TARGET> American Indian CD-ROM

[Pat Moore <moore@PELOPS.SCL.AMESLAB.GOV>]

Thanks to the following folks for taking the time to provide critiques of
the Facts on File American Indian CD-ROM.

Look elsewhere!  It would be a good book and tape, but not CD.  Screens
are badly designed, all b/w; no picture identifications.  I reviewed it
for Booklist - who doesn't print negative reviews.  Carolyn Markuson

The content is magnificent, but it runs very slowly on my older model IBM
286.  The period photos and the archival music are definitely worth the
price of admission.  The edition I have does not link photos and sound,
which would be a great addition for the dances in particular.  Excellent
for the more able high school student.  I use it mainly as a teacher
resource until we can upgrade our machines.  Very definitely an in-depth
resource; not for the dilettante.  Judith Harrington

We previewed The American Indian Multimedia Encyclopedia and decided we
did not like it.  It was complicated and clunky to use.  This was in
comparison to Microsoft's Encarta, which we like and which our kids find
easy to use.  Marilyn Kimura

Initially it was VERY SLOW.  We consulted the Facts on File customer
support and they suggested loading portions onto our hard drive.  This
helped quite a bit and the support people were very nice.  The content of
the encyclopedia is just what our social studies teachers want and it fits
our curriculum perfectly  The disk is surprisingly monochrome--not much
color.  It took us a while to figure out how to navigate the thing.  It's
not the most intuitive product out there.  Our students don't choose this
disk for free-time use.  They prefer the flashier CDs like Grolier,
Guinness, etc.  It's also on the expensive side ($295).  I would recommend
it if you can use the content in your curriculum as we do.  Otherwise,
it's a sleeper.  I've read great reviews of this . . . and I wondered if
we were using the same product!  Patricia Gosda

Thanks again!

Patricia Moore
Media Specialist
North Polk Jr.Sr. High
Alleman, IA 50007
moore@pelops.scl.ameslab.gov