Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1653 in Software
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2005-08-05
• Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Microsoft Encarta 2006 is the #1 best-selling encyclopedia brand. Microsoft Encarta Premium 2006 helps families and lifelong learners explore a world of knowledge that's accurate and engaging. Encarta Premium offers more engaging multimedia and more carefully reviewed, age-appropriate information than ever before - with over 68, 000 articles, over 25, 000 photos and illustrations, over 300 videos and animations, over 2, 500 sound and music clips, and an interactive atlas with over 1.8 million map locations. Encarta Premium also gives you the all-new Web Companion, which automatically pulls up information from Encarta alongside your Internet search results. Whether you're searching online or offline, Encarta Premium is the trusted way for everyone in the family to easily find just about anything on just about any subject.

Customer Reviews

Pretty much all they need
Not quite as easy to use or as visually attractive as the 2002 version, 2006 Encarta is packed with pretty much all a child could want to aid and support their school work right up to AS level. Great internet links take much of the frustration out of interent based research - you know that what you'll find is accurate and has provenance. A fine product at an outstanding price.

Poor - you can find lot lot lot more on the internet
I got this for my daughter, my wife and myself. I was surprised it only took some 2Gb and a bit for the full installation. I was expecting that comprehensive encyclopedia will have to take lot more space. And I was right. I compared some 10 or so random articles and found that wikipedia had more then double the information on each of my tests. I guess if you haven't got broadband it could come handy. Also if you want to avoid your children searching the internet and finding all sorts of things, it proves suitable too. Otherwise it is a waste of money.

Excellent reputable source-unlike many internet sources!
Encarta is a reliable, accurate source of information for students, school kids and curious adults alike.
It is a wonderful tool for doing background research: for instance, I used it for my class in Middle Eastern History. Much of the reading is pretty heaving going in that subject so having Encarta helped to fill in `knowledge gaps'. What is more, the entries are pithy, yet comprehensive. I cannot say enough good things about Encarta as it has made my life so much easier-all that research for exams that would normally take hours-takes up half as much time. It's clear, concise and comprehensive. What more could you ask for?

And unlike internet sources, such a Wikkipedia, the entries are often contributed by top researchers in their field. My university bans the use of Wikkipedia [you certainly aren't allowed to put it in your essay references]. Many of the articles are biased and inaccurate and of poor quality. Think about it: the author could be anyone, even a chimp!

Educators and academics approve of Encarta-so I would say that it's an excellent choice for you and your kids.