Spring 1999
Seal of Approval
Product Testing Report
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Products recognized as winners in this report have been judged by independent parent testers. Submitted products are evaluated on their individual levels of appeal, desirability, sturdiness, interactive stimulation, price and other elements essential in the make-up of a quality product.
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Baby Wow!
Bow Wow House
"Software for babies?" That was the most common question we heard when testers first saw Baby Wow! After playing together with their little ones however, their skepticism was replaced with enthusiasm. This is a fun, exceptionally easy to use program that lets parents and little ones play together on the computer uncovering pictures, counting, recognizing colors, shapes and more. The only thing a child needs to do is click the mouse to have sounds, images and colors appear. This was usually met with smiles and giggles. Bow Wow House is happy to introduce children to the fun of computer use and parents agreed that this was the way to do it. There are eight language options which also really impressed and intrigued parents.
Suggested Age: 9 mos.-3 yrs. Price: $34.99
Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill
Her Interactive
Nancy Drew has made the leap from book series to CD-ROM and her fans will love the results. Faced with a challenging caper, Nancy and your child must uncover clues that are ingeniously hidden throughout town. Testers told us that they found the program to be exciting, engaging and entertaining. Parents responded by telling us that software that engages their teens with such enthusiastic energy surely rates as a must-have. The game features first-rate graphics, audio and a well-conceived plot line that really delivers the goods.
Suggested Age: 11 and Up Price: $39.95
Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite 99
Microsoft
There is an elegance to Microsoft's superb encyclopedia Encarta that takes software to a new level. So much information is put at the users fingertips using seamless integration of video, still photos, text, the Internet and more. Our testers were dazzled at how quickly they could call up information on virtually any subject. The interface is so rich and beautiful that we found ourselves eagerly delving into areas of research. Then as we backed out of a subject retracing our steps we were amazed at the winding labyrinth we had taken. Microsoft has made the mystery of exploration both inviting and rewarding. Using the Internet to enhance their existing knowledge database with active links to web pages makes Encarta 99 so much more than a software package. Whether it is a student report or just to settle an argument, Encarta is a great tool.
Suggested Age: 10 and Up Price: $99.95
Droidworks
Lucas Learning
Riding the crest of this summer's highly anticipated Star Wars movie release, Droidworks is a superb educational software package that comes cleverly designed like a game. The instant familiarity with characters like C3PO and R2D2, make this new title seem like an old friend. You are a Master Builder of Droids or robots. Your goal is to build the correct Droid to fulfill a variety of tasks assigned to you. Users must take into account a number of factors including weight, power consumption, strength, magnetism, communication skills and so much more. There is a database of knowledge that helps children research the cause and effect of every related aspect, including animated demonstrations that bring the theories of force, gravity, electricity to life. Armed with this knowledge, the builder not only builds but also controls his Droid to help defeat the evil Empire. It's all great fun that will have you coming back for more.
Suggested Age: 10 and Up Price: $39.95
Plato Math
Problem Solving
Plato Education
Real life scenarios are so helpful when trying to impart lessons that can be dry in a classroom setting. Plato Education recognizes this and has created a series of real life backdrops that require children to use creative thinking along with basic math skills to solve real life situations. Calculating, estimating and projecting are all a part of the challenges that await users of this program. The creative team worked overtime and the results show as this well-produced CD-ROM engages students right from the start. If your child likes to face a challenge head-on and is tenacious enough to see it through, then this could be right up their alley.
Suggested Age: 12 and Up Price: $69.95
The Employment Partnership
Plato Education
Designed for use in schools and other training ground areas, Plato has created an ambitious tool for preparing the next generation of employees. Using a unique interface, students role play with characters in a fictional setting. Throughout the program they learn basic concepts about the running of a business, how things work such as hiring employees, material needs, production requirements and much, much more. This is not designed to create business owners but gives teens an appreciation of the whole picture. We heard from testers that they felt they were better prepared to join a team and get to work.
Suggested Age: 16 and Up Price: $120.95
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Last Update: April 17, 1999