Selecting a CD-ROM to buy for a child
NetSales is an electronic distributor of computer products worldwide. NetSales has a hyperlink to the Benchin' Cyberstore, where customers can contribute reviews of software. You do need to register to enter the Benchin' Cyberstore.
EdRev, an independent reviewer, edrev@echidnahouse.com.au, has terrific reviews of CD-ROM software. Unfortunately, they are adding no more reviews to their collection. EdRev is published by Echidna House.
Kids Domain Reviews has over 450 commercial software reviews for the kids as well as editorial commentary on kids' software. Cynthia A. Sorrels very competently contributes many of the reviews. She includes information such as the difficulty of installation, skills to be learned, and whether it is boring or not.
Margaret D. Gibbs, gibbsm@ll.mit.edu, has assembled a children's software FAQ, which has several links to various discussions on and reviews of children's software. The major part of this vast assembly was completed in 1995. As a result, some of the links are no longer active.
Several magazines have reviews ranging from completely useless and self-serving to really helpful and insightful.
ZDNET'S Family PC is available hardcopy and on the Web.
Children's Software Revue claims it is the Consumers Report of children's software from ages of 2 to 15 years. They appear brave enough to say better not buy this CD-ROM.
Brainplay.com has some very meaty and colorful reviews.
Superkids Educational Software Review is a very helpful guide, not just evaluating a single CD-ROM at a time, but combining valuations.
Now I am ready to purchase a CD-ROM. The next question is where? Stay tuned, as they used to say in the days of broadcast stations and channels.