Garden EncyclopediaGarden Encyclopedia
Why is it that many of the best CD-ROM programs-the ones you go back to time after time-are encyclopedias or a similar type of organized informational resource? Maybe it's because accessing, searching and jumping between related pieces of information is what CD-ROMS do best. Many publishers try to knit together more linear programs and video sequences and run them off the CD-ROM. This is often unsatisfactory because even a fast CD-ROM is slow and clumsy compared to your hard disk, and large video segments are still best done on VCR tape.
Garden Encyclopedia shows that the publisher understands both the advantages and the limitations of the disc medium. Where others have done over-designed rambling programs on this same subject, Books that Work has put together a simple gardening encyclopedia that is very usable and worthwhile-one you will use again and again.
The program is based on a paper encyclopedia metaphor and therefore easily understood. The opening screen is the cover page of a colorful book with the main sections linked to their descriptions and index tabs that run along the side to let you jump quickly to other chapters or to an alphabetical plant listing. Clearly labeled icons at the bottom allow you to search for plants by name or by specific criteria you can set.
As an example of these search criteria, let's say you want to find all the perennials that will grow in climate zone six and will produce white flowers in early summer. Check the appropriate boxes on the search screen, hit the button and the program will draw up a series of custom notebook pages with pictures of the 73 plants that meet these criteria. You can click on any photo to see full information about the plant and an enlarged picture. If you have a sound card, the program will pronounce the botanical name of the plant you are viewing.
You can easily go back and forth in your selection list or to the complete alphabetical listing for comparing choices. When you find something you like, you can add it to a personal plant list you can name, save, and print.
While the plant database is the main reason for buying this program, there are many short but good articles on such subjects as transplanting, starting plants from cuttings, pests, diseases, and garden care. Many of these articles are augmented by well-done short video clips. Additionally, there are several predefined search pages set up for quick access. When you click on one called Kitchen Herbs, for instance, the program comes up with two notebook pages with a total of 18 herbs you can consider for an herb garden. Another added value item is a large database of mail order suppliers of plants and nursery supplies.
This title has over 1,000 plant listings and covers just about any type of plant that can be grown in North America. For some entries, however, you will wish there were more information. For example, you often want to know what something looks like in different seasons, or you would like to see separate pictures of its fruit, flowers and foliage. This program has only one photo per plant. Also the level of detail about plants and how to care for them will not threaten to replace the good regional gardening resource books that have evolved over the years. Maybe someday the best paper books such as the Western Garden Book will find a way to organize all their excellent material, combine it with a full database of detailed color photos and put it all on a CD-ROM. Until that time, keep your paper books for the deeper research, but use the Garden Encyclopedia for your initial explorations to browse, search for, and compare plants. You will find it a satisfying and rewarding experience.
For PC: IBM compatible, Windows 3.1, at least 4 MB RAM, VGA or better graphics (256 color), CD-ROM and 2 MB free disk space. Sound card recommended.
