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Conference smurf::civil_war

Title:The American Civil War
Notice:Please read all replies 1.* before writing here.
Moderator:SMURF::BINDER
Created:Mon Jul 15 1991
Last Modified:Tue Apr 08 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:141
Total number of notes:2129

119.0. "CD-ROMs about the ACW" by SMURF::BINDER (Omnia tibi dicta non crede) Thu Mar 17 1994 12:51

    I've been looking at the catalog descriptions of a couple of CD-ROM
    offerings related to the ACW.  One is "Twelve Roads to Gettysburg,"
    devoted entirely to the Battle, and the other is an overall view of the
    War - I don't remember its name.  Has anyone used either of these
    discs or any others about the ACW?  Any comments?
    
    -dick
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119.1TWELVE ROADS...BRIEF REVIEWSALEM::ALIZIOMon Apr 04 1994 16:2644
    
    I bought the "Twelve Roads to Gettysburg" CD-ROM for my son as an
    Easter gift.  He's a high school Junior and is very interested in
    history, particularly of the ACW.
    
    I watched for a short while as he used this yesterday.  From what I
    observed there were menu choices for each of the three days' battles.
    And you had a choice of either an overview or strategic mode.  The
    overview showed a map of Gettysburg.  Superimposed on the map were
    red and blue lines representing various Northern and Southern units.
    And red or blue arrows tracing the movements of these units. 
    Accompanying that was a brief text with vocal narration.
    
    In the strategic mode you got a much more detailed account.  As the
    narration and text proceeded the map showed the various unit names,
    along with their commanding officer.  When the text narrator mentioned
    a certain commander, their picture would pop up.  At various junctures
    the main map would get replaced with a blowup of a certain sector.
    Then, even more detail was given about specific unit movements and
    engagements.
    
    I only watched for about 30 minutes so I can't give a very complete
    review.  Nor can I verify the historical accuracy of what was
    presented.  I believe a man named John Hawkes oversaw the production
    of this CD-ROM.  There is a very short blurb on the inside folds of
    the document that fits inside the cover of the jewel case.  It tells
    a bit about Mr. Hawkes' background.  Then a Marketing type description
    of what's on the CD-ROM.  Not much else besides the installation
    instructions.
    
    There are also Main menu choices for the history of Gettysburg National 
    Park, Gettysburg Today, The Eisenhower Homestead, and Weapons.  I think
    that's about it.
    
    I'd say if you're interested in Gettysburg's history then you can't go 
    wrong for $15.  At least that's what I paid in Salem NH at a place called 
    CD-ROMS PLUS.  It is run by an ex-Deccie.  And he gives Digital employees
    discounts off what are generally lower than average prices. 
    
    I went in there looking for USA CIVIL WARS.  But he was stocked out.
    He was getting $21 for that one.  I know I've seen it priced quite
    a bit higher in various magazines ads.