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REDMOND, Wash. -- June 26, 2003 -- In the spirit of continued commitment to the quest for knowledge, Microsoft Corp. today unveils Encarta® Reference Library 2004. With exciting new alliances, compelling features and enhanced tools, the newest version of Encarta provides consumers with comprehensive, up-to-date and trustworthy educational content.

"With each new version of Encarta, we aim to provide more engaging ways for kids and parents to spend less time searching and more time learning," said Karla Tharin, product manager for the Microsoft® Encarta product line. "Encarta Reference Library 2004 brings learning to life, helping students dive into a whole new world of educational discovery."

Microsoft publicly unveils the latest version of its award-winning education software line today to a gathering of 150 New York City-area educators. As a testament to its continued commitment to helping youth realize their potential, Microsoft will donate 30 copies of Encarta Reference Library 2004 to each teacher in attendance -- enough to outfit at least one classroom per teacher with the software.

Encarta Reference Library 2004, available in DVD and CD versions, includes the following new and updated features:

• New! Discovery Channel video content. Discovery Channel provides Encarta Reference Library 2004 users with up to 109 minutes of high-quality, educational video vignettes about subjects such as "Life on Mars," "Sharks," "Fungus Farmers" and "Glaciers."
• New! Visual Browser. Encarta Reference Library 2004 debuts the Visual Browser, an innovative tool that helps kids and parents explore the vast amount of Encarta information. Drawing relationships among articles, audio and video clips, interactive presentations, and more, the Visual Browser rotates content icons in carousel fashion around the screen. A click here and another there takes users to uncharted worlds of connected content.
• Updated! Homework Center. The Homework Center returns for a second year with smart enhancements to guide students through research and creative projects from start to finish. Features include expanded Literature Guides to help students better understand classic and contemporary literary works; Homework Starters for guidance on how to approach a paper or report; Chart Maker for easy transformation of data into colorful charts and graphs; and Curriculum Guides for finding grade-appropriate subject content -- ideal for home-schooling or finding assignments catered to student aptitude level.
• Ever-changing! Update Encarta. Update Encarta provides users with current information to help ensure their work is timely and accurate. With the click of a mouse, consumers can download and seamlessly integrate up-to-date articles, statistics, news, Web links and other information directly into content articles. Informing users as the world changes, Update Encarta offers fresh content at least once a week.

Encarta Reference Library 2004 also features Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2004, Encarta World English Dictionary, Thesaurus and Translation Dictionaries; award-winning Encarta Africana; more than 68,000 editor-reviewed articles; multimedia content including live access to radio, news and weather reports; virtual maps, tours and timelines; charts and graphs; current statistics; games; and much more. Helping consumers discover the world through interactive learning, Encarta Reference Library is the best-selling software reference suite today.*

To meet the unique needs of any family, Microsoft offers Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe, which provides a wealth of up-to-date information for work, home or school, as well as Encarta Encyclopedia Standard, an everyday reference guide offering current information for the whole family.

Availability

The Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2004 DVD Plus and CD will be available throughout the United States by June 30, 2003, for an estimated retail price of $69.95 (U.S.). Microsoft offers a $20 mail-in rebate.

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Source: MSPressPass