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          LMNETTERS,

          I would like to thank everyone who send me messages on their
          preference of encyclopedia on cdrom.  I received a lot of
          responses.

          I have totaled the responses for the following versions:
               Grolier=14
               Encarta=15
               World Book Information Finder=7
               Britannica=1
               Comptons=0

          I only tallied the type of encyclopedia respondents mentioned as
          their favorite.

          I am also listing the all the responses I received.  I know there
          was a discussion about including names, but I can;t remember the
          outcome and have included the names and address of the responses.
          Sorry if I have offended anyone.  Thanks again.  My coworker was
          really impressed with the number of responses.

          Jennifer Lyn (Bertovich) Kaysak
          Contract Librarian
          Environmental Financing Information Network
          Environmental Protection Agency
          Washington, DC 20460
          KAYSAK.JENNIFER@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV


  ORIGINAL MESSAGE placed October 24, 1995:

  Subject: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

            Dear LM_NETTERS,

            I have a co-worker who is looking for a good encyclopedia on
            CDROM.  As a former school librarian, I have suggested
            Encyclopedia Americana and Groliers.  He plans to buy it as a
            present for his high school age children.  I looked in the
            LM_NET archives and found a discussion about Groliers having
            problems but no one saying if it had be fixed or not.  I would
            appreciate some advice.


            Jennifer Lyn (Bertovich) Kaysak
            Contract Librarian
            Environmental Financing Information Network
            Environmental Protection Agency
            Washington, DC 20460
            KAYSAK.JENNIFER@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV






  RESPONSES:



                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 06:46am EDT
                                          From:     Karen Perry
                                                   perryk@hamlet.uncg.edu

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Jennifer:
       I would recommend the Britannica CD - it is new and especially
  appropriate for high school.  Grolier's is too simple if they are above
  average and they can get that at school or any public library.
  Karen Perry
  Griffin Middle School
  Formerly High Point Central High School
  perryk@hamlet.uncg.edu
  ===========================================================================
                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 01:27am EDT
                                          From:     Kaaren Linton
                                               Kaaren.Linton@m.k12.ut.us

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Encarta!!!!!  THe '96 version is only $50 at the local Circuit City
  store.  It is great!
  Kaaren Linton                 kaaren.linton@m.k12.ut.us
  Salt Lake City, UT

  ==========================================================================
                                          Date:     24-Oct-1995 09:12pm EDT
                                          From:     ANDREA L MILLER
                                                 AMILLER@vaxa.clarion.edu


  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM


  Hi, Jennifer!
       I would recommend Encarta.  --Andrea

  ===========================================================================
                                          Date:     24-Oct-1995 05:44pm EDT
                                          From:     tcb027
                                             tcb027@lion.connect.more.net


  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM
  We tried several but didn't like any as well as The World Book Information
  Finder.  It doesn't have pictures but the text is the same as the book.  You
  can print all or parts of articles or the outline.  Our students like it.


  Kay Ellis                               Hannibal High School
  Media Specialist                        4500 McMasters Ave.
  kellis@hannibal.k12.mo.us               Hannibal, MO 63401
  Fax: 314-221-9511                       314-221-2733


  Boyhood Home of Mark Twain

  =============================================================================
                                          Date:     24-Oct-1995 05:39pm EDT
                                          From:     Rebecca Keller

  rkeller@starbase1.htls.lib.il.us


  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  I like Grolier's as being the most complete.  I also have encarta and
  compton's.

  =============================================================================
                                          Date:     24-Oct-1995 05:04pm EDT
                                          From:     DEMSKO, DOUG

  DWD@psulias.psu.edu@IN@PYXIS

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Hi Jennifer,

     I have both Compton's and The New Grolier Multimedia on CD-Rom and
  overall I like the New Grolier one better. For the price New Grolier is
  great for high school students. I also used it when I student taught last
  year as the high school I was at had the network version.

  Note: The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia is the Academic American
  print encyclopedia on CD-ROM. Articles are the same.

  Doug Demsko
  Ref. Asst.
  PSU Hazleton

  Hope to soon be a school librarian in Ohio!


