What happened to Encarta? The digital encyclopedia that helped an entire generation of students in the 90s

This manual of knowledge was updated from its first edition in 1993 until its last release in 2009. During those years, Encarta underwent an evolution that went hand in hand with the computer advances of the time: insertion of audios, videos, games… . It was available on DVD-ROM or multiple CD-ROMs and also had limited availability, with advertising, to web content.with an annual subscription to access more content.

This Microsoft work included three extra applications: “My first Encarta” (for children), “Encarta Dictionary” and “Microsoft Mathematics.” The latter is still valid from the Windows Downloader site, with the appearance of Windows 7 and with compatibility.

The arrival of the Internet and 'encyclopedic' pages at the level of Wikipedia were the trigger for the end of a unique work that captivated millions of students around the world. This work came to compete directly against the “Encyclopedia Britannica”, the great work of ancient and contemporary knowledge that had been the reference reference. until the arrival of this work from Bill Gates' company.

In addition, the latest versions had interactive games that managed to attract a generation of children interested in computing and that gave rise to a form of teaching digital compared to the tradition that had been carried out until now.

In 2009, sad news arrived for the followers of this program: Microsoft announced the end of development of the Encarta. A full stop that became a metaphor for what the new digital era held for future programmers and companies: a program, no matter how good it is and how well it works, may not last forever if it does not adapt to the new times. .