New Millennium

This new electronic atlas program from Rand McNally is spectacular. If you are looking for a high powered, fully updated and exciting atlas, you will not go wrong with "New Millennium." Rand McNally has an impeccable reputation when it comes to map production. They have taken careful steps to assure their reputation is not tarnished with the release of this new program.

The 3-D maps included with "New Millenium" are among the best around. Keep in mind that this is a high powered program. It uses a fairly high amount of hard disk space (at least 25 MB or more) and is optimized to take advantage of the new MMX technology. This is not a program you want to use if you have a lower end computer. You will be frustrated with the slow load times. If you are one of the lucky ones with a fairly powerful computer, this program will meet or exceed your expectations.

Your family can view the world in so many different ways it is impossible to recount each of the possibilities here. Thematic maps allow you to study various facets of world population, production, weather and more. There are detailed city maps of 65 major cities around the world. This is a nice feature available in only a few geography programs. Hundreds of text articles turn this program into more than an interactive map. Your children will be able to create reports and study various geographical concepts in great detail. Each article is full of Internet links which will lead to further explorations. The articles are on an approximate 9th grade reading level, so most children will be able to wade through the text without too much trouble even if they need a little help from mom or dad.

If you or your children like to customize your study experiences, you will be thrilled with "New Millenium." The capabilities are tremendous. Aside from the gorgeous maps, this is where the strength of the program lies. You are allowed to print anything within the program and customize how it is printed. In one area you can generate your own individualized maps. By choosing subjects you would like to look at such as Indian reservations, rivers, transportation, religious orientation etc. (possible combinations are staggering) you can generate a brand new map. Not only will the program create these maps, but it will allow you to adjust and choose the colors and text. It is easy to add your own drawings or text to any existing maps. Yes, you can write and draw right on top of existing maps and print them out! This brings a whole new dimension to the idea of a report or research paper! The possibilities make your mind swim!

If you are looking for an atlas program which will sit there and 'present' the information to you with little or no effort, you will not want to purchase this program. This is a 'dig in and get your hands dirty' type of atlas program. As a result, you are given more tools and more possibilities than with any other atlas program on the market. This is a very new program and one which Rand McNally is taking much pride in. I can understand why after spending some time with "New Millenium." It is program worthy of the Rand McaNally name.

Grading:

Educational value- 5
Entertainment value- 3 1/2
Use of medium- 5
Age- 10+

From Rand McNally at (800)671-5056.