The typical book review includes a summation of the argument, and then offers either an analysis or a reply. But very few book reviews complain about the font used or how the index is organized. There is seldom a complaint about how thick the paper is or whether page headers and footers are distracting. But not so with CD-ROMs. The organization of the CD-ROM creates a wide range of challenges that are not part of the printed page.
People know how to use books, and so any concern for the usability of the book is forgotten.
How we can navigate through a digital interface, on the other hand, is a central concern for CD-ROMs. There is a technical aspect to reviewing CD-ROMs, which means that they ought to be written as much for the computer user as for the text reader. And, of course, it requires a CD-ROM reader with a speed of 4x or greater. However, while this information is important, it can also distract from other aspects of the review. The character of the interface is an important concern.