Describes how to assemble a functional, cost-effective multimedia production workstation in the Microsoft Windows environment. Recommendations for the selection of various components of the workstation are given, including computer requirements, sound card, video capture card, and authoring system. (LRW)

Provides extensive reviews of two CD-ROM titles related to Native Americans: (1) Microsoft's "500 Nations: Stories of the North American Indian Experience" and (2) "The American Indian: A Multimedia Encyclopedia: by Facts on File." Evaluation criteria include content; authority; search engine; audience appropriateness; price;…

Reviews and compares the following nine laptop computers, focusing on their capabilities for multimedia presentations: Apple Macintosh PowerBook G3, Chem USA ChemBook 9780, Compaq Armada 7792DMT, Dell Inspiron 3000 mZ66xT, Hewlett-Packard OmniBook 3000CTX, IBM ThinkPad 770, Micro Express NP8233MMX, NEC Versa 6260, and Panasonic CF-63. Evaluation…

Discusses software that is used for preparing bibliographies according to particular styles. Other uses of citation databases originally created to produce bibliographies are described, guidelines to help choose a program are offered, and appendices list programs and producers as well as indicating features of the various programs. (LRW)

Reviews educational software for children ranging in age from 3 to 12. Contains descriptions, recommended age levels, and contact information for 16 software packages selected based on entertainment and educational value. Topics include spelling and alphabet, science, math, geography, and reading. (JW)

Review of upgrades to IBM and Macintosh software includes personal experiences with DOS 5.0, PC Tools Version 7, and Microsoft Word 5.5. Reasons for and problems with upgrades are then discussed, including alternatives to upgrading and problems with skipping upgrades. Guidelines for deciding whether to upgrade and notes from the literature for…

Intended to aid teachers, administrators, and interested parents by informing them about the state of the educational microcomputer market, this report is meant to be a guide to school districts in the acquisition and maintenance of microcomputers and related instructional materials. Trends in educational computing technology are noted in relation…

Reviews five CD-ROM products: (1) "Our Earth," part of the National Geographic Wonders of Learning series; (2) "New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia"; (3) "The Lost Tribe," a simulation game where players lead a prehistoric people to a new homeland; (4) "PilgrimQuest," a simulation game recreating the settlement of Massachusetts in the 1620s; and…

Discusses questions to consider and features to look for in selecting a CD-ROM encyclopedia. Reviews Encyclopaedia Britannica CD 98 Multimedia Edition, Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1998, Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, and Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia 1998. Contact information, price, and system requirements are listed. (JAK)

Discusses a variety of software programs which will assist middle school through college teachers in teaching text structure to their students. Notes that these programs represent a departure from traditional programing style--they allow the person who uses information technology to combine the roles of producer and consumer. (RS)

Updated information for computer purchases appropriate for use in a childcare center classroom is offered. Includes a list of minimum hardware requirements for Windows-based computers as well as Macintosh, and low-budget alternative solutions. New software titles for preschool children and K-5 school-age children are reviewed. (AA)

These three articles discuss communications software that is designed for use in online searching on a personal computer. Highlights include criteria for choosing software; a review of general purpose communications software packages and their suitability for online searching; software for end users; future possibilities; and five experts' top…

As educational institutions prepare to meet the challenges of the new millennium, it becomes more apparent that computer-competent students should be graduated to meet the needs of the advances in technology in the workplace. One technology that is readily available is presentation software, which allows the student to generate slides, overheads,…

Librarians everywhere are struggling with the difficult issue of whether Internet content can or should be limited in library settings. This book discusses Internet content filters as tools with performance issues. The book does not debate whether Internet filters are good or bad. Rather, it presents basic factual information about filtering…

Provides a list, organized by company, of access software appropriate for special education users, and general software such as productivity tools and educational and recreational software. Sidebars include: software accessibility features to consider; the Alliance for Technology and Access; and contacts for publishers and special education…