CD-ROMs Offer New Bytes for Bookworms

There’s been plenty of debate the last few years about the plausibility of digital media replacing print media--particularly books and magazines. While I don’t see this happening in my lifetime, I do believe digital multimedia offer an experience that goes far beyond the mere printed page.

Just how much, however, depends on the topic.

I’m not talking about simply dumping a text-file copy of a book on CD-ROM so it can be read on a computer screen; I’m talking about state-of-the-art multimedia to bring to life the works of authors.

For example, Houghton Mifflin’s interactive division (https://www.hminet.com) has made impressive digital CD-ROM titles of business books from top-selling authors Peter Lynch (“Learn to Earn: A Beginner’s Guide to the Basics of Investing and Business”), Tom Peters (“The Circle of Innovation: You Can’t Shrink Your Way to Greatness”) and Jay Conrad Levinson (“Get What You Deserve! How to Guerrilla Market Yourself”).

Lynch is the legendary stock picker who guided the Fidelity Magellan Fund to record levels during a 13-year period including the 1980s. In “The Stock Shop with Peter Lynch” CD-ROM, the investment whiz helps you understand and possibly profit from the stock market using the latest interactive technology. The CD-ROM also takes you online to review research on more 6,000 companies. This Windows-only title lists for $69.95.

If you have concerns about your workplace future, you may want to invest in Peters’ “Career Survival Guide.” Peters’ basic premise is that every working person is a one-person business. On this CD-ROM, he covers career development--from building a resume that gets noticed to managing projects and keeping track of your accomplishments. Also only for Windows, this title lists for $39.95.

Levinson’s series of Guerrilla books have been perennial best-sellers. The “Guerrilla Marketing” CD-ROM combines Levinson’s knowledge and insight with “25 ready-to-launch marketing weapons” and planning tools to help give you a competitive edge, no matter what type of business you run. This Windows-only title lists for $39.95.

Looking for a job? Or maybe a career change? Perhaps you’re not sure what you should be when you grow up? Bumblebee Technologies’ (https://www.parachute.net/) new $50 CD-ROM “What Color Is Your Parachute?” includes a copy of Richard Nelson Bolles’ book, the book on CD-ROM, some slide shows, links to career sites on the Internet and a personal profile test. While the CD-ROM doesn’t take advantage of the latest multimedia techniques, it may be a start to finding the career meant for you.

If you’re in need of a little personal enlightenment, you may be interested in Deepak Chopra’s “The Wisdom Within” CD-ROM, published by Random House (https://www.randomhouse.com). The multimedia title from Chopra, best-selling author of numerous titles, including “Journey into Healing: Awakening the Wisdom Within You,” is divided into three sections: Living in Balance, a daily guide for a healthy mind and body; The Field of Infinite Possibilities, which covers self-examination as a means to fulfillment; and Sacred Space, a personal journal that includes more than 100 writing exercises, as well as affirmations and daily activities. This Mac/Windows title lists for $39.95.

After you’ve invested all your money, changed your career, marketed your business and healed yourself, it’s time to enjoy classic literature. A couple of titles from the Voyager CD-ROM series from Learn Technologies Interactive (https://voyager.learntech.com) come to mind.

Hosted by “vampire expert” Raymond McNally, “Dracula: Truth or Terror” includes the complete text of Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic, along with hundreds of pop-up commentaries by McNally. This CD-ROM also includes the classic film “Nosferatu”; film clips from some of the most ridiculous vampire movies on record; and the story of Vlad the Impaler, on whom Dracula legends are based. This Mac/Windows title lists for $29.95.

Another Voyager title, “Macbeth,” attempts to do the seemingly impossible: make Shakespeare interesting for those of us who never quite figured what the hubbub was about. There are pop-up definitions and explanations, commentaries by a variety of experts, a variety of film clips, and an opportunity for you to participate in Macbeth karaoke. This Mac/Windows title lists for $39.95.

Moving on to the 20th century, “A Jack Kerouac Romnibus,” published by Penguin Putnam (https://www.penguinputnam.com) starts with the complete text of “The Dharma Bums” but is enhanced by notes, photographs, graphics, music and video. This title rounds out with a timeline of Kerouac’s life and plenty of general information about the Beat movement. This Mac/Windows title lists for $49.95.

Most of these titles are available online from Amazon.com Books (https://www.amazon.com) for substantial discounts off the publisher’s suggested prices.

Also, remember that your CD-ROM drive can be used to listen to audio CDs too. The audio book business is expanding from cassette tapes to include audio CDs. If you’d like to have a book read to you while you’re working at your computer, you may want to consider buying such a “book.” The most comprehensive offering of books on CD that I’ve found online is at Audiobooks.com (https://www.audiobooks.com).

I don’t think digital media will ever replace books. But they surely can complement the reading experience.

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Kim Komando is a TV host, syndicated talk radio host and author. You can visit her on the Internet at https://www.komando.com or e-mail her at komando@komando.com. Her national radio program can be heard on Saturdays from 7 to 9 a.m. on 97.1 KLSX-FM.

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Top Ten / News Flash

The Internet’s role as a major source of news is rising. News was No. 1 on a list of the types of content most sought online. Percentage of Internet users who seek these categories of content most online.

Content category: Percentage

News: 66%

Hobbies: 62%

Travel: 56%

Movies/entertainment: 50%

Government/community: 46%

Health/medicine: 45%

Product information: 42%

Sports: 41%

Music: 41%

Games: 37%

Sources: Find/SVP: “The Step-of-the-Net,” by Peter Clemente