Thanks to the multimedia PC and publishers such as Grolier Interactive , those days are over for most of us. Their latest offering, Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia 2001 Deluxe Edition has everything a student needs to write a comprehensive report or speech, including encyclopedia articles, pictures and maps, a memo pad and word processor, and with an internet connection, updates and access to countless online resources. We tested the PC version of Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia 2001 Deluxe Edition . Installation was easy, with automatic prompts. The program ran well, with no noticeable skips or lags.
Graphics run the gamut from simple to complex, all well-done.
Sound is excellent as well, and the voices easy to understand. Hearing-impaired users will have no problem using this title. Although some of the features have extra verbal information, the basics are always printed out on the screen. I spent some time exploring the encyclopedia as well, and found it very easy to browse and search. And while it seems impossible to need any more information than is already presented on the CDs, there is an additional wealth of information available on the internet through links to Encyclopedia Americana , the New Book of Knowledge , and Grolier Internet Index .