#History disks?
4 messages in this thread
There are several US History disks but i dont think anything that would
qualify as a historical encyclopedia has yet been produced. One disk "US
History on CDROM", is a compilation of about 107 books on various parts of
US history. I dont think it adds any (or much) new commentary.
Jerry Isdale
Jerry,
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One disk "US History on CDROM", is a compilation of about 107 books
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I knew about that disk and I have never understood the logic behind it. It
seems to me that someone who is going to lay out money for a CD-ROM
disk–and these beasts are not cheap–would want something more systematic
in its coverage. At least I would. With 107 different books, there are
too many possibilities for both omissions and repetitions. Better one
book, comprehensive and well-organized.
Thanks,
–Frank Kofsky
I haven't seen or used The US History on CDROM disk. If it has full text
inversion and lots of cross-referencing between the 107 books, it might be
helpful. Too often people do this type of 'shovel-ware', simply shoveling
data onto a disk, without really adding any useful functions. Being able to
automatically cross reference between books is at least one step. But that
would only make it useful as a reference tool. Having someone editorially
create a series of readings (a logical thread) across the books would be
another step. That would add some educational value.
Personally, I think a disk that had unique commentary + threaded readings
+ full inversion would be even better. The commentary would take a topic
and expound on it using the threads as interactive references (including
images, sound clips, etc). Thats a basic multi/hyper-media treatment, which
i think a cdrom product should start with. The time for shovel-ware is
behind us. It only serves to give the impression of cd titles being useful.
Jerry
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Too often people do this type of 'shovel-ware', simply shoveling data onto
a disk, without really adding any useful functions. . . . The time for
shovel-ware is behind us. It only serves to give the impression of cd
titles being useful.
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I couldn't agree more.
–Frank