Microsoft DogsMicrosoft Dogs
The beauty of the CD-ROM is its ability to make information, and learning, interesting. Microsoft Dogs, available for Windows or Macintosh formats, is an excellent example of the growing multimedia field known as edutainment. Combining over 700 fact-filled entries with amusing diversions and an easy-to-use graphical interface, Dogs is fun to use and chock full of information.
Dogs provides the user with access to information on over 250 breeds from around the world, with narrated videos, interactive articles with photos, breed characteristics, origins, tips for potential owners, and much more. It is easy to find yourself wandering through the thousands of screens of information--discovering the Hungarian Puli for example, finding out the best solution for fleas and ticks, or just plinking out a few tunes on the Dog Piano--the options are limitless.
Fortunately Microsoft makes it easy to navigate through this nearly overwhelming information overload. Providing a wonderful contents page and a quick access toolbar (craftily shaped like dog biscuits), it is easy to find your way around the world of Microsoft Dogs.
Choosing from one of the four starting points--Breeds, Care, Origins, or Guides--is your best bet. Try taking a tour to get the feel of the system, then branch out on your own. Use the Canine Consultant option to find out what dog might be best for you or your family, or go directly to the Index to find information about a specific breed.
One minor irritation is the way in which the program tries to keep you involved. If you fail to move the mouse for as little as 20 seconds, the program will whimper, scratch at the door or offer an irritated woof. It's a cute idea, indeed probably just how a dog would act in person, but I found it rather annoying on some of the text-heavy pages.
This annoyance though, is far outweighed by the simplicity and completeness of the rest of the program. Running smoothly on a 486 with 4 MB RAM and a double-speed CD-ROM, and with no files copied to the hard drive, this program should run smoothly on virtually any system. Combining a massive amount of canine information in a format that is fun for both children and adults, Microsoft Dogs is a definite must for dog lovers, or just those who are interested in learning more about mans best friend.
