Product Description

Thinkmap's Visual Thesaurus is a new type of interactive dictionary and thesaurus. It's sure to help anyone, from a young student to an experienced professional, improve their vocabulary while having a good time. You'll write more descriptively and find the right word while gaining a more precise understanding of the English language. Ace the SATs, spice up your PowerPoint, name your company, and more. With over 145,000 words and 115,000 meanings, the Visual Thesaurus helps you find words through their semantic relationships. Hear correct word pronunciations, both British and American

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1551 in Software
• Brand: CSDC
• Model: VT3BOXNC
• Released on: 2006-10-20
• Platforms: Windows NT, Macintosh, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 95, Windows 98
• Format: CD-ROM
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds

Features

• Interactive dictionary and thesaurus with helpful word maps
• Rotate word maps in 3 dimensions to reveal complex relationships
• Over 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings
• Intuitive interface; explore 39,000 proper nouns; check spelling
• Hear both American and British pronunciations

From the Manufacturer
The Visual Thesaurus is an interactive dictionary and thesaurus that creates word maps that blossom with meanings and branch to related words. Its innovative display encourages exploration and learning. You'll understand language in a powerful new way.

Say you have a meaning in mind, like "happy." The VT helps you find related words, from "cheerful" to "euphoric." The best part is the VT works like your brain, not a paper-bound book. You'll want to explore just to see what might happen. You'll discover--and learn--naturally and intuitively. You'll find the right word, write more descriptively, free associate--and gain a more precise understanding of the English language.

With the Visual Thesaurus, you can:

• Find the right word. The VT has over 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings. Find the word you need and discover related meanings.
• Develop a better vocabulary. See how words are used in different parts of speech.
• Use words precisely. The intuitive interface helps you find words through their semantic relationship with other words and meanings.
• Master word usage. Roll over a meaning to see its definition and example sentences that express that meaning.
• Improve your grammar. Meanings are color-coded to indicate parts of speech.
• Explore 39,000 proper nouns. Historical figures, phrases, and trademarks are included. Look up Mozart, Manda, or simply, "M."
• Check your spelling. The VT suggests a word if you spell it wrong.
• Hear words pronounced correctly. The VT offers both American and British pronunciations (Internet connection necessary)
• Personalize your experience. Use the Settings Panel to control font size, filter content, display up to 17 semantic relationships, and more.
• Browse language in 2D or 3D. Rotate word maps in three dimensions to reveal complex relationships.
• Connect to the Internet. Right-click on any word to launch an Internet search for images or information.

Customer Reviews

An Amazing Resource
This is one of those tools that I never knew I needed until I had it. I write constantly and often search (wander, cast, roam) about for a word that says exactly what I mean. I have no less than 5 other powerful software dictionaries and/or thesauri--none comes close to VT. This tool allows me to quickly and painlessly brachiate across my dendriform lexicon and infallibly coming to rest on the very word I need!

I consider this an indespensible aid for upwardly mobile authors, marketting professionals, public speakers, teachers and students.

Little more than a poorly implemented gimmick
I ordered this with an open mind and a genuine desire to use this product. Regrettably however, I must say that this application is, at best, a poor implementation of an interesting concept. If it were less expensive it might be an amusing novelty but I cannot, in good conscience, recommend it to you at the price that they are asking for it. Here is why:

The interface is clunky and a distraction from the real work at hand. The nonstandard interface is not the least bit intuitive and the amount and quality of the information provided is not relative in value to the time wasted to achieve it.

I found a product named Ultralingua that is fast, easy to understand and lets me find what I am looking for quickly and get back to the business at hand: writing. Take a look at it. You might find it to be useful.

Great for word geeks!
If you love words, sit at a computer most of time and would rather read a screen than a book, you'll love this software. Truly, this is for the visually motivated word geeks. It's compatible with Windows and Mac. I use both and I've loaded Visual Thesaurus on all computers that I use. Settings are customizable. You can print exactly what you see on the screen. I like using the thesaurus in place of a dictionary in order to expand my vocabulary.