Amazon.com Review

Bring the ancient world into your home with this colossal five CD-ROM set of games and facts about dinosaurs. Whether you want to dig for fossils, watch Tyrannosaurus rex through 3-D glasses, or simply browse through a virtual depiction of a Smithsonian dinosaur exhibit, this package can meet your needs.

A World of Dinosaurs is a combination of two game CD-ROMs and three reference titles. The activities and games packed in 3-D Dinosaur are designed to liven up the process of learning about the dinosaur age. Players can create their own animated, three-dimensional dinosaurs, for example, or use a feature called Art-O-Saurus to draw an entire living scene appropriate to the Jurassic, Triassic, or Cretaceous periods. I Can Be A Dinosaur Finder is a top-notch game where players dig up and assemble fossils. Though the process of unearthing dinosaur bones is necessarily simplified in this game, it does convey a real sense of the gritty and less glamorous aspects of studying dinosaurs.

The reference discs--Dinosaur Museum, Prehistoric Animals, and Multimedia Dinosaurs--combine extensive content with educational activities, such as quizzes and puzzles. Loaded with drawings, photographs, animations, and facts, they are an excellent resource on all aspects of evolution and prehistory.

Even with the inevitable data overlap between the CD-ROMs, the volume of information in this set is massive. The package is a reissue of older material, and the look of the interface reflects this mid-nineties sensibility, with animated graphics taking precedence over live-action movie files, and a certain clunkiness in the way information is accessed. This age factor is, however, a plus for users with older PC computers or Macs, because everything in A World of Dinosaurs runs happily on these machines. --Alyx Dellamonica ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Science Academy Deluxe is a comprehensive middle-school science pack. Every one of these 10 subjects is an essential part of any middle-school science curriculum. You'll find extensive photographs, 3-D models, text, video, and color animation sequences on anatomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, the history of science, life science, physical science, scientific thinking, space science, and technology. Links to resources at various Web sites add to the knowledge-building experience. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Can't make it work with XP
It runs fine on Windows 9x, but I just can't make it work on XP. I can't fault the product or MS for this. It won't install properly even using the Compatibility mode options in XP.

excellent resource
If you don't have the individual parts of this, the compilation is excellent, covers all the basics and more, with links to other scientific resources. A great gift that will be used again and again by middle school students.

Repackaged Material
I am usually a fan of DK material, and was quite happy to see this product. It looked both interesting and useful for my children. However, having opened the box, and unwrapped the CDs, what do I find? (1) Encyclopedia of Science 2.0 (already got it) (2) Encyclopedia of Nature 2.0 (already got it) (3) The Way Things Work 2.0 (already got it) (4) The Ultimate Human Body 2.1 (already got it) (5) Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe (wow, at least there is one that I hadn't already got!) (6) Earth Quest (ok, so there are two I hadn't already got). And where was the indication of this on the package? No where.

So now I'm stuck with a bunch of duplicates to try to return! (Hmm, maybe I can sell my old copies of the ones I've already got instead?)

Come on DK. You can do better than that! I understand the repackaging gig, but at least let people know that is what it is!

(BTW: if you haven't got any of these CDs, then I would rate it 5 stars. They really are a good collection, at a reasonable price. The problem is that I already have them!)

Money for value pack!
Good choice and a lot to learn for kids! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fun For All Ages
Our whole family found this software very entertaining. It was purchased for my daughter who is only three years old. We have been teaching her the organs/bones and function of the parts of the body and this CD is a wonderfully fun and amusing way to learn about the body. It can be enjoyed by all ages, if the child is too young to manipulate the software alone simply work with your child and it is an activity you can share. Mr. Skinless leads us through a wonderfuly animated journey of assembling the body, while at the same time answering questions in the form of a quiz show narrated by Mr. Skinless, he is most amusing. If extra help is needed there is great notes and graphics to teach about the body. We have approximately 20+ CD's for children and I would rate the graphics in on this CD by far the best. There is a fabulous activity for children to spend the day giving Mr.Skinless activities to do while at the same time monitoring his hunger, thirst and energy level. The objective is to supply him with the appropriate level of food, beverage and rest to sustain him for the day. The graphics while he performs the various activities, are most entertaining. Lastly there is a beat the bomb feature where you get a timed activity to build the human body, all the organs and the bones before the bomb goes off. As I said a little knowledge provided to the child and this can be enjoyed by all children ... Read more

Features

• Fun games that educate - From eye-popping puzzles to memory match-ups -- even a photo safari
• Collect sticker prizes as you learn more about 120 different animals from every corner of the world

Amazon.com Review

Do you know a child who's just the right age to be crazy aboutdinosaurs? If you do, Dinosaurs 3D from Mega Systems is an informative,well-designed CD-ROM package that is bound to be a hit.

