• Platform:   Windows 95 / 98 / Me / XP / NT
• Media: DVD-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 DVD 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, and just one disk

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 include articles by people as renowned and diverse as Einstein, Robert Louise 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

Manufacturer's Description
Bring the world's best knowledge resource to your desktop with Encyclopedia Britannica 2002 DVD Edition, the all-in-one resource featuring a comprehensive, highly visual encyclopedia plus dictionary and world atlas - all on one disc. With Britannica's renowned knowledge index providing "intelligent search" capabilities, and a new and improved results display, get what you need - fast! Designed to engage all the senses, over seven hours of video and audio will take you on a learning adventure.

Smart Search, Best Results
Retrieves the information you need quickly, plus related knowledge areas that add richness and breadth to your search results, using a comprehensive index of over 613,000 knowledge links. This is the power behind the Britannica Advantage.

Flexible Search & Results Display NEW!
Search the way you prefer: simply ask a question or browse through an A-Z encyclopedia list. Filter your search results by media type quickly and easily. Click on "Web's Best" to access over 300,000 related Web sites selected by Britannica's renowned editors.

KnowledgeNavigator NEW!
Learn more by discovering unique perspectives on any topic as you explore a visual index of subjects. Search, browse, explore and zero in on an article of interest. Great for creative brainstorming.

Visual Tours & Special Features

• Enhance your learning experience with in-depth, visually-enriched topical tours. Traverse the world's ecosystems or explore the human body. Over 24 topics ranging from African Wildlife to Jazz Music.
• Britannica Classics proudly presents selected encyclopedia articles by our "Who's Who" of contributors such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Albert Einstein and Marie Curie.
• Interactivities, animations, and 360-degree panoramas engage and expand understanding.

Timelines
Timelines examines the effects of people, events, and discoveries from the dawn of civilization to the present. View over 4,100 entries for 14 subject areas including sports, technology, art, religion, and science.

World Atlas
Take a tour of the world through more than 1,300 clickable maps. Five different thematic treatments are offered for each country, plus current articles, multilevel maps, and up-to-date national statistics. Click your way around the world or zero in on continents, countries, regions, geographical features, or peoples.

Research Organizer
Create and type notes, enter bookmarks, capture pictures and format a report with the tools you'll find in Research Organiser.

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition
Get the right spelling and over 215,000 definitions with this complete dictionary resource.

2 Reviews 5 star:    (0) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   77 of 82 people found the following review helpful: Britannica Closes in on Encarta, 8 Dec 2001 By  "foytune" - See all my reviews I think this latest offering from Britannica is definitely the best yet. The DVD format offers easy and fast information on anything you could think of, and more! The menu is well layed out and makes the encyclopaedia easy to navigate, even for beginners. The price tag of £64.99 is easily generous for such a quality title. The new inclusions of visual tours expand the encyclopaedia and are a handy resource. The Britannica Encylopaedia is very concise and is very helpful for writing essays, finding research or for just browsing for details. Before i saw this product, i would have picked Encarta but now i would much rather use Britannica.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   Great Content, Lousily Wrapped, 17 Feb 2004 By  "koko321" - See all my reviews This is no doubt a great reference. You get the quality articles from Britannica on one DVD. The interface is written in Java, which makes it slow to start up and slow to use unless you have a fast computer. There is a bug, so you cannot get the free updates, unless you install a free patch (available from Britannica.com). It is possible to install the Britannica on your hard drive (takes 700Mb), but not entirely like it is possible under Windows. You will get all the articles, the dictionary and thumbnail pictures. If you want anything else, you will need your DVD handy. With a better interface, this would be a great reference work, even for the price you pay. Given the lousy finish the price seems too high. Additionally, if you are after multimedia contents, look elsewhere.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) › See all 2 customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews