Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary

Software Magazine, Oct 15, 1997 by Mathew Schwartz

Price -- $29.99 (paperback, includes CD) Publisher -- Microsoft Press

URL -- mspress.microsoft.com

ISBN -- 1 572 31446

Published by Microsoft Press, an outfit better known for writing programming books and creating manuals, the Computer Dictionary provides definitions for over 7,600 terms and is updated quarterly on Microsoft's Web site. Deciding to test the book's billing as "The comprehensive standard for business, school, library, and home," I conducted a quick litmus test by looking up a few of my favorite computer words. Having just written an article wrought with millennial doom, I checked "Year 2000 date problem." What? Not there? Oh, that's right, Microsoft applications don't have any Year 2000 date problems. No, wait! It's listed under "2000 time problem" in the Numbers and Symbols chapter. Okay, so they have it and the definition is accurate and thorough. But who's going to find it there?

Competitive biases, too, are for the birds. For example, the Internet Explorer entry mentions its ability to use Java applets, but the entry for Netscape Navigator is noticeably silent. When I consult a dictionary, I want accurate entries, not PR. Choose for yourself.