  =============================================================================

                                          Date:     24-Oct-1995 07:39pm EDT
                                          From:     Fred Muller Newton
                                                    fmuller@planet.net@IN@PYXIS


  Subject: CD encyclopedias

  I had been a strong supporter of the Grolier for the last few versions
  but I do not like the new one at all - the printing problems can all be
  fixed with a patch from the company.  I find it too busy.  Too much ends
  up on the screen at once.  They have gotten carried away with the
  multimedia idea.  I am not aware of an americana one.
     I asked LMNET about their opinions and they seemed to recommend

  Encarta in the multimedia direction and World book for textual
  information.  I have ordered Encarta and have previewed World Book.  I
  think I will get that next year instead of the Grolier.  I am not sure
  what I would say about World Book for HS.  The paper copy is not
  necessarily written for that level.


  Frederick Muller,      Halsted Middle School Library
  Librarian              59 Halsted Street               voice (201) 383-7554
  fmuller@planet.net     Newton, NJ  07860                 FAX (201) 383-7432

  ============================================================================

                                          Date:     24-Oct-1995 09:47pm EDT
                                          From:     Cheri Jantzen
                                                    cjantzen@tenet.edu@IN@PYXIS


  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  World Book Information Finder is good.

  ============================================================================




                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 09:10am EDT
                                          From:     MARTINV
                                            MARTINV@TEN-NASH.TEN.K12.TN.US

  Subject: Encyclopedias

  We were using Grolier's 1995 and had no problems after our tech man
  adjusted some of the setup files on the computer.  You DO need 8 meg RAM
  for it to run best.  4 meg runs too slowly.

  We have had no problems with Grolier's version 6 (the "original"?)

  I also recommend Microsoft's _Encarta_.  It's an attractive presentation
  and works well for us on 8 meg RAM.

  Va. Martin          MartinV@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us
  Ketron Middle School
  Kingsport, TN

  ============================================================================

                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 08:35am EDT
                                          From:     Nancy Peterson

  nancyp@seq250.rollingpls.lib.il.us



  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Jennifer--get a copy of the 9/15/95 _Booklist_; it has the annual
  exhaustive encyclopedia evaluation.  The important thing is to get
  a title which will run on the hardware available--even though they
  may have sound and video, they won't perform if the computer doesn't
  have the capacity.
  Hope this helps...

  Nancy M. Peterson, Librarian      nancyp@seq250.rollingpls.lib.il.us
  Douglas MacArthur High School                  *or*
  1155 North Fairview Ave.          npeterso@isbe.state.il.us
  Decatur  IL  62522
  VOICE: 217-424-3156               HOME VOICE: 217-877-4609
  FAX:   217-424-3167                    FAX:   217-877-4950

  "If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em...."

  =========================================================================

                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 09:59am EDT
                                          From:     McGinn - Barbara

  bmcginn@umd5.umd.edu@IN@PYXIS


  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  personally, I think Microsoft Encarta is the best, both in info and in
  ease of printing etc.

  Barbara mcGinn, Media Specialist
  Oak Hill Elem.
  Severna Park, Md.  bmcginn@umd5.umd.edu
  ========================================================================

                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 10:06am EDT
                                          From:     Bigwood, David
                                                    bigwood@lpi.jsc.nasa.gov

  Subject: Encyclopedia


  Jennifer,

  I would also suggest Encarta.  The price is great.  I recently purchased it
  at a discount software store for $45.00.  It came with a $35.00 mail in
  rebate.  So the final cost was 10.00.  Not bad for an encyclopedia.

  I find the graphics and sound files much better than Groliers, which came
  installed on our new machine.

  Sincerely,
  David Bigwood

  bigwood@lpi.jsc.nasa.gov
  Lunar & Planetary Institute

  ==========================================================================
                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 11:16am EDT
                                          From:     hart
                                                    hart@eagle.d91.k12.id.us
  ubject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  The best encyclopedia on CDROM is Encarta by Microsoft.  We have one of the
  first versions and also Encarta '95.  We also have Grolier's 1995 and I
  personally have Compton's at home.  There is no comparison.  The graphics
  are better, the text is easier to read and more interesting too.  The
  students use the others only when Encarta is busy.  We have also used World
  Book's Information Finder and find it is lacking.  Have you seen the new
  multimedia encyclopedia from World Book?  If so, what do you think?
      Good luck!
      Nancy Hart
       Eagle Rock Jr. High
       Idaho Falls, Id  83402
       208-525-7708

  ========================================================================
                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 11:27am EDT
                                          From:     Kim Vawter
                                                    kvawter@esu3.esu3.k12.ne.us
       Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Maps in color do not print in color in version 6 [Grolier}

  ========================================================================
                                   Date:     25-Oct-1995 02:05pm EDT
                                          From:     Linda K Hill
  ubject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Personally I like Information Finder, I'm only using the DOS version, but
  I like the information better than the Grolier's that we have on the
  network. Encarta is great for just looking and learning on your own, it's
  mulltmedia parts are really good--but the information is sometimes hard
  to find. I haven't seen Americana on CDROM yet. We also have
  comptons--it's OK.

  Linda Hill     lkhill@isbe.state.il.us
  Meridian High School Librarian
  728 S. Wall Box 380
  Macon, IL 62544

  ========================================================================
                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 03:53pm EDT
                                          From:     sfeuerba

  sfeuerba@po-1.aea9.k12.ia.us

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM


  Groliers (1995) encyclopedia problems seemed to have been solved for me
  when I got new computers last spring.  DO NO BUY the Encyclopedia
  Americana.  As a student in Reference class this last summer (my last class
  in Media!),  we reviewed this Cd for the company.  We did not like it at
  all.  It costs $600, the pictures did not print on one page, the
  information was as out of date as the hard copy.  I have Encarta, World
  Book and Groliers in our library and I would recommend either World Book or
  Groliers.

  Susan Feuerbach
  Media Specialist
  Preston IA
  ========================================================================


                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 04:08pm EDT
                                          From:     elisa
                                                    elisa@sonic.net@IN@PYXIS
  Subject: CD ROM Encyclopedias

  Hello.  I would recommend Encarta by Microsoft.  I have it here on a network
  and the students love it.  It has video, sound, interactive units, pictures
  and all are printable.  It is inexpensive too ($35.00?).  I've had Groliers
  and like it but this is definitely more fun.  Good Luck!

  ========================================================================
                                          Date:     25-Oct-1995 07:15pm EDT
                                          From:     Eileen Woodworth Sexton
                                                    ews@tenet.edu@IN@PYXIS
  ubject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  I also like Encarta and so do my students!

  Eileen Sexton, Librarian
  Duncanville Ninth Grade School
  7101 W. Wheatland Rd.
  Dallas, TX  75249
  (214)298-5436    ews@tenet.edu
  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Lee Ann Nichols
                                                    leeann@csn.net@IN@PYXIS

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Groliers 1995 has a problem with the printing function.  It can be fixed
  with a file downloaded from their bulletin board.  I have heard that you
  can also send the disk in and get a replacement but I don't know about
  that.  There is a good review of CD Rom encyclopedias in MultiMedia
  Schools Sept/Oct 1995 edition.  I have Grolier's, Comptons, and Encarte.
  I like Groliers's and Encarta.

  LeeAnn Nichols, Librarian
  Peetz School, Peetz Colorado 80747

  Caliche Jr/Sr High School, Iliff, Co 80736

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Dr. Dana McDougald
                                                    dmcdouga@moe.coe.uga.edu

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  I think World Book's Information Finder is great.


  Dana McDougald, Media Specialist
  Cedar Shoals H. S.
  Athens, Ga. 30605
  dmcdouga@moe.coe.uga.edu

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     meg000

  meg000@lion.connect.more.net

          : Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Please use your money for Encarta it seems to work on the networks better
  and is a really good resouce for High school age students.  We really like
  it. Have both the Encarta 95 and Groliers but prefer the Encarta.  Wish we
  had the 96.

  Pat Walker  Library/Media Specialist       Richmond R-XVI A+ High School
  451 South Street
  Richmond,Missouri 64085                    pwalkeri@cyclops.pei.edu
  816-776-2226 (voice)   816-776-8748 (fax)  or meg000@more.net (email )

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Rob W. Darrow
                                             rdarrow@cello.gina.calstate.edu
   Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  I would buy ENCARTA..much more complete then Grolier's..and more interesting
  for HS students.

  Rob Darrow
  rdarrow@cello.gina.calstate.edu
  Library Media Teacher
  Alta Sierra Intermediate School
  Clovis, CA

  ========================================================================

                                        From:     Ron.McAtee
                                                    Ron.McAtee@bbs.nitco.com


  Subject: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM


  Reviews I have read say Microsoft Encarta is the best.  I have it,
  Groliers and Info finder.  Each has it's benefits and drawbacks.  My
  main problem with Encarta is that it needs Windows, therefore, a more
  powerful machine than the ones in my Media Center.

  Ron McAtee
  Kankakee Valley HS
  Wheatfield, IN

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Sarah Helman
                                                    shelman@csn.net@IN@PYXIS
  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Jennifer,
  My favorite encyclopedia on CDROM in Encarta.  I have had the '94 and the
  '95 versions and have the '96 ready to install.

