Encarta Kids Software ABC 4 KIDS Workshop v.3.0 Great tool for Kids to learn the English ABC Alphabets and spelling using Pictures, Realistic Speech Audio and Self-testing for Kids. Full Audio-Visual and Multimedia features have been built into the program.
Microsoft Encarta was a digital multimedia encyclopedia published by Microsoft Corporation from 1993 to 2009. Originally sold on CD-ROM or DVD, it was also later available on the World Wide Web via an annual subscription – although later many articles could also be viewed free online with advertisements. Encarta 2009 For Windows 7, free encarta 2009 for windows 7 software downloads, Page 3.
The first digital interactive encyclopedia.
When one day Microsoft decided to create the multimedia encyclopedia called Encarta. At the time they knew that it would revolutionize the landscape of encyclopedias, becoming the industry leader. But it took until 2005 for the stable version of Microsoft Encarta to be released, and that soon became an indispensable tool for both students and professionals alike. They were even allowed to suggest changes to Microsoft, along with ideas for things to be included in later versions.
Unfortunately, Microsoft decided that the competition from free sites like Wikipedia were damaging their sales, and so decided that the time and effort needed to keep it up to date weren't cost-effective. Thus they stopped selling the Encarta Encyclopedia in 2009. This is despite its tremendous growth, as it had over 62,000 articles, which were supplemented with pictures, maps, audio and video, timelines, interactive activities and atlases. All this, and in several languages too.
Although Microsoft doesn't currently offer any alternative to Encarta, many of us still have hope that someday they'll launch a new version of Encarta.
NOTE: This program doesn't have downloads available. The 'download' link in your tab will take you to their website, where you can find more information about Microsoft Encarta.