----------------------------Original message----------------------------
In response to my mention about Microsoft's Encarta 97 World Atlas,
there were a lot of folks who asked for information about the product.
At that time, about a month ago, a formal spec sheet had not been
written up. Finally I have the fact sheet "in hand" and I'm forwarding
it to the list for those who were interested in checking this out. (Let
me know if the information below is not legible due to formatting and
I'd be glad to snail-mail a copy to people who inquire).
Thanks for your interest!
Tom Edwards
Geographer
Microsoft Corp.
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Microsoft Encarta 97 World Atlas
Fact Sheet
WHAT: The Microsoft. Encarta. 97 World Atlas is an engaging and
comprehensive resource for adults and families and is part of the
Encarta family of products.
FORMAT: This CD-ROM runs exclusively on the Microsoft Windows. 95
operating system. The personal computer runs the multimedia software on
an internal or external CD-ROM drive.
PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION: Encarta 97 World Atlas is the most detailed world atlas
available anywhere, covering 1.2 million places in total. It provides
an engaging and unique view of the world for users and their families by
delivering the highest-quality maps and richest cultural information of
any world atlas in any medium. A board of 12 distinguished geographers
worked as advisers on Encarta 97 World Atlas to make it the most
realistic geographical reference. With its fast map-drawing technology
and improved user interface, Encarta 97 World Atlas is now more fun and
easier to use than ever before.
FEATURES: * Interactive navigation over a realistically detailed 3-D
model of the world
* Users get 360-degree Panoramic Views from around the globe. Enjoy the
view from 100,000 feet above North America, Europe, Asia, South America
and Africa.
* Encarta 97 World Atlas adds 14 new map styles that allow users to view
the world the way they want. See satellite views of the globe; explore
maps of weather conditions, such as average precipitation and average
temperature; or choose more traditional maps showing political
boundaries or time zones.
* Improved navigation lets users fly over the globe to explore
high-definition terrain maps that focus on countries and regions with
in-depth detail. Users can view these maps at any altitude, seeing the
globe in 3-D, as it really is - round, not flat.
* The new mapping engine gives the PC maps that rival the world's best
print atlases, with improvements in detail, accuracy, readability,
precision and labeling.
* Street-level maps for 50 of the largest cities in the world provide
an additional level of detail.
* Access to additional, current information over the internet.
* Users can find up-to-date information on cities, states, countries and
places around the world through an extensive directory of 7,000 Web
links which supplement Encarta World Atlas' extensive content..
* Encarta World Atlas provides integrated access to online statistics
from the United Nations and other sources to bring users the latest
information on the world. By visiting Encarta World Atlas Online, users
can access a continually updated and growing database of world
statistics, including birth and death rates, gross national product and
food consumption. The Encarta World Atlas online site is scheduled to be
live in October 1996 and will be located at
http://www.encarta.com/atlas/.
* Experience the world behind the map. With its interactive and
multimedia content, Encarta 97 World Atlas continues to let users
experience the world as never before:
* Three thousand brilliant color images and more than 4,000 sound and
music clips. Users can access more than 2 million words of text and
preview images showing them the sights and sounds of the world behind
the map.
Cultural articles give users a person-on-the-street view of life and
customs around the world by examining the lifestyles, history, economy
and government of virtually all of the world's countries. These
cultural articles include more than 2,800 foreign phrases. Family
Portraits introduce users to the customs and daily lives of 30 families
from different countries. Through in-depth photos, video clips and
sound essays, users can join families from around the world and share in
their everyday lives.
* Ability to personalize Encarta World Atlas. A Pushpins feature allows
users to add their own information, points of interest and annotations
to the maps.
* Fact-searching capabilities. With the easy search capabilities of
Encarta 97 World Atlas, users can find virtually any item that interests
them. Cities, places, countries, Panoramic Views, world music and more
are only a click away. Encarta 97 World Atlas eliminates the need to
look through pages of indexes or flip from page to page to find
different maps. And, because Encarta 97 World Atlas also includes
complete multimedia geographic encyclopedic content, users can refer to
maps and articles about places and cultures in a single reference.
* Educational multimedia glossary. 800 entries such as "continental
shelf", many of which include illustrations, help explain the geographic
terminology in the atlas articles to young novices.
SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS: To use Encarta 97 World Atlas, users need the following
components:
* Multimedia PC or compatible with a 486DX/33 or higher microprocessor
* Windows 95 or the Windows NT. Workstation operating system, version
4.0 or higher
* 8 MB of RAM (12 MB for Windows NT)
* 10 MB of available hard disk space
* Double-speed CD-ROM drive
* VGA display monitor with 256-color support and 640x480 resolution or
higher.
* Audio board
* Headphones or speakers
To use WebLinks
* A 9.6 baud modem or faster
* An internet service provider and access to the internet
AVAILABILITY: Microsoft Encarta 97 World Atlas for Windows 95 is
scheduled to be available in fall 1996 for approximately $54.95.
#########
Microsoft, Encarta, Windows and Windows NT are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or
other countries.
For more information, press only:
Wendy Slawter, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 245-0905, [log in to unmask]
Michelle Dollarhide, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 245-0905,
[log in to unmask]
Tom
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