School essentials - and more

With the start of the scholastic year practically round the corner, this month's offer to readers of The Sunday Times consists of nine titles that should find their place on any virtual bookshelf.

Top of the list are four first class dictionaries: English, French, German and Spanish. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary (11th edition) provides an authoritative description of the English language. With instant access to over 240,000 words, phrases, and definitions, this program is ideal for anyone needing an up-to-date dictionary of current English on their PC.

The key features include:

¤ thousands of brand new words and senses from Oxford's unrivalled new words research;

¤ full text and advanced search features;

¤ detailed appendices, providing useful information on topics, such as prime ministers, the solar system, and chemical elements;

¤ spoken pronunciations for more than 50,000 headwords;

¤ a 'Guide to Good English', plus hundreds of extra notes, offering advice on grammar, punctuation, spelling and word usage; and

¤ interactive word games, providing hours of learning and fun.

The Concise Oxford Hachette French Dictionary provides lightning-quick access to over 175,000 words and phrases, with 270,000 translations, and covers all areas of the language in depth - from general to technical, business to literary.

The key features include:

¤ instant translations from Internet Explorer or Windows applications. Simply double-click a word on your Web page or in your chosen Windows application, such as Word, Excel or Outlook, and the translation is instantly displayed in a pop-up window;

¤ useful replace function. Writing a letter in French and can't think of the right word? Type in the English word, double-click on it, select the appropriate translation from the entry, then use the Replace function to copy it straight back into your letter;

¤ no fuss and no waiting. The dictionary automatically installs on your hard drive and runs in the background - ready for whenever you need it; and

¤ can be easily integrated with the Concise Oxford Duden German Dictionary, the Concise Oxford Spanish Dictionary, the New Oxford Thesaurus of English and the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations to create your own personal reference library.

The Oxford Duden German Dictionary gives you access to over 150,000 words and phrases, with 250,000 translations, while The Oxford Spanish Dictionary gives you access to over 170,000 words and phrases, with 240,000 translations, and covers vocabulary from IT and the Internet to business and the media. There are identical features to the Concise Oxford Hachette French Dictionary.

Next on any budding academic's list is the New Oxford Thesaurus of English, offering comprehensive, authoritative coverage of current English. Containing over 600,000 alternative and opposite words, this program will enrich your creative writing, essays or letters, or simply your enjoyment of the English language

The key features include:

¤ instant access from Internet Explorer or your Windows application;

¤ a useful Replace function. Writing a letter or essay and can't think of the right word? Type in a similar word, double-click on it, select the appropriate alternative from the entry, and then use the Replace function to swap it straight over into your work;

¤ from fossils to phobias, and actors to amphibians - over 450 lists provide information on a vast range of subjects; and

¤ compel or coerce, inherent or intrinsic? Over 150 notes help you make the right choice between easily confused words.

The Dictionary of Quotations (5th edition) will come in handy whether you are preparing a speech, researching an essay or simply looking to expand your conversational skills. Containing over 20,000 quotations from more than 3,000 authors, this collection provides a broad, up-to-date coverage of quotations drawn from every field of interest, from politics and science, to music, sport, and the arts.

As well as quotations from traditional sources, such as the Bible, English and European literature, plus improved coverage of world religions and classical Greek and Latin, this dictionary now covers areas such as proverbs and nursery rhymes.

While on a literary bent, there is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, an essential companion to English Literature studies. This is one of the most powerful reference and research tools available today.

Simply search by word, subject, phrase, date, century, era, country and category. Read and compare up to eight works side by side, making this an essential examination revision tool. Save money on individual collections of hardback books by using the print facility to print screens or entire works - 43 titles and 154 sonnets.

Then there's the Eingana Virtual 3d World Atlas, a two-cd set - the first live atlas with 3D and satellite images. With an intriguing combination of both Atlas and Video Adventure, you can step into the shoes of a great explorer and travel the world.

Eingana Virtual 3D World Atlas uses no fewer than eight databases: topography, imagery, meteorology, place names, fauna and flora, hydrographic networks and sea floors. Discover the realism of satellite images throughout the planet.

There are more than 100 species of animals (reptiles, mammals, endangered species, marsupials, tropical birds...) and some mythical creatures too.

Travel anywhere on the planet without restraint. Bookmark places of interest. Take snapshots of your favourite places and animals and include them in your photo album.

There are 23 demos featuring fly-throughs in realistic 3D video mode and a useful help screen on how to use the various icons. Your current position in the world is shown in latitude and longitude, and you can change the position of the sun and moon to view the planet at different times of the day.

Finally, there is the Interactive Bible Study Guide. This will transform the written Scriptures into an exciting, rewarding interactive experience through full-motion video, inspirational audio passages, stirring sound effects and vivid colour illustrations, maps, photos and biblical paintings.

Step into the pages of the complex King James Version of the Bible, covering every verse, chapter and book from Genesis to Revelations. Instantly access Barron's BookNotes Bible Study Guides while reading. Witness God's creation of heaven and earth.

The in-built search facility allows you to do studies that are almost impossible using a paper Bible, such as searching for every reference to "Son of Man" or "Jesus". Search for words, names, themes or use the Bible index feature and choose any book, chapter or verse instantly, for quick and easy referencing.

The Sunday Times computer software offer closes on September 14. Readers who wish to benefit can buy any one of these titles for Lm4.95 each or buy all nine titles for Lm40.50, or Lm4.50 each.

As usual, the filled in form in the advert below can be mailed to: Allied Newspapers Ltd, 341, St Paul Street, Valletta VLT 07, marking the envelope 'Computer Software Offer. Cheques must be made payable to Progress Press Co. Ltd.

You can collect your CD ROMS from the Publications Department on Castille Place, Valletta, from September 26 onwards. Opening times are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-4.30 p.m., from October 1), Monday to Friday.