This review focuses on aspects of the software, not the quality of the dictionary content.

The software is fairly usable. When installed onto your hard drive (80 MB) it starts up in 4 seconds. You enter sufficient characters to identify the word and/or choose it from a filtered list. The entry (including stress and pronunciation symbols) is displayed typographically like the printed edition. Illustrations are not included with the entries. Any word in the definition can be double-clicked to jump to its definition. The software supports advanced searches and includes online help.

Anything supporting faster lookup would improve usability. This includes faster startup (nearly all of the startup time is spent in the splash screen). Since the program consumes 1--3 MB of RAM, it is reasonable to leave it running. Improved support for looking up words from other programs would be nice. The software includes macros to facilitate lookup from Microsoft Word and WordPerfect, but support for alt-clicking any word (à la GuruNet/Atomica) would be more useful.

The GUI isn't "polished": Background colors don't abide with your desktop color scheme, window size-position is not retained when restarting the program, old style WinHelp is used instead of the newer HTML-based help, etc. These are simply annoyances; the software is stable and bug-free.

The software is an improvement over the online dictionary available at Merriam-Webster's website in that you don't need to be connected to the Internet and that the dictionary is unabridged.

This is in response to the fellow who claims it to be a peice of junk. This is an excellent dictionary. I personally own the Random House dictionary (Unabridged) as well as the American Heritage dictionary and neither of these even come close to the breadth of information in this dictionary. It has many more entries defined and lot more usages explained. It has lots of obscure and interesting words you will not find defined in any other American dictionary besides probably the Websters 2nd international (1934) or Johnson's Dictionary. Granted that it is somewhat old (1961) and some of the definitions are a little outdated, but it's scholarship is unmatched by any other dictionary besides the great oxford English dictionary (20 volumes). If I were given the choice to own only 1 dictionary it would be this one. Hope this helps.

There are only two definitive English language dictionaries: Webster's Third (W3) and the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

The OED has the advantage of scholarship, prestige and preeminence: it is generally regarded as the gold standard in the definition of English words. It achieves this primarily by citing historical books and manuscripts, going back in many cases to the dark ages, when the language itself was evolving. Comprising some 22 volumes and requiring more than three feet of shelf space, it is an impressive addition to anyone's library, albeit at a high cost. It is available, again at high cost, on CD ROM.

W3 is a single volume about four inches wide. It offers a precise definition of every word you will ever encounter (450,000 are listed) except for slang and jargon, obsolete words, technical vocabularies and recent additions to the language. It is not above providing an occasional literary allusion. It defines the English language.

Suppose you want to look up the word "synecdoche." Which of the following scenarios do you prefer?

(1) Find volume 10 of the OED and learn that Wyclif (1338) defined it as "whanne a part is set for al, either al is set for oo par . . ."

(2) Start computer, find CD ROM, load CD ROM, go to OED, step through program, find information, unload CD ROM, turn off computer, file CD ROM, go back to what you were doing in the first place.

(3) Open W3 and read "a figure of speech by which a part is put for a whole (as fifty sail for fifty ships) . . ."

W3 is THE dictionary. It belongs in everyone's home. At the listed price it is an incredible bargain. Highly recommended.