• Platform:   Windows 95 / NT / XP / Me / 98
• Media: CD-ROM
• Item Quantity: 1

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Amazon.co.uk Review
Britannica is probably the world's most famous encyclopaedia, in print since the mid-18th century, as well as being famously large in size and comprehensiveness. The 2002 CD version is just as comprehensive, including all the 32-volumes found in print, as well as a dictionary and world atlas, but has the advantage of fitting into a much smaller binding! The installation process gives the user the option to install completely (about 2 Gb), and avoid disk-swapping, or to run a partial install, which is much lighter on memory but then requires the CDs to use

The core of the software is as one would expect: Britannica's vast storehouse of knowledge and information, with entries on practically everything in existence. The articles and entries themselves are authoritative and interesting, each littered with hyperlinks through to other related topics of interest, and written by people as renowned and diverse as Einstein, Robert Louis Stevenson and Harry Houdini. Layered on top of this impressive core are related multimedia clips, both audio and visual, including panoramas and tours.

Britannica is designed like a Web site, with a homepage which is always easily accessible. From this, three main ways of accessing this treasure house of information are offered--Search, A-Z Britannica or Knowledge Navigator--and these are housed within the same pop-up window with Tabs at the top, so users can search once and click between the results on all three of these interfaces. Britannica has also indexed thousands of quality Web sites and these are returned as part of each search. This functions really well and adds a whole new depth of exploration.

Another aspect that Britannica's software works well on is in facilities to organise your own research. As well as bookmarks, you take a "note" about a particular item, or collate and layout your collections in an attractive, publishable format.

As well as the vast respository of knowledge, Britannica's software includes the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (10th Edition), a world atlas with statistics and facts, and, a particular favourite of this reviewer, a visually pleasing "Timelines" feature. This can show the developments in a particular area, dating back to 100,000 years BC, alongside each other if you wish, or on a single topic, from art, to architecture, to medicine, to the rather less usual "Childhood", which, for example, records the little-known fact that swings were first used for child entertainment on the island of Crete in 1600 BC!

This is fascinating software, well-rendered using Java, and, unlike other CD-encyclopaedia offerings, has more substance than style. Although a little bit difficult to navigate at first, once one is familiar it is both easy and pleasurable. Researchers, quiz fans, students, or people who simply enjoy reading and learning will find this software a joy. --Alison Jardine

From Children's Software Revue®
No comparison to its competitors, this three-CD encyclopaedia has significant strengths and weaknesses. Its best asset is its database of more than 86,000 articles, substantially more than Encarta 2002. But since a picture is worth a thousand words, Britannica's 5,274 images can't compete with Encarta's 19,000 plus. Similarly, Britannica has far fewer videos, audio clips and maps than Encarta or World Book. The program is fairly easy to use, although disc swapping is necessary. Additional features include free quarterly updates for one year, 56 "interactivities" (primarily animations), the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and a world atlas. The "visual tours" of a handful of selected topics (ecosystems, human anatomy, etc.) are very nice, but we wished for many more of these themed explorations.

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2 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   46 of 47 people found the following review helpful: How good is this CD?, 15 Nov 2001 By  "davey_levene" - See all my reviews Very, very good. Anyone in search of knowledge should immediatly turn to Encyclopedia Brittanica Deluxe 2002. As well as having all the other advantages over book encyclopedias, it can also be updated, which I think is brilliant. Also, Amazon's great price means that you can get fine information for a lower price than what the home Brittanica site offers!  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   24 of 25 people found the following review helpful: Delux by name and by use., 16 Jan 2002 By  kenshipway@aol.com (Peacehaven, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews The installation and use of this latest version has been what you would expect for such a fine product. The topic and index facilities provide you with what you are looking for with minimum number of selections and entry in the case of index searching.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) › See all 2 customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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