LM_NET: Library Media Networking
A big THANKS to all of you who shared your knowledge and experience with
the CD--New Information Finder. Below are the responses.
From: Jeanene Prince <Jeanene.Prince@m.k12.ut.us>
I recently purchased Information Finder for use on a stand alone computer
station in my Library Media Center. I am very pleased with the scope of
each article, and the graphics and text print very easily. I recently
used it with a fourth grade class studying various animals. The reading
level seems to be on par with the hard copy of World Book Encyclopedia.
I really can't address your networking concerns.
From: BLL_JBIVENS@pstcc.cc.tn.us
We just got the Info Finder the week before Christmas break. I've shown it
to kids from gr. 3 - 8 (obviously not all 750 of them, but several classes
anyway). I'm thinking about showing it to some of the 2nd graders soon.
The kids love it! They've already used up one ink cartridge in the short
time it has been available.
I have Grolier's on my computer here at home. I think Info Finder is easier
to use. Grolier's has animated things, like a space shuttle going up, and
sound effects. If the Info Finder has these, I haven't found them yet.
Our computer at school doesn't have speakers, so I can't find out about
the sound.
We don't have a network, just the one computer, so I'm not sure how it
works on network. Perhaps someone else can answer that.
We got Info Finder for $100 when we bought a new set of World Books (94 ed.
Couldn't afford the 95 at full price).
The kids find it highly readable, starting out with lower reading level
and advancing through article with more detail, harder concepts, and higher
reading level. The kids love the pictures too.
Now if I could figure out how to install a quarter collector on the
printer...
:)
From: Julie Walker <jawalker@tenet.edu>
We have it on a Novell network in six schools --- three HS, three MS. We
are running the DOS version which is text-based. I have heard nothing
but good comments on the technical side. Graphics would be a whole
nuther story!
From: Carolynne Miller <cmiller@cln.etc.bc.ca>
I use the Information Finder on a stand alone and am considering buying
the network version. It is used constantly and would be so accessible if
I could put on the tower that I have. So.... Please pass on any
information about the networking aspect ----
From: Win Fox <wfox@umd5.umd.edu>
I just installed it on my network this week. Bought the 94 version
because when I talked to the technical advisor at World Book he told me
they were thinking of adding more bell and whistles to the 95 edition.
I've had Comptons Multimedia Encyclopedia on my network for about a year
and think it is a dog...too many distractors, too slow, not accessible
from enough stations at the same time, won't print enough. So far the
Information Finder seems superior in all these areas, but my experience
is very limited. I'll know more in a week or two. My school is K-6.
From: Jackie Carrigan PLAINFIELD COMM SCHLS
<carrigan@ideanet.doe.state.in.us>
We use it on our network with NO problems. You don't get any graphics,
all text. We have had as many as 35-40 students using it at once with no
problems. We are a high school, 9-12, using Novell.
From: Donna Helvering <dhelveri@esu3.esu3.k12.ne.us>
I have purchased the World Book CD for use with 6th - 8th grades. We
have been pleased with its performace so far. It prints selections or
whole articles and some graphics. I do not recommend putting it on a
network. We have a server and CD ROm tower..but the multimedia CD's are
too slow. I think we only have rights to one station anyway. Hope this
helps! Donna
From: rgreenbe@sescva.esc.edu
We have this product networked and have found it to be excellent and best of
all networkable.
From: Bev Bauer <0623ewel@InforMNs.k12.MN.US>
I added it to our network several months ago and love it. We have an alias
on the desktop that opens with a double click. (This is on a Mac but my
file server is ms-dos). It goes to all classrooms, K-6 in a building of
about 550 students. We have not had any technical or network problems with
it. The teachers have not complained about it being slower than a
stand-alone but I think it is, at least with our setup.
All grades use it but with different types of activities of course. The
articles and many of the graphics follow the exact print article so that
will give you an idea of reading level.
It has a notepad (clipboard) for copy/paste or notetaking. It is easy to
print the whole article. I encourage the students not to do that. I tell
them we already have a print copy. They should select what they need from
the article and just print that. I also try to help them understand how
the cd-rom version can help them in a way that is different from the print
version. They especially like the indexing and getting information in a
place they might not generally find in the print set. (They were excited
when they found information about Colonial America in the article
firetrucks). It has helped them use both the print and cd-rom more
effectively.
