Encarta Premium 2009 is a multimedia reference library that provides accurate, up-to-date information on a wide variety of educational subjects. Nonprofits focusing on educational enrichment can use the software as both a teaching aid and reference tool for students of virtually any academic level.
Encarta's reference content includes articles, a thesaurus, a dictionary, translation dictionaries, videos, animations, audio, photos, illustrations, an interactive atlas, maps, and tables.
Encarta Kids, included with Encarta Premium, provides younger learners, ages 7 to 12, with age-appropriate articles, maps, and photos, and challenges them with games and quizzes.
Microsoft continually updates and adds Encarta articles. Every time the computer connects to the Internet, Encarta will check for updates, ensuring that users are getting the latest information every time they use the software (through October 2009). Users can track new and updated articles according to subjects of interest.
Acquiring the License Key and Installation Media: Installing this product requires a licence key and installation media. Within 14 days of placing your order, instructions for obtaining the licence key will be sent to your organisation's registered e-mail address and free installation media will be delivered to your organisation's registered address.
- Under the Software Assurance programme, customers acquire the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of their coverage.
- Encarta contains over 62,000 articles, 25,000 photos and illustrations, 3000 sound and audio clips, and 800 videos and interactive activities. The interactive atlas includes over 1.8 million map locations.
- The Encarta search bar appears in the Windows task pane even when Encarta is closed, providing quick access to content from both Encarta and the Web.
- The Web Companion feature automatically pulls up information from Encarta alongside Internet search results, and links to over 29,000 Web sites have been preselected by Encarta editors for relevant and age-appropriate research material.
- Virtual 2D and 3D tours of historical events and places allow for immersive learning experiences.
Hardware:
- 600-MHz (or higher) Pentium processor; 1-GHz recommended
- 256 MB or more RAM
- 1.2 GB available hard-disk space; up to 4 MB additional space for each month's update installments; up to 1.8 GB additional space for the Copy to Hard Drive feature; 430 MB additional space for Encarta Kids; 210 – 620 MB additional space for .NET Framework 2.0
- 800x600-pixel or higher-display with 16-bit color; 1024x768 recommended
- 4 MB video memory
- 16-bit sound card with speakers or headphones
- DVD drive
Software:
- Windows XP with Service Pack 2
- Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (included)
- For playing sounds and videos — Windows Media Player 8
- For access to interactive media — Adobe Shockwave and Adobe Flash
Other:
- For online features and updates — Internet access at 28.8 Kbps or faster
- For Encarta Premium Online — a Windows Live ID account; members must be 13 years or older
