Software
Review of: |
| Religions
of the World, by Mentorom
Multimedia, is basically a learning and educational program.
It has two major sections: Aspects of Religion and Contemporary Issues.
The "Aspects" uses more than 1000 photographs, maps, illustrations, and
text to create a comprehensive source of reference to eight major world
religions. These are, in no particular order: Buddhism, Shinto, Christianity,
Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, and Confucianism. The "Contemporary
Issues"section sets each religion in the context of major issues facing
people throughout the world. It gives you modern insights on the teachings
of the religions on things such as war, the death penalty, marriage, and
so on.
This is a great reference or learning tool for anyone who wants to learn more about their own religion, or who wants to better understand the beliefs of others not of the same faith. With all the background and pictures, I was able to learn a little more about some of the other religions mentioned. No offense intended here, but I never knew much about, or knew the differences between many of the other major religions of the world. So I used this program to help break my ignorance, and expand my rather limited horizons. The "Aspects" area is broken down further, into several user friendly areas. The first, "Matrix," shows the beliefs, people, scriptures, places, festivals, communities, and artifacts, all explained within the context of each religion. The second, "Personal View," has interviews with clergy and regular laymen of each religion, with little movie clips. These people answer some questions presented to them, and describe some of the points of their respective religions that they find relevant. And the third area is "Visit." This is where there is a slide show type presentation, with accompanying text. You can also hyperlink from highlighted words within that text, to other slides and descriptions. It also has an in depth "Index," and a "Glossary." I liked the glossary a lot. It has words and phrases relating to all the religions, and when you click on the word or words, you get an audio snippet of the pronunciation. And not just any speaker, but someone from that culture, saying it as it should be said, accents and all. I don't know about you, but when I saw some of these words in print, such as "Bodhisattva" or "Du'a," my eyes would sorta glaze over. But hearing the word spoken as it should be helps me past that hurdle.
It has two other features, "Compare" and "Trailsave." The first uses a split screen, to show two faiths at once, allowing you to consider the similarities and differences between them. The second, Trailsave, allows you to create presentations or teaching tools, basically putting together a sort of a slide show. You can group any of the pictures, text items, or whatever, in any order you want. I didn't really play with either feature much. A couple of minor likes and dislikes:
Like
Dislike
Requirements
My recommendation? I liked it. If you want the information, it is there, in an easy-to-use format. Not high-tech or lots of bells and whistles. If they come out with a version of, say, America's religions, I'd buy it too. Mentorom Multimedia can be reached through their website or by e-mail. You can't order it from them online, but you can call Collectibles Direct, at (800) 214-3668 to order it from them. It costs $19.98, plus $2 shipping and handling. I was not able to find it anywhere around town.
Joe LaBonté lives in Converse with his wife of eleven years, Denise. He works for the Post Office as an Electronics Technician. He is looking forward to his retirement (in about 20 years or so). http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/2696 |