Computers Today, November 1-15, 1999, Read Right: On the Info-treasure Trail

The multimedia-rich compendium is sure to bring out the curious child within you. Relive the serendipity of the yesteryear.

Memories of one's early learning days generally remain fresh forever. I remember the first time I laid my hands upon the National Geographic: it was with reverential bliss. Then there was that slide show that my sixth class teacher treated us to-the romantic sights of the city of Venice with Gondolas floating past. With maturing taste, I immersed myself in my first musical concert. The artiste was mandolin wonder "Master" U. Srinivas in one of the Rama Navami celebrations. In later years, history began to thrill me-news reels, vintage movie clips, '25 years ago' columns in the newspaper and so on. Thankfully, today the past can almost be recaptured, relived and, importantly, rediscovered with the Encarta Encyclopedia experience.

Runs on: Multimedia PC or compatible PC with 486DX, 50 MHz or higher microprocessor, double-speed or faster CD-ROM drive; an SVGA monitor supporting 256 colours
Distributors: Innoserv Systems Pvt Ltd
147, Gautam Nagar, New Delhi 110 6680 E-mail: sales@cdindia.com
Price: Rs 2,295

The Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99 is a treasure trove of information, which is not only explorative but also quite exhaustive in nature. If you are looking for any information in particular, it serves as an excellent research tool with a wide range of topics and a variety of media options. The encyclopedia has 30,000 articles integrated with rich media and ease-of-use devices such as an outline frame, media frame, article frame and scroll bar. The article on Nehru, for instance, has a photo with links to caption and audio material. Click on the photo and the caption comes up, while a click on the audio button has Nehru's famous "The light has gone out of my life" speech delivered after the death of Gandhi. The access to historic speeches and events makes it an enlightening experience. In fact, the product contains 7,500 captivating photos and illustrations, 80 engaging videos and animation clips, and 2,000 audio clips including music, literary excerpts and animal sounds.

The problem with a two-CD encyclopaedia, however, is that you have to constantly change the CDs to enjoy the audio and video links offered. In the beginning, when you are just getting acquainted with all that the Encarta has to offer, it can be quite engaging. But if you are sitting down for a journey of discovery, it is not like cuddling up with a favourite book. The message "Insert CD 2" interrupts the tryst with learning that you have embarked upon. And like Murphy's Law, the multimedia link you are looking for is always in the other CD. However, if it is just a single query stopover, you are guaranteed to emerge as an authority on the subject!

What I liked best though was the interactivity and topic trail options. For instance, let's take musical instruments. You find a display of pictures of instruments from across the world, perched at their location of origin on the map. Click on the sitar, and you have a strain from Ravi Shankar's rendering. You can hear a solo performance or an ensemble. It is comforting to see that the CDs do not lack Indian content-and quality stuff at that. The trail takes you into a long explorative tour of different subjects, be it the performances, history, art and literature. You will have quite a few surprises leaping out at you on this trip. Frankly, I am still reeling under the shock of seeing a pretty Dutch courtesan in the sub-category of dances and dancers-she was none other than the notorious spy of World War I-Mata Hari. Now, was she more a dancer, and less a spy? Thank you Encarta for bringing back to life the child in me.