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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. ============================================================================