This CD takes just minutes to load, and using it is as simple as pressing start once installation is complete. The program does not come with operatingdirections because there is no need for them. The functions are very clearlydesigned and intuitive. Once you've started the program, there is anintroduction to dinosaurs that previews some of the 3-D imagery to be foundinside. The segment is well done and informative, but unfortunately, there is nooption to skip it when you open the program for the second or third time.

Although the CD focuses on dinosaurs, it really encompasses the entire naturalhistory of Earth. The five main headings that you can click on are Overview,Primeval Times, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Each subheading within thesecategories includes texts, illustrations, and animations. Content is notsacrificed for the sake of graphics in this package--the text compares favorablywith a good children's encyclopedia or an Eyewitness book.

The 3-D dinosaurs are actually the least sophisticated part of the program; manyof the moving graphics are poorly defined and clumsy next to game-quality 3-Dgraphics. The still images are very good, however, and the graphics do notdetract significantly from the overall worthiness of this program. Children ages8 and older will find the content challenging, while younger kids will enjoy thepictures. --Matt Kohut ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Starry Night Pro 4.x is a CD-ROM package designed for use at home by budding astronomers and devoted amateurs. It is a wonderful tool for fun and learning, and is for use by those who are already furnished with reasonable astronomical knowledge. The package includes all the latest developments in stellar knowledge and comes with a companion book for further reading.

As well as some excellent video footage of astronomical phenomena, there are fascinating interviews with scientists from prestigious institutions, such as NASA, which provide the latest understanding of new developments--meteorites, new comets, orbital dynamics. The package also comes with the usual feature of directing the program to what you can see from your own home.

A step forward from the other packages in the Starry Night series, this package includes a wider scope--you can view star fields up to a distance of a staggering 700 million light-years--and also the coordinates and data ascribed to more than 16 million stars. Add to this the usual excellent quality of the graphics and the visual effects, and those who have used the less advanced packages in this series need not hesitate to rush out to buy this one--but then, having used those excellent programs, they will probably be rushing out to buy it anyway. --Toby Green ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fantastic Value
Starry Night Pro (SNP)is an incredible software package. I had used used TheSky version IV for a few years (which was 2 1/2 times the cost), and SNP is MUCH easier to use, and offers features that TheSky simply does not have.

It does help to have a pretty good background in Astronomy though, so I could see where someone with virtually NO knowledge on the subject would have a difficult time knowing where to start. Since they do offer more basic versions of Starry Night, I'd imagine that they might be more appropriate for a true beginner.

Some of the highlights: Each time you run the program, you have the option of having the database updated via the Internet, so that all of your satellite, comet and asteroid information is current. This function is very easy... you don't have to go looking for it... it'll ask you at start up.

You can "center" on any object, and zoom in (up to) a high-powered telescopic view. With the object centered in the field, the object will remain frozen in the center of your screen as time elapses, rather than moving across the screen. You can then set the time-step to anywhere from "normal" to 30,000x normal. One of the coolest things to do, is to center Saturn, zoom in until it fills about a quarter of the screen, and then speed the time up... You'll watch in amazement as the planet and it's splendid ring system rotate before you, and the moons dance around the planet.

You can change your viewing location to anywhere on Earth... or for that matter, anywhere in the Solar System --and beyond. Try looking back at the Earth during a Solar eclipse! You'll see the Moon's shadow skirting across the surface. Or, if you set your viewing location on the Moon during a lunar eclipse, you'll see a Solar eclipse FROM the moon. Again, pretty neat.

You can zoom completely out of the galaxy, and look back at the Milky Way so it is no longer a band across the sky, but rather a pinwheel of stars (depending, of course, on which direction you are looking from.) You can also zoom out to the edge of the known universe until all of the galaxies are a faint blob in the middle of the screen.... Zooming IN quickly from this point is also a cool effect.

If all of what SNP did was for "effect" only (in other words, it didn't actually reflect the REAL sky, it'd be worth the money.) But of course, it DOES reflect what you CAN see. What you WILL see. And what you DID see. (Up to several thousand years in the past, and about ten thousand years into the future... just for planning purposes!)

Starry Night Pro is worth every dollar... and more!

Wow!
I'm not going to write a review of Starry Night Pro. I'm too stunned. This is wonderful software. I've only had it for a day but I'm awestruck. When I brought up the software and saw what looked like a satellite (it was a satellite) I knew I was hooked. I don't know a lot about astronomy and I thought this would help me learn. I wanted something that showed me the night sky as I see it. This is beyond my dreams.

This software is GREAT!
This is the best software I have ever bought. It is very easy to use and very versatile. It has an extensive catalogue of items, many of which have photos. It also has upgrade capability. I recommend it to anyone interested in astronomy at any level of skill/knowledge.

Never a cloud in the sky!
I have owned many planetarium type star simulation programs, and Starry Night Pro 4.x is the absolute best. This is a fascinating tool for both the beginner and expert amateur astronomer. Starry Night is easy to navigate with exciting tours and information about what is happening in the night's sky. The graphics are pleasant and very professionally created.

