In my post earlier (http://blogoscoped.com/forum/61849.html#id61961) I mentioned that it's possible (and free) to search and retrieve from the Encarta encyclopedia for free via IM.
It often goes unnoticed that it is also possible to search Encarta (via the web) for FREE, full text, and even be able to access multimedia content including audio and video clips.
To get to the content, try this (one of several routes):
1) Search for any Encarta entry via MSN Live Search or MSN Search.
2) Here's an example with a search for "Germany." I also used Encarta as a search term. Of course:
http://www.live.com/?q=germany&FORM=LVSP&scope=web&x=0&y=0#q=germany%20encarta&offset=2
Of course,
site:encarta.msn.com (foo) would also work.
3) Find an entry article, any article.
http://www.live.com/?q=germany&FORM=LVSP&scope=web&x=0&y=0#q=germany%20encarta&offset=2
Here I selected the "Germany" article.
4) Select the result.
Now, notice the 2hr countdown clock on the results page. This means you can now access the complete Encarta product minus a few features via the Encarta site.
(see: http://search.msn.com/docs/help.aspx?t=SEARCH_CONC_EncartaFreePass.htm)
and get 2 free hours to the complete product. Once the you run out of time, simply reset the clock by going to another result (via the MSN Search). Knowing GB readers, I'm sure someone will come up with a script or bookmarklet to make it even easier to reset the time cookie.
As I said, it's not just the text that's available. I've been able to listen to the words of Albert Einstein, listen to an audio clip from Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and view video & listen to Nelson Mandela.
Caveat: It appears multimedia works best in IE (surprised? (-:)
P.S. http://search.msn.com also works fine. Note the Encarta interface.
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I guess that's not multimedia which works best on IE. Its a MS Product that works good on IE.
BTW. Nice idea... |
