The Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2001 edition is a "lite" version of the more fully comprehensive Microsoft Encarta Deluxe 2001 and Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite 2001 titles. As such, it contains a base of approximately 37,500 articles, nearly 16 million words, more than 12,000 photos and illustrations, a hundred or so videos and animations, in excess of 17,000 relevant web links and 2,000 sound clips and pronunciations.

This single CD version, in comparison to its more complete companions (three and seven CDs respectively), has a plethora of information indexed and ready for exploration at the touch of a few keystrokes. Each article contains a contents page that allows you to see all the resources pertaining to the specific subject matter on one page and the product utilizes a "pinpointer" to aid in quick searches.

A bonus for Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2001 owners is the ability to retrieve online, monthly Internet updates, free of charge (other than connectivity charges of your local service) at the www.microsoft.com/encarta/ website through December 2001.

Using 21st century technology, Microsoft incorporates videos, animations and audio clips as adjuncts to the basic articles and lists additional sites for source material. Through a series of "InterActivities," you can enhance the learning experience by participating in interactive exercises designed to more fully explore a topic compared to knowledge gained simply by reading.

The interface in Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2001 is mouse-driven in conjunction with on-screen icons and menus. Full printing options are supported and the program includes installation routines requiring between 70 and 700 megabytes of hard drive space.

Differences between the more comprehensive Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite 2000 edition and this basic version are the exclusion of modules such as the Encarta World English Dictionary 2001, Encarta Thesaurus & Book of Quotations, Encarta Almanac 2001, Encarta Africana Third Edition and Microsoft Press Computer & Internet Dictionary among others.

Get connected with our world through the many features and options presented by the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2001 edition -- on your own computer or through connectivity with the Internet! ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide