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Hello,
With the tough economy, I am beginning to think that Microsoft may have
decided to ditch some of their less profitable products (i.e. Encarta). Not
that I blame them, mind you.
I suspect this for the following reasons:
1. Student w/Encarta & Encarta standalone have ceased to be on retail shelves.
2. The 2008 version is mentioned on the Encarta area of Microsoft's website,
but not the 2009 edition. The 2009 edition is listed in some "Learning"
section and is available only as a download.
3. Recently, the update function has been very unreliable to say the least.
4. No more Encarta Premium.
5. Free online encyclopedias are widely available.
I wrote to the Encarta Team (encwish@microsoft.com) and asked them point
blank about the future of Encarta, but haven't heard back.
I have really enjoyed having the wealth of knowledge Encarta has brought us.
For those times when I'm not able to get online, it has been an invaluable
resource. I also absolutely love the dynamic World Atlas, which puts the
Britannica offering to shame.
I understand that Microsoft needs to focus on their most important products,
such as Windows and Office, but I would really miss having a yearly version
of Encarta. Yes, the internet is a wonderful source of information and maybe
Encarta has become somewhat obsolete. But I, for one, really hopes it sticks
around.
Britannica 2009 is also a fine product and I will make the switch if need be
since it is the only other viable option for encyclopedia software. I just
find Encarta more pleasurable to use. |
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good work.
"Dan Herdegen" wrote:
> Hello,
>
> With the tough economy, I am beginning to think that Microsoft may have
> decided to ditch some of their less profitable products (i.e. Encarta). Not
> that I blame them, mind you.
>
> I suspect this for the following reasons:
>
> 1. Student w/Encarta & Encarta standalone have ceased to be on retail shelves.
> 2. The 2008 version is mentioned on the Encarta area of Microsoft's website,
> but not the 2009 edition. The 2009 edition is listed in some "Learning"
> section and is available only as a download.
> 3. Recently, the update function has been very unreliable to say the least.
> 4. No more Encarta Premium.
> 5. Free online encyclopedias are widely available.
>
> I wrote to the Encarta Team (encwish@microsoft.com) and asked them point
> blank about the future of Encarta, but haven't heard back.
>
> I have really enjoyed having the wealth of knowledge Encarta has brought us.
> For those times when I'm not able to get online, it has been an invaluable
> resource. I also absolutely love the dynamic World Atlas, which puts the
> Britannica offering to shame.
>
> I understand that Microsoft needs to focus on their most important products,
> such as Windows and Office, but I would really miss having a yearly version
> of Encarta. Yes, the internet is a wonderful source of information and maybe
> Encarta has become somewhat obsolete. But I, for one, really hopes it sticks
> around.
>
> Britannica 2009 is also a fine product and I will make the switch if need be
> since it is the only other viable option for encyclopedia software. I just
> find Encarta more pleasurable to use. |
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