Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Great Unabridged Dictionary for the Money Review: I have only owned this book for a couple of months but have come to love this book so much more than my simple college dictionary. It is a little large but not as bad as one might think for an UNABRIDGED dictionary. The only drawback about this dictionary is that they list the new words in the beginning of the book instead of intergrading it into the bulk of the book. This seems like an awfully cheap way to update the dictionary without having to change the entire book. It wouldn't be so bad but half the time I forget to reference this section when looking up a term. Overall this ia a must have for every home, especially any home with college students.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: RHUD on CD: Great product, but short lived Review: I have the (huge) hardcover version of this book, which I enjoy very much. I have the previous version of the CD (not version 3 sold here), and I _used_ to enjoy it very much. Why _used_? because the previous version worked on Windows 95, but doesn't work on Windows NT, not to mention Linux (which is my favorite operating system). So after only a year of using it I was forced to stop using it, because none of the systems I have access to had Windows 95 any more... So if you buy the current version CD-ROM, be prepared for it to be as-good-as-useless after a couple of years or so. If you switch to Linux, to Macintosh, Windows 2002, or whatever system comes along in a couple of years, the CD-ROM you buy now will become a Frisbee. I tried contacting Random-House about the issue, asking them to have free (or cheap) software upgrades (only the software, not the data), or better yet: let someone (like myself) write a free interface to the data in the CD-ROM (you'll still have to buy the data CD, of course!) - this will also make a Linux version available. But unforunately Random House refused, so I'm stuck with using the paper version of the dictionary - which will probably last at least several decades, and be usable for my grandchildren.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: The best of the three CD dictionaries that I have Review: I have the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, the Encarta World English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Talking Dictionary - all on CD. This one is the best. I've encountered several words ("stare decisis" is the most recent) that can only be found in this dictionary. Also, the pronunciation of words in the Random House dictionary is better than the others. The Encarta sounds extremely robotic. And while the American Heritage sounds more human, it's not quite as clear (or as cheerful) as the Random House. If you're trying to decide which CD dictionary to buy among the three that I mentioned, I recommend this one.The reason that I have three dictionaries is that I'm looking for a particular feature. I want to construct a mini-dictionary created from my own vocabulary words. I'd like to maintain a list of words. Then I'd like to print the complete list with definition, etymology, etc. so that I can have my own custom dictionary in hard copy. This feature does not exist in any of the three CD dictionaries. (If anyone reading this has any suggestions, please email me at johnwilk@earthlink.net.)
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Looking for the Best in a Dictionary Review: I was shopping for an extremely well rounded dictionary that would take me through college and beyond. After ordering the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary I will stop right here. It is large in size, but when you want ease of use and full coverage of the material you may need look no more. I would recommend this dictionary to anyone, especially college students who plan to get advanced degrees. This one should last for years to come. Keep up the good work Random House is my comment to them. I love it is all that I can say about the product. It exceeded my expectations.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Looking for the Best in a Dictionary Review: I was shopping for an extremely well rounded dictionary that would take me through college and beyond. After ordering the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary I will stop right here. It is large in size, but when you want ease of use and full coverage of the material you may need look no more. I would recommend this dictionary to anyone, especially college students who plan to get advanced degrees. This one should last for years to come. Keep up the good work Random House is my comment to them. I love it is all that I can say about the product. It exceeded my expectations.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Excellent choice Review: I was using the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary for years, but after not finding some terms I decided to buy the RH Webster's one. OK, I agree with other reviewer that the new terms should be included in their place in the dictionary, not in a separated section (the printed one is too bulky to spend much time searching). But you have also the CD ROM, which you'll love: The CD has all the words, pictures and pronunciations; the default setting is just nice but you can change it as you like. So far (about four months) I have found all the words I have searched and the different pronuntiations, if the case, for them. I'll say it again: it's an excellent choice.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Not for everybody Review: I would have given this software a 5 if it wasn't for some misleading information. I like the physical dictionary and have used it extensively. I have some friends who have the software and rave about it and I have tinkered with it myself. BUT, even though the information given is "for Windows 95/98 and above" it won't work in Windows ME. I called Random House when it wouldn't install and they said that it won't work in ME. I won't go into the rest of my conversation with them but just beware buying this product. It might not work.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Not for everybody Review: I would have given this software a 5 if it wasn't for some misleading information. I like the physical dictionary and have used it extensively. I have some friends who have the software and rave about it and I have tinkered with it myself. BUT, even though the information given is "for Windows 95/98 and above" it won't work in Windows ME. I called Random House when it wouldn't install and they said that it won't work in ME. I won't go into the rest of my conversation with them but just beware buying this product. It might not work.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary on CD-ROM Review: I'd say the Webster's Unabridged Dicionary on CD-ROM is one of the best on-line reference values I've found. It is indeed an unabridged American English dicionary, including etymologies, on CD-ROM. If your computer has a sound card and speakers the dictionary also delivers online pronunciation. Although most moderately knowledgable computer users should have no problem with the CD-ROM's user interface, you'll enjoy this CD-ROM more if you're willing to play with it just a bit to discover its capabilities; this is good because the on-line help that accompanies the package is a bit weak. In the end, despite a few small (and definitely non-fatal) deficiencies, if you're the sort of person who wants an unabridged American English dictionary on-line, this value probably can't be surpassed. (If it can, I'd like to know where.)
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Almost perfect.... Review: I've been using the dictionary for six months,it is the best Webster I've had so far. In contrast to other Websters I have, it gives many examples, has unique, clear usage notes, regional variations,at least two pronunciations at each entry.There is however a spelling mistake in the world"acqiure"-spelled"aquire" in the usage note at "gotten". I have found all the words I needed, but not all the meanings. At the entry "skite"the British meaning-'play hooky' is not given, but it is a dictionary of American English. It is very useful for the learners of English like myself. Phrasal verbs are in bold, all their meanings are given and the layout is clear.Using the book each time may really be time consuming,and the CD version does not include all the senses that are in the book.. still worth buying...
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