Encarta facts for kids
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Virtual encyclopedia |
| License | Proprietary |
Encarta was a special kind of digital encyclopedia created by Microsoft. Think of it like a giant, interactive book of knowledge, but on your computer! It was packed with information, much like a traditional encyclopedia, but it also included cool things like videos, sounds, and interactive maps.
Microsoft released a more complete version called Encarta Premium in 2008. This version was even bigger and better.
Contents
What Was Microsoft Encarta?
Microsoft Encarta was a multimedia encyclopedia. This means it didn't just have text; it also included many different types of media. It was a popular way for students and families to learn and do homework before the internet became widely available everywhere.
What Did Encarta Offer?
Encarta had a huge amount of content to explore. It featured over 62,000 articles on almost every topic you could imagine. But it wasn't just text! Encarta also included:
- Many photographs and illustrations to help you visualize topics.
- Short music clips and videos that brought subjects to life.
- Detailed maps and timelines to help you understand history and geography.
- Fun activity games that made learning more engaging.
- A full atlas for exploring the world.
- Special tools designed to help with homework and research.
How Could You Use Encarta?
You could get Encarta in a few different ways. Some people bought it on DVD-ROM or CD-ROMs to install on their computers. This meant you could use it even without an internet connection.
Later, Encarta was also available on the internet. You could pay a yearly fee to access all its features online. There was also a free online version that showed advertisements. This free version allowed people to read many articles online without paying.
Encarta Around the World
Microsoft also created similar encyclopedias under the Encarta trademark for different countries. These versions were available in several European languages, like French, German, and Spanish, and also in Japanese. This made Encarta a global learning tool for many years.
Images for kids
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Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2007 running on Windows XP.
See also
In Spanish: Microsoft Encarta para niños
