The Random House Kid's Encyclopedia

This CD-ROM encyclopedia, from
Knowledge Adventure, is full of information and fun. Designed for the young user, The Random House Kid's Encyclopedia offers reference material as well as arcade games and a "Movie Theater."
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Content

This CD-ROM encyclopedia consists of two CD's. As the user begins, the "Video Kids" are introduced. The Video Kids are digitized kids, not cartoon characters, that offer help along the way.

As one enters the futuristic Main Street, the user may choose one of the three areas to investigate. A Video Kid is always there to assist at any time on television screens. [Top of Page]

Fact-ory: One CD contains the reference, or the Fact-ory. In this section the user can look up encyclopedia articles and hear them narrated. The Fact-ory also offers graphics, animation, full color photographs, and videos. The user has a choice of five program modes to locate articles. These program modes are icons located on the screen at all times. The user can look up information chronologically, by location, alphabetically, through a tour with a Video Kid guide, or by subject categories.

The user is also able to save information to a notebook , print pictures and text, access the bibliography of an entry, and replay a movie or animation. The user can also access further references by a word index and hypertext links. A wealth of information is only a click away. [Top of Page]

Arcade: The second CD offers the user a choice of five games. These games are Zoomscope Scavenger Hunt, Letter Rip, Match-O-Ram, Puzzle Time, and Brain Blazer. All these games are educational and fun. [Top of Page]

Movies: At the back of the walk down Main Street, is the Movie Theater. There are 120 videos and animations for the user to choose. [Top of Page]


Audience

This CD-ROM encyclopedia is for children, ages 7-12. Students will enjoy the futuristic graphics, ease of finding information, and the Video Kid guides. The information is short and concise. This is a good beginning encyclopedia for the suggested ages. [Top of Page]

Ease of Use

This CD is fairly easy to maneuver. There is a considerable wait time between changing the CD's and walking up and down Main Street. The reference information is selective, but adequate for this age group.

A users guide is included with the CD's along with a trouble- shooting pamphlet. The user's manual is very explanatory and easy to understand.

Knowledge Adventure provides several different ways to get in touch with their technical support. They offer a 24 hour Bulletin Board system, telephone and fax numbers, direct on-line access through the help icon, and an e-mail address. [Top of Page]


Installation Details

Minimum system requirements: IBM, or compatible, 486SX 25 or higher processor, 4 MB of RAM, SVGA 256 color monitor, CD-ROM drive, hard disk w/8 MB of disk space free, sound card, mouse, speakers, Windows 3.1 or higher, and a printer. [Top of Page]

Other Reviews

Schwartz, Bruce. "Rating Encyclopedias for Fun and Facts." USA Today. February 2, 1995. Page 6D:

      "...a solid base of searchable knowledge on one disc, five
       cool games on the other." 

Review by Sandy Teague. Sandy has an MLIS endorsement from UT Austin (July 1995).
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