  Sarah Helman
  shelman@teal.csn.net          ***************************
  Horizon Middle School            * A hug a day, keeps a    *
  1750 Piros Drive                * smile on your face.     *
  Colorado Springs, CO 80915      ***************************
  719-574-7700 (Voice)
  719-574-6819 (FAX)

  ========================================================================
                                          From:     Mary Jo Godwin
                                                    mjgodwin@oryxpress.com

  Subject: Cd-encyclopedia

  Jennifer, Your friend can find some expert advice and good reviews of
  current cd-rom encyclopedias in a book we publish, Kister's Best
  Encyclopedias by Ken Kister 1994. The local public library may have a copy
  or you can find out more about this and other Oryx publications on our web
  site http://www.oryxpress.com. If you would like for me to send a brochure
  of catalog by regular mail just let me know. Hope this is helpful. Mary jo
  Mary Jo Godwin, Director of Marketing Services
  The Oryx Press
  4041 N. Central Ste. 700
  Phoenix, AZ 85012-3397
  602/265-2651 ext. 636
  fax:602/265-6250
  mjgodwin@oryxpress.com

  ========================================================================

                                         From:     Russell Smith

                                                    rssmith@tenet.edu@IN@PYXIS

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

     The 1995 Grolier's works fine...Encarta is also good.


  Russell Smith
  rssmith@tenet.edu          rssmith7@delphi.com
  Ed.Tech Consultant         Newspaper and Magazine Columnist
  Region 14 ESC Abilene, Tx  Fax 915.675.8659 Voice 915.675.8647

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Pamela Lawrence Spencer
                                                    pamespen@tenet.edu@IN@PYXIS
  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Jennifer,
       We have Encarta, Grolier, and Compton's at our school and Encarta
  is the hands-down favorite. It is easy to print from and move around in.
  Kids will stand in line waiting to use Encarta even if there is no one on
  the other computers loaded with another encyclopedia.

  Pame Spencer
  Librarian
  pamespen@tenet.edu

  ========================================================================



                                          From:     ghodur

  ghodur@redshift.com@IN@PYXIS

  Subject: Gen:Grolier95 - printing

  >
  >I mentioned yesterday to our area Grolier rep that there were people on
  >LM_Net having a problem with the print command on Grolier 95. He gave me
  >this toll free number & encouraged me to post it for all of you. There were
  >some glitches in the program when it first came out. They are replacing
  >free any CD's that have problems. Grolier is very concerned about this
  >(Doug said) & are anxious to solve any problems you might have with your
  >software. The number is 800-243-7256. Hope this helps
  >Sheryl Blair
  >Sullivan Middle School
  >Kingsport TN
  >blairs@ten-nash.ten.k-12.tn.us
  >

  *****************************************************************************
  *

  Gayle Hodur
  ghodur@redshift.com

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Gerry Solomon
                                             GSOLOMON@dpiogate.dpi.state.nc.us

  Jennifer,

  Another possibility is Microsoft's Encarta.  This one has the most
  multimedia.  They claim that from now on it will be updated with articles
  monthly that can be downloaded from their bulletin board.

  Gerry Solomon
  Public Schools of NC
  Instructional Technology Division
  gsolomon@dpi.state.nc.us

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Yvonne T. Rothenberg
                                                    ytrothen@mailbox.syr.edu

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Please check reviews- suggest Computers in Libraries- I think it was the
  sept issue for a fine review.

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     fup001

  fup001@lion.connect.more.net

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Did you get the message about the company that sells CD-ROM's cheap?
  Michael Kankiewicz sent out the 800 number for MEI/Micro Center.  One
  example was Grolier's encyclopedia for $14.97.  The Number is 1-800-634-3478.

  Kay Goss, Director Library Media Services
  Mansfield High School
  P. O. Box 107
  Mansfield, Mo.  65704   Home of Laura Ingalls Wilder
  fup001@mail.connect.more.net

  ==========================================================================

                                          From:     sbleecke

  sbleecke@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu

       We had problems with Grolier's 95 at first, but it was eventually

  solved, I think that most of the problem was with our system, rather than
  with Grolier's 95.  We had to turn off some of the items in our system file
  to get it to work.

       There are both Mac and PC versions of the Grolier's 95.

