Student Resource Advantage 2001

The Command Center in Student Resource Advantage 2001 lets users get to each of eight bundled tools. Generally speaking, this package includes slightly older versions of well-known online tools, like Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, Mindscapes World Atlas and Almanac 6.0, and Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1999. (The typing tutorial is Mavis Beacon 8.0.) There's even a section on tips for managing your time more effectively. These reference tools are still quite effective--and the bundled price is a bargain, instead of having to buy each piece of software separately. It does take a while to get used to swapping CDs, though. We found that each CD tends to launch a new copy of itself, and so we would often bypass the Command Center and run each program separately from within Windows.

Both Compton's Encyclopedia and Webster's Dictionary/Thesaurus are the noteworthy tools here. Compton's has earned points with users in the past for its effective use of multimedia. Webster's Dictionary/Thesaurus provides a simple, yet very effective, interface for looking up words and phrases. There are two additional modules here: The Learning Company's guide to student writing (called The Student Writing Center) makes it simple to do word processing with basic templates for reports, letters, and other documents. (This program lets you save and load work in .txt files for sharing work with other word processors.) Another tool, The Interactive Guide to Microsoft Office 2000, seemed less effective; it shows off how to do basic tasks in Office 2000. (Billed as a Computer Coach, this CD is probably something to overlook.)

Though it is more a grab bag of tools than an integrated package, Student Resource Advantage 2001 gives students several valuable tools that will let them learn more and write more effectively. Any parent can feel good about this choice for getting their son or daughter up to speed with a capable set of electronic references. --Rich Dragan

Amazon.com Product Description
Student Resource Advantage provides online information right at your fingertips. Included are easy-to-use, interactive resources to help you get organized, practice time management, and produce polished reports. Find just the right word--even if you can't spell it. Auto-open your scheduler to view the day's tasks. Plus, take advantage of the included CD-ROM, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Time.