I have found that many other programs offer little or no online support and updates. I became very frustrated searching for the latest information on current events or newly discovered objects. When Starry Night is launched, it automatically checks for the latest/updated files on the Internet. As an author for a popular amateur astronomy web site, finding certain information quickly is very important to me. I really recommend this product for all amateur astronomers.

A beautiful application
The installation CD has also on it a Mac version that only runs on OS 10 (see the System Requirements). This is a full featured program, installs easily and looks great. Lots of features that will take a while to explore. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Set off on an adventure with the Smart Kids. The third episode of the Smart Kids series--Smart Kids: Discover the World--takes children on 50 journeys around the world. Filled with 50 experiments, fun games, and interactive activities featuring the Smart Kids, your child will learn about ecology, how the earth works, and also how its inhabitants live. Every journey is full of surprises, encouraging kids to become independent thinkers like the Smart Kids.

Kids adventure with Pedrotito the Mexican, Nounakchu the Eskimo, Lulu the Highlander, Pierrick the Country Farmer, and Pipentarte the Sailor in a range of environments. Take a ride in a hot air balloon and explore the skies. Explore the desert, forest, mountains, volcanoes, and even space. Ride aboard a submarine to investigate the ocean. Subjects covered include the seasons, climates, plant and animal life, the water cycle, and more. Kids get answers to questions like: Can rain make the ocean overflow? Why is it cold in some countries and hot in others? What is pollution? Does everyone live the same way? And much more. ... Read more

Album Description

You've never seen Earth's nearest neighbor in such incredible detail! Get up close and personal with the Moon, zooming in to view her myriad of craters, towering mountains, vast dry lunar "seas" and other remarkable features. With the fully interactive Full Moon Atlas, you'll be able to identify even the most minute features by simply passing your cursor over the object, which instantly triggers an identifying flag. In addition, the CD-ROM includes a complete Crater Catalog, Lunar Exploration Timeline, Lunar Phase Calendar, biographies of the first astronauts to set foot on the Moon, plus other tools and utilities to increase your knowledge and understanding of Luna! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Is that a grebe or a loon? After exploring the Birds of the World CD-ROM set from CounterTop Software, you should be able to name them with confidence, as well as their habitats, lifestyles, and (if your friends are patient) even mimic their calls.

Users receive the North American Bird Reference Book, Webster's Birds of the World [sic], the Encyclopedia of Australian Birds, and a Hummingbirds screen saver. Quality varies--the North American Bird software has a bare-bones interface with decent images and information, while the other two references have nicer plumage and more features. None of the sources will replace textbooks, but they do contain diet, range, appearance, song, and mating information good enough for use as a basic reference or educational tool for the novice. The Webster's disk has additional material on birds as a class, explaining the fundamental differences between them and other animals and providing a quiz to check your knowledge. The Hummingbirds screen saver is neat, but ultimately a little out of place with the reference materials; still, fans of the little guys will love it to death.

Though it might not be the best possible package, Birds of the World is inexpensive and informative, and for most of us, that's good enough. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

World Discovery Deluxe is an interactive global geography and history program that tests your knowledge of geographical, political, and historical people, places, and events. This fun and educational program contains more than seventy-five maps from around the globe. Each colorful map can show countries, states, cities, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, and much more! Explore these maps with 12 interactive and challenging games and activities. You can also find national anthems and state and national flags. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

GREATEST GEOGRAPHY TOOL EVER!!
WOW!! I can't believe this product has been discontinued. It is the greatest, most fun way to learn U.S. and world geography I've found. I'm trying to find a second CD Rom because the thought of not having one if ours gets ruined, practically gives me hives! My first child learned her states, capitals, countries, and flags by playing against me or the clock when she was in 4th grade. My second daughter is in 4th grade now and we're still using this tool. She has 90% of the world's countries and regions memorized and can beat anyone she challenges. We don't even look at this as school (we homeschool), but more as a game. The whole family plays. We've recommended it to friends and teachers and everyone loves it. Please, please, bring it back.

Great learning tool for Middle/High School Geography
My older son used this software to learn maps of the world for tests in middle school World Geography. I started looking for it again when by younger son started the same class 4 years later, we wanted an updated version. I am stupified that this product isn't on every educational software site because it is SO WONDERFUL.

My older son is ADD and trying to get him to study hard copy maps for hours on end, learning countries, capitals, rivers, mountains etc. was more than a chore - it was painful. This product was recommended by his teacher. It turned this into a game, but one without extraneous activities. Carmen San Diego may be fun, but it is too easy to get off task. World Discovery Deluxe is like a map version of concentration in a computer game. My son actually reached the point where he could mouse click on every country in Africa with 100% accuracy, without any country borders drawn on the continent. This software challenged him to beat his own time records.

I understand that the use is very specific, more general textbook information is not included in our 1996 version, i.e. commerce, political structure ... But you will not find a better tool to teach a child in middle school or high school map information. ... Read more