Microsoft Unveils Encarta Reference Library 2002

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 25, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today launched Encarta® Reference Library 2002, the latest and most comprehensive resource from Encarta, the best-selling reference brand worldwide and the No. 1 reference brand in U.S. schools.*

Encarta Reference Library 2002 is students’ answer for success. Combining leading multimedia reference information with the best of the Internet, Encarta delivers a fun and easy-to-use reference resource for home or school. New to Encarta Reference Library 2002 is a redesigned start page that provides students with a
“one-stop”
search through all the content-rich resources of Encarta — Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002, Encarta Dictionary and Thesaurus, Encarta Interactive World Atlas, Encarta Africana, and Encarta Online Deluxe.

“One quick keyword will gather all the Encarta information on a topic,”
said Sally Katovsich, product manager for Encarta at Microsoft.
“For example, a search for ‘United Kingdom’ will collect detailed topographical maps of areas from London to the Scottish highlands and historical information on topics ranging from the orders of knighthood to the election of Tony Blair, then bring it all to one page. This new feature makes homework projects even easier for students who are juggling work and extracurricular activities, while trying to get ahead in school.”

Encarta offers a balance of authoritative content, engaging multimedia, innovative educational tools and integration with the Web. Several new features of Encarta Reference Library 2002 also make learning more fun and engaging:

  • Encarta Researcher helps students gather, organize and footnote information and multimedia from the many sections of Encarta and the Web, as well as create footnotes and a bibliography for students’ works.

  • Links to Live Streaming Media connect to live radio, MSNBC news and weather reports from the United States and major international locations.

  • Update Encarta delivers new information via the Internet and keeps Encarta content up to date through October 2002.

  • Dramatic 3-D Virtual Tours recreate some of history’s most significant architectural achievements, such as the Roman Forum and Coliseum.

  • Fact Finder, a handy pop-up feature, provides instant access to definitions, translations, business profiles, stock quotes and more, simply by mousing over a word.

  • Complete downloading to the hard drive eliminates the need to swap CDs and allows for faster, more integrated searches.

Through its integrated search feature, Encarta Reference Library 2002 draws information from these resources:

  • Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2002 offers a wealth of in-depth, reliable and up-to-date information, and features more articles, sidebars, videos and photos than ever. One search culls information from Encarta and the Internet, quickly delivering results on one organized page.

  • Encarta Dictionary and Thesaurus consists of a dictionary with additional writing resources.

  • Encarta Interactive World Atlas combines an interactive globe, 22 interactive maps and 1.8 million place listings to give insight into the people and resources that shape planet Earth.

  • Encarta Africana is an expansive encyclopedia focusing on the history, geography and culture of people of African descent worldwide.

Pricing and Teacher Materials

The Encarta Reference Library 2002 five-disc CD-ROM and single-disk DVD have an estimated retail price** of $74.95 (U.S.) before a $10 (U.S.) mail-in rebate. Encarta Reference Library 2002 runs on the Microsoft® Windows® 98, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Millennium Edition (Me) and Windows XP operating systems.

Volume discounts for all products may apply for schools, colleges and libraries. More information on academic pricing and licensing is available at the Microsoft Education Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/education/pricing/ . Educators can find more than 500 engaging lesson plans to use with Encarta Reference Library in the Encarta Lesson Collection at the Encarta Schoolhouse Web site, http://www.encarta.com/schoolhouse/ . More information on Encarta 2002 reference products is available at http://www.microsoft.com/encarta/ .

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

* No. 1 Encyclopedia Brand in U.S. Schools, as determined by Education Market Research’s January 2001 report,
“Best School Software: Most frequently used products by grade and subject.” ã Education Market Research.

** Actual retailer prices may vary.

Microsoft, Encarta and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Reviewers guides and additional press information are available at a password-protected area of the Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/encarta/ .

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