Smithsonian's America

Published by Creative Multimedia. This CD-ROM captures an exhibit on American culture shown in 1994. $24.99. ISBN 1-880428-55-5. Windows.


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Content

 This comprehensive and beautiful CD-ROM is based on a Smithsonian exhibit on the "American experience" shown in Japan in 1994. It is successful in capturing the feel of an exhibit with its many sequences of archival photographs on a theme, which are enhanced by informative narrative. The CD-ROM is divided into the following major segments: 
     * American Ideals and Images
     * The Peopling of America
     * Entertaining Americans
     * Politics and Protest
     * The Western Frontiers
     * Conquering Time and Space
     * Americans at Home
     * Looking American
Many more specific topics are included in each of the major segments. At the end of each narrated sequence, the user can choose to view various archival items. These items include photographs of artifacts and film clips. Several very old clips produced by Thomas Edison Film Co. are shown! Smithsonian's America is fairly comprehensive. However, some omissions were noted in the Popular Music segments. For example, Elvis is excluded from the Rock'n'Roll sequence and Rap music, which is mentioned in a sequence on American fashion, is not mentioned in any of the music segments. Despite these two ommissions, the CD-ROM offers a wealth of information. The CD-ROM is strong in emphasizing the contributions of women and minorities and does not shy away from controversial events such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The American Profiles are excellent. Several segments contain a photograph and a brief biographical sketch of an American who exemplifies the theme of the segment. Among those Americans profiled are Cesar Chavez, Sojourner Truth, and Bessie Coleman, the first African-American to earn a pilot's license in the U.S.

The graphics on this CD-ROM are stunning. The archival photographs used in the narrated segments capture the emotion of the topic and grab the viewer's attention. The background music is appropriate and does not detract from the narrative. The major problem with the CD-ROM is with the archival song segments; this reviewer could not get them to play. [Top of Page]

Ease of Use

 The interface is easy and convenient. The tool bar and main menu can be accessed at any point. Students will have no problem using this CD-ROM. A tool bar, which can always be accessed, allows the user to go back, visit the artifact gallery, view a timeline of artifacts, view the film clips, get help, or quit the program. [Top of Page]

Recommended Audience

 This CD-ROM could be an excellent resource for research information. It also could be used for enrichment for several units in History, Social Studies, or Government. Smithsonian's America allows students to view rare photographs and artifacts and offers the opportunity to experience an exhibit, an experience which many students never gain.

Besides the sound problems, the fact that the text and graphics on this CD-ROM cannot be downloaded or printed, may make this less desirable to some for use as a research resource. Recommended with reservation (due to technical difficulties) for 6-12 grades. [Top of Page]

Installation Details and Technical Support

 Easy installation. Requirements: MPC for Windows, 486SX/25 or above, Windows 3.1 or later, 4MB of RAM, 5MB of available hard drive space, double-speed CD-ROM drive, 256 color Super VGA monitor, Sound Blaster or compatible sound card with Windows drivers.

Technical Support: we sent email to Creative Multimedia about our difficulties with the sound archives. After a while, their technical staff responded with several suggestions and offered to replace the disc if problems persisted. [Top of Page]

Reviewed by Jacquelyn Dimsdle, graduate student at UT Austin.
Comments to: jdimsdle@fiat.gslis.utexas.edu
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