I think the graphics are exceptional. I was surprised at how clear the
resolution is.
From: Don Carter <dcarter@bud.peinet.pe.ca>
We have this item in our senior high school network (10-12) and consider
it right up there with sliced bread as a GREAT THING.
It would be suitable down to upper elementary grades (5-6) in my opinion.
Easy to print from allowing you four options:full article, surrent
section, current page or selected material.
From: Jo Ann Ayers Lynn <LYNNJA@TEN-NASH.TEN.K12.TN.US>
we are not networked, but do have info finder in our library. It is very
easy for our third and fourth graders toa ccess and the reading/use level
is about right for them. We got a *very* special deal on it and it has
been used quite alot.
From: Susan Spaniol <SPANIOLS@cooke.northville.k12.mi.us>
We have Information Finder running on a building-wide Novell network
and have had great success with it. We do not have the newest
version, which I understand includes graphics - ours is the text-only
version. It is easy to use - the kids search and print with little
assistance. We are a grade 6-8 Middle School.
On our network, each student has his own login password, and
Information Finder is on everyone's file as a menu item, so it is
always available... One problem that crops up is that when an entire
class is in the computer lab and everyone tries to login to the
Information Finder AT THE SAME TIME, the system crashes. Teachers
know that they must stagger the initial logins to the program to
avoid this... Does this help?
From: "Schaeffer, Vicki" <vschaeff@coz.bham.wednet.edu>
We have a Windows NT server and Information Finder (New Illustrated, etc)
installed in the CD bay of the fileserver. We have 23 workstations
networked.
InfoFinder is wonderful! It slows down a bit when all 23 machines are
accessing at one time, but when only the lab of 15 is in use, access time is
very reasonable. So far we've used it with classes from 3rd - 5th, but K
through 2nd graders love to come in at lunch recess and browse the picture
galleries. I'll be using it with 2nd grade classes within a couple weeks.
Our elementary helping teacher says she's used it with first graders.
print them, but we've not been able to drop one to disk and import into a
kid multimedia presentation.
So far, I'm very impressed with Information Finder!
Searching is easy and fast. You can cut and copy to the notepad, and save
the notepad to disk or hard drive. The graphics are excellent
From: Elaine Arciszewski <earcisze@llnj.pppl.gov>
We are using the 1993 Information Finder on a Novell network. it is great-
not problems printing. we do not have windows so we are not printing
graphics.
From: rpalmer@horry.sc.fred.org
We are running the World Book New Illustrated Information Finder
on our Novell IClass Network. In fact we are running both the
older version (non-illustrated) and the new illustrated version.
If you are currently running the older version and want to add
the new illustrated version to your menu then you will have to
change the path name slightly.
Even though WBNI Info Find has a windows icon and is listed in
the windows menu it is not accessed in windows, but from the
network menu.
Any pictures that World Book owns can be printed, but I have
not seen that many. The maps can be printed and come out in a
fairly good quality. There is a timeline, but it can not be
printed.
My school is a middle school (grades 6-8) and our students and
teachers like this version very much. The only problem that we
are really having at this time is a technical problem. We have
a large token ring system. Our CD-Server is on one part of the
token ring and our upstairs and and another building are on
another part; therefore, two sections are not getting either
version of Information Finder.-----As I said, a technical problem.
From: Sue Passarelli <spassare@esu3.esu3.k12.ne.us>
Hi, Jo. I do not have Information Finder on a network, but I do have it
at a Mac station in our K-6 media center. I think it is very easy for
students to use. We have it with a laserwriter printer and it does
beautiful printouts. It prints maps, and some drawings. The photographs
are very good, but they will not print. I really like the tables and
charts. For example, when someone wants infor on a country or state, you
can print out a Facts in Brief table. You can choose to print the whole
article, a section, or page. We haven't had any problems with it. The
kids wish it had sound, but that's the only real complaint. I found a
great chart of all the Newbery and Caldecott medal winners. Hope this helps.
Thanks again for the grreat response :-)
Jo Schaer
Media Specialist
Westmoor & Roosevelt Elementary
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
308-635-6255
308-635-6259
jschaer@panesu.esu14.K12.ne.us
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