Microsoft's Encarta is the clear winner in that area. Its highly polished and speedy interface deftly integrates relevant and attractive videos, sound, and photos with the reference work's text. Encarta is also the easiest program to navigate, and searching for information and multimedia on specific topics can be done with minimum effort. It's a good thing Encarta 's multimedia and other enhancements are so strong. Though its writing has greatly improved, it can still be stilted and uninspired, especially for younger users.
Entries sometimes take a myopic view.
World Book gives a better review of his career, influence on music, and politics. Coming in second in overall rating will be World Book and Compton's with 4 stars. World Book 's interface and multimedia are less impressive than Encarta 's, but the writing style is typically clear and the organization of material congenial. Deals abound, and comparison shopping is worthwhile. It includes all the text of the 32-volume printed edition and sets the standard for depth of information.