       Good luck,

       Skip Bleecker

  --
     Harrie (Skip) Bleecker, Shepherd Elementary Library, Shepherd, MI
     Potter, Sculptor, Computer Artist, Librarian, Genealogy
     8310 E. Remus Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
     sbleecke@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu

  ========================================================================

                                          From:     Judith Matthew
                                                    jumatth@telis.org

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Jennifer:  I recently posted a question on LM_NET about CD-ROM
  encyclopedias.  The best suggestion I got was to check the September 15
  issues of BookList.  It contains a very thorough article on print and
  CD-ROM encyclopedias.
       Good Luck, Judy Matthew

  =======================================================================


  Subject: Sec: GEN: Encarta, do you like?

       I've used both Encarta and Groliers with graduate students (teachers and
  library media) and I tend to like Groliers better.  At various times we have
  done some informal testing of the quality of the articles in both.  I also
  prefere the search engine in Groliers over that of Encarta because Groliers
  provides for phrase searching by using multiple search boxes rather than the
  more complicate approach of quotation marks and brackets in Encarta.
   However, the teachers in my classes tended to prefere Encarta.  They liked
  all the options for sound and graphics.  I think it would be an interesting
  study to compare the features of the various electronic encyclopedias that
  are available today.  I will put that on my Advanced To Do list.  :)
       I think it is important not to loose sight of the information students
  can gather from the videos, graphics, animation, pictures, and sounds that
  are available in these encyclopedias.  We tend to believe that text carries
  the major message and all the multimedia options are just extras, but that is
  not necessarily accurate.  Pictures, sound, and motion video carry powerful
  messages and often that format for information delivery causes students to
  understand the concept better and have longer memory retention.   The problem
  does not necessarily reside with the format in which information is
  presented, but rather with a student's ability to clip an electronic note of
  the information.  Students can put portions of the text into their own

  electronic file or print out hard copy.  Many (but not all) electronic
  encyclopedias do enable students to print still pictures as well.  However it
  is much more challenging to retain (and use) an electronic copy of the
  picture, sound, or graphic for your notes.    This process only further
  muddies the copyright issues but I believe students must have this option and
  we need to encourage producers to make this available.
  Marjorie Pappas
  Coordinator, Division of School Library Media Studies
  University of Northern Iowa
  Email:  MarjorieP@aol.com
  Voice:  319-273-2578

  ========================================================================

  Subject: Re: Sec: GEN: Encarta, do you like?

  I have Encarta both at home and at school and find it very useful.  I
  also have Grolier and Compton's at school at the students gravitate
  toward Grolier first because we had that first.  There is a review of all
  the multimedia encyclopedias in MultiMedia Schools Sept/ Oct 1995 issue.
  it is very well done.

  LeeAnn Nichols, Librarian
  Peetz School, Peetz Colorado 80747
  Caliche Jr/Sr High School, Iliff, Co 8073




  ===========================================================================


                                          From:     Donna S Cook
                                                    dsc@tenet.edu

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  Look into the new World Book on CD-ROM that is just now out.  It will
  probably beat the others hands down.  I intend to buy it at its reduced
  promotional rate.  Donna Cook, Nacogdoches, TX  <dsc@tenet.edu>

  ========================================================================

  Subject: Re: Sec: GEN: Encarta, do you like?

  Regarding the discussion of Encarta vs Groliers - We have Groliers,
  having had it before Encarta became so popular and common, therefore
  sticking with it.  A teacher who got a home computer with Encarta on it
  told me last week that when you get past the bells and whistles, she
  doesn't think it is all that good as far as information goes.  Liked
  Groliers much better.  Also, everyone should read the research regarding
  multimedia and what kids learn and retain from it in the current SLMQ.
  We better be careful about assuming that kids will learn more and faster
  and retain it better from multimedia.  There are facets of the learner

  and the product that must be attended to if it is to be effective.

  Diane Durbin
  dianed@tenet.edu

  ==========================================================================

  Subject: Re: REF: Need good Encyclopedia on CDROM

  We really like Groliers and have had no problems with it.  We also have the
  Information finder (World Book) and First connections (Golden).  Each
  student seems to prefer a different one for a different reason.  There is
  also a new one, the name which escapes me, that is reasonable and good.

   Pat Wende <sunp0134@llwisc.wecb.state.wi.us>

  ==========================================================================

  Reply-To: kwarchol@nylink.org
  X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

  We use both Grolier and Encarta on the high school level.  When kids look up
  the same topic on both cd's, the Grolier supplies far more information.

  ============================================================================


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