July 2000 Volume 81 Number 7 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Despite easy access to information, authoritative references are vital. Information is the key to success; and anyone searching for a quality multimedia encyclopaedia will already know of the success and educational value of the Encarta range.

The Police Journal has one copy of the latest product in the Encarta range to give away - Encarta Reference Suite 2000. Available on six CDs or one DVD, the latest reference suite includes: the Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2000, Encarta Interactive World Atlas, Encarta World English Dictionary and free Encarta Online (for those with Internet access). It will prove to be a valued addition to anyone’s reference library.

The Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2000 includes:

• Dynamic Timelines to learn about key events throughout world history with a visual timeline that lets one compare and contrast major historical events.

• Archives to learn world events and turning points in history through fascinating first-hand accounts.

• A Curriculum Guide. Select a grade level and subject to view a list of relevant resources for local regions, including Australian school lesson plans.

Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000 includes:

• More detail than before with over 1.7 million place names.

• Extra map styles and more than 20 different dynamic map styles, including a multimedia map in which images, videos and fascinating facts spring to life when selected.

• Map Treks are another great new feature that brings maps to life by explaining geographic phenomena such as how ocean currents create desert coasts or how glaciers shaped the landscape.

A new addition to the Reference Suite, the Encarta World English Dictionary is the first newly written English dictionary in 20 years and recognizes global usage of the English language.

Also included are a thesaurus, quotations and English-French dictionaries. Upon installation, word definitions are also available in Word - simply right-click and there it is. Generally, this feature will require the Dictionary CD to be in the CD drive, but for those with disk space, copying the books folders to a hard drive will be much more practical. About 500MB of space is required.

As in previous editions of the Encarta Reference Suite, a Research Organizer is also included, so the 2000 suite of programs can be relied upon to deliver the education essentials for your family.

Those looking to upgrade their multimedia encyclopaedia will find the 2000 version contains a number of additional features as well as extra information. A natural language search provides information based on naturally-phrased questions. It’s probably not the best available, but a worthwhile inclusion.

RRP for the Reference Suite 2000 is $199 (on CD or DVD). To obtain each component separately one can expect to pay $89.95 for the Interactive Atlas, $69.95 for the World English Dictionary and $149 for the Encyclopedia Deluxe.

Any Pentium or similar multimedia PC will run the Encarta range of products. About 170MB disk space and 24MB RAM is required. Visit www.microsoft.com/encarta/eng for more information.

For the opportunity to win a copy of Encarta 2000 Reference Suite send an entry to: Encarta Comp, SA Police Journal (168).

NEW GAMES

Look out for Ground Control. A real-time strategy game, it matches classic strategy elements with stunning 3D graphics of a level usually reserved for action games. It really is impressive.

Played out through a number of missions, players must take control of their customizable squads of soldiers, tanks, hovercraft, aircraft, and other units, as they fight for control of a distant new world.

Septerra Core presents a fantasy-adventure game played in refreshingly different 3D environments.

Be prepared to enter a world where the laws of nature work in strange new ways, allowing continents to orbit at different elevations around the planet. Concentric world shells each create unique ecosystems and societies which must be traversed in one’s quest to protect the planets core from The Chosen. Septerra Core is rated M (15+) and will run on a Pentium 200 or better; 3D acceleration is not essential.

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The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 1999  The Police Association of South Australia sustance