Microsoft Encarta to be Discontinued

[soumya]

On October 31, 2009, MSN® Encarta® Web sites worldwide will be discontinued, with the exception of Encarta Japan, which will be discontinued on December 31, 2009. Additionally, Microsoft will cease to sell Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products worldwide by June 2009. We understand that Encarta users may have questions regarding this announcement so we have prepared this list of questions and answers below. Please keep reading if you would like more information about these changes to Encarta.


Why are these Encarta Web sites and software products being discontinued?

Encarta has been a popular product around the world for many years. However, the category of traditional encyclopedias and reference material has changed. People today seek and consume information in considerably different ways than in years past. As part of Microsoft’s goal to deliver the most effective and engaging resources for today’s consumer, it has made the decision to exit the Encarta business.
Microsoft's vision is that everyone around the world needs to have access to quality education, and we believe that we can use what we’ve learned and assets we’ve accrued with offerings like Encarta to develop future technology solutions. In doing so, we feel strongly that we are making the right investments that will help make our vision a reality.


When are these Encarta Web sites and software products being discontinued?

MSN Encarta worldwide (except Japan) will be discontinued on October 31, 2009. MSN Encarta Japan will be discontinued on December 31, 2009. After these specified dates, the Web sites will no longer be available.

Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products are also being discontinued. Microsoft will stop making them available for sale by June 2009.

Source

[max_demon]

it was boon for my friends without internet connection

[mehra.rakesh]

hmm ..Being a MVP is it obligatory for you guys to post Microsoft news ?? just asking

neways with 24x7 internet and Wikis this had to happen sometime ...

[Phantom Lancer]

Originally Posted by soumya

Encarta has been a popular product around the world for many years. However, the category of traditional encyclopedias and reference material has changed. People today seek and consume information in considerably different ways than in years past (like wikipedia ). As part of Microsoft’s goal to deliver the most effective and engaging resources for today’s consumer, it has made the decision to exit the Encarta business.
Microsoft's vision is that everyone around the world needs to have access to quality education, and we believe that we can use what we’ve learned and assets we’ve accrued with offerings like Encarta to develop future technology solutions. In doing so, we feel strongly that we are making the right investments that will help make our vision a reality.

I guess thats Euphemism For "Wikipedia pawned us"

[Krazy Bluez]

For internet lovers...Wikipedia rocks...but for normal persons, Encarta rocked...but on other hand we have Britannica instead

[amitabhishek]

I am not a Microsoft fan not even remotely but I liked eye candy in Encarta. I hope Wiki will do something about it...

[apoorva84]

i installed encarta 2005 once on my system and it wasn't bad. but Wikipedia seriously kicked encarta's ass. this as expected to happen sooner or later. at least, Microsoft has realized that its no match for Wikipedia.

[Chirag]

Why are you guys even comparing Encarta and Wikipedia?

[the bot]

Originally Posted by Chirag

Why are you guys even comparing Encarta and Wikipedia?

exactly

[gxsaurav]

Encarta is a dead horse, good that Microsoft is closing it. Although in this age of Google & Internet I would still prefer an online checked Encyclopedia instead of Wikipedia.

Can you trust the information of Wikipedia considering there is no system to check the authenticity of the content.

[the bot]

wasn't you're account inactive yesterday gxsaurav?

[Dark Core]

Using Encarta for a while, Except those eye candy Webaroo rocks man - I guess Offline users should switch to Webaroo, any one using here yaar ? - I installed Webaroo Pack back when digit gave in their June Issue, guess digit will give it another shot..

[Phantom Lancer]

Originally Posted by Chirag

Why are you guys even comparing Encarta and Wikipedia?

Originally Posted by the bot

exactly

Wikipedia played a huge role in Encarta's demise ......

New York times article
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/0...-wikipedia/?hp

-----------------------------------------
Posted again:
-----------------------------------------

Originally Posted by gxsaurav

Encarta is a dead horse, good that Microsoft is closing it. Although in this age of Google & Internet I would still prefer an online checked Encyclopedia instead of Wikipedia.

Can you trust the information of Wikipedia considering there is no system to check the authenticity of the content.

Yes !

The free online resource Wikipedia is about as accurate on science as the Encyclopedia Britannica, a study shows.
-Courtesy BBC

News Article link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4530930.stm

[Disc_Junkie]

I was using Wikipedia and Encarta 2002 for many days. I find that Wikipedia is much much better than Encarta!!
-----------------------------------------
Posted again:
-----------------------------------------

Originally Posted by Black Core

Using Encarta for a while, Except those eye candy Webaroo rocks man - I guess Offline users should switch to Webaroo, any one using here yaar ? - I installed Webaroo Pack back when digit gave in their June Issue, guess digit will give it another shot..

I have asked for it in the December 2008 issue. Really that DVD with Webaroo June 2007 issue helped me a lot for doing project works!!

[himadri_sm]

Does Encarta have a built in dictionary that supports pronunciation? If it does,then is it reliable & accurate?what is the total word stock?
Also can someone suggest me some good dictionary software that supports pronunciation,has modern words & can be updated?

Sorry for being offtopic.

[R2K]

encarta was one of the most useful softwares out there for students.....

[vamsi_krishna]

i love encarta. Praticularly the kids section is very entertaining.

[himadri_sm]

Originally Posted by sekhar_xxx

Does Encarta have a built in dictionary that supports pronunciation? If it does,then is it reliable & accurate?what is the total word stock?
Also can someone suggest me some good dictionary software that supports pronunciation,has modern words & can be updated?

Sorry for being offtopic.

???

[vamsi_krishna]

I remember Encarta Having dictionary which has stress marks and phonetic transcription

[himadri_sm]

Originally Posted by vamsikrishna919

I remember Encarta Having dictionary which has stress marks and phonetic transcription

thanx

[abhi.eternal]

Originally Posted by sekhar_xxx

Does Encarta have a built in dictionary that supports pronunciation? If it does,then is it reliable & accurate?what is the total word stock?
Also can someone suggest me some good dictionary software that supports pronunciation,has modern words & can be updated?

Sorry for being offtopic.

try wordweb pro... you'll love it. also i m sad after hearing about this news. encarta was a boon when i was in dial-up. the maths section was excellent with the step by step guide. also what about those who are in limited internet plans?

[vamsi_krishna]

^+1, microsoft insted of fighting the challenge from other sources, is simply accepting defeat.

[Phantom Lancer]

You cant blame them (Microsoft)

The number of offline Encyclopedia user base is very very small .... and restricted to few countries like India , where the cost of Internet is very high ...... so looking at it from a global perspective Microsoft's decision to stop Encarta makes good business sense ....

The main advantage of a community driven online Encyclopedia like Wikipedia is that its very up to date and got articles on almost all possible topics .....But ofcourse Wikipedia (or any other source for that matter) should not be your only source of information .

[naveen_reloaded]

who needs it ?

[Phantom Lancer]

who needs what

[vamsi_krishna]

naveen means, Who needs Encarta...?

[MetalheadGautham]

I still feel like an A$$ for buying Encarta 2008 DVD 3 years back. Back then to get broadband connection it used to take a hell lot of time to get clearence, so it made sense to me I guess but I was a hardcore n00b then.