- The Good
Very good dictionary with easy to understand definitions and examples. I have done extensive research and found no comparable American dictionary for foreign speakers. The Longman linguists have done remarkable job.
The software is very good in function - automatically translates words in Internet Explorer as your mouse pointer hovers over them. Surprisingly well identifies phrasal verbs even when separated by other words.
- The Bad
1. You can Not make a copy of the CD for your own backup (C-Dilla copy protection)
And
2. You are asked to insert the CD in the drive at least once a month to verify your ownership of the original CD (a surprise check). I do not want to carry the only copy of the CD with me on the road waiting for the software to ask for it any moment. In fact I am unable to use it right now because the CD is at home.
3. You have to buy the Paper + CD bundle. This is how I ended up with two paper dictionaries.
4. Last but not least - the software visual interface is unintuitive. For example the minimize button is on the bottom of the window. All Longman Dictionaries have weird window layouts. Hey, software guys working for Longman, irritating me every time I search for common buttons is not the way to show how innovative you are.
The other good American English PC dictionary is the Random House Unabridged Dictionary. It is a shame that their 2003 CD is actually a re-release of the 1999 edition.

I bought this dictionary in 2002. I had to choose an English-English dictionary among English dictionaries: Longman, Oxford, Cambridge, Macmillan, Collins Cobuild... etc. I chose a dictionary, Longman Advanced Dictionary(CD-ROM included, Paperback). As I opened the dictionary, I was surprised! The layout was clear and systematic! And Usage Notes are most useful for me! And meanings of words are so easy to understand because Longman editors tried to explain meanings within 2000 common words. Although it is edited for ESL learners, but it might be good for upper-intermediate or higher-level EFL learners.
The dictionary faithfully reflects American English(spelling, pronunciation, spoken phrase) than other dictionaries. CD-ROM pronunces words nearly typical American English.
...) and this dictionary is for advanced learners, this dictionary is not difficult for me to understand meanings of words. Perhaps, Longman dictionaries explain meanings of word more easily.
I highly recommend it...
Anyway, Longman dictionaries are the best for me!

Bridget O'Brien was so human that I expected her to come over for tea! In this novel, a woman named Bridget O'Brien is a widow with two children that is compelled to marry a complete stranger and to live on Scotland Road with her middle-aged husband, Sam Bell, and his two sons, Anthony and Liam. This entire book is all about a woman's strength to survive in a harsh world and to find happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed this story because of its entertaining dialogue, rich characters, and wonderful setting.

This book should be at the top of every health professional's list. Many patients who suffer with intractable pain -- whether from AIDS or scoliosis -- will find it heartening and hope-inspiring. It clears up preconceptions and myths which are ubiquitous and extremely damaging to patients. It tackles head- on one of the oft-voiced Gut Fears in Prescribing, that of "turning the patient into an addict." Concisely yet comprehensively, it pioneers largely uncharted territory ranging from pain that is never adequately treated becaused it is classified as "nonmalignant" to that old bugaboo, "substance abuse." (A major point made under the latter heading is that people with substance abuse problems or drug dependency can still suffer pain!)

While providing a high-level discussion of the many different options available to clinicians treating pain, this volume is especially stellar in its treatment of narcotic therapy for chronic pain. Along the way, it answers questions that may never have been asked but should have been, such as "Why does my patient who says he's in pain look as if he isn't feeling anything?" (Answer: This is a hallmark of chronic pain, the chronic suppression of reactivity to pain.)

This volume is not a pharmacology treatise wafting about in the theoretical realms of academia. It is a report from the trenches. It tells real people how to deal with real pain, whether they are parents of toddlers or friends of seniors; whether they are health professionals, sufferers of pain, or both. Don't miss this one! -- It is a pragmagtically useful, exceptionally informative, all-round wonderful book.

From the Mona Lisa to Mondrian's work, this knitting book contains patterns for sweaters with great works of art on the front. What a change from the typical knitting pattern book--and the instructions are clear. I consider this the best knitting book I've found.

"The Shiniest Rock of All" is a heartwarming story of young Robert Reynolds who has a lot of troubles for a common 4th grader, but the amazing thing about this book is how we can all relate to Robert, this book will show anyone of any age, that if they bring out the Robert in themselves they can overcome any obstacle large or small. This book has recently been made into a play by the wonderful talent at Mill Mountain Theatre, and in part by Nancy Ruth Patterson (the author). I have had the wonderful oppurtunity to play the role of "Mike", Robert's best friend and one of the members in Robert's club. As this book has become a play, I have found the Robert in myself...and I can now "Face the Monsters, and Battle the Dragons" as one of the songs says in the play. If you have a child in your life, who is important to you...this book will become important to your child, and it will teach them a little about life, and a lot about themselves.

The author misinterprets her own data. I'm certain she must be an adopter who resents the possibility of renion between her adoptee and his/her mother. This book was obviously biased and extremely flawed.

I thought this book worked towards a goal of making the adoptees real mothers (and fathers) seem unimportant. The whole book seems to be prejudiced in favor of an adopters needs to replace and exclude the childs parents completely. This message came through loud and clear and in direct opposition to much of her own data.