based on your reading level or how much information you want.
 

• Encyclopµdia Britannica Library
  Advanced level: more information for more knowledge. Learn more...
   

• Britannica Student Encyclopedia Library
  Intermediate level: plenty of information for most students' needs. Learn more...
   

•  Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia Library
  Easiest level: shorter, easy-to-read encyclopedia articles. Learn more...

Each Library provides an encyclopedia and:

• Merriam-Webster's Collegiate or Student Dictionary
  Look up definitions, pronunciations, word histories, synonyms, and antonyms. Use the Control Panel to search for words or double-click a word in an encyclopedia article to look it up.
   

• Merriam-Webster's Collegiate or Student Thesaurus
  Find appropriate alternate words and express yourself with precision by looking up words in the thesaurus.
   

• Images
  Thousands of images (photographs, art, diagrams, maps, etc.) accompany the articles in each encyclopedia. Focus on images in your search results or discover them as you browse.
   

• Multimedia
  Find thousands of video clips, sound clips, and multimedia presentations as you search and browse. The three libraries share some of the multimedia, but if multimedia is your interest, be sure to look in all three!  
   

• Magazines
  When you are connected to the Internet, your search includes articles in selected online magazines.  The magazines differ based on the Library you select.
   

• Web Sites
  We sift through thousands of Web sites so you don't have to! When you're connected to the Internet, a search includes results from our indexed Web sites. Each Web site has been reviewed and rated for relevancy by Britannica editors. You'll also find links to related Web Sites with encyclopedia articles.