Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia 99 is many steps ahead of Encarta 98, and better than many electronic encyclopaedias that are around now, like Brittanica 2002.
One very good feature of Encarta is the Mindmaze. It asks you questions and if you get them right you advance onto the next stage.
Some of the information is old, but what do you expect when it gets older. It is much more stylish than 98, and has alot more information on it. Another fun feature is the Interactivities. They are interactive and give you a challenge while learning as well. There are so many different types of articles. There are the normal text, and there are Animations, Pictures, Movies, 360 Degree images, Sounds, Tables, Collages and Maps.
Another feature better than 98 is the multimedia menu for each article. With just 1 click you have access to all of the multimedia for that article. Also there are related articles and Internet sections for all articles.
Microsoft Encarta 99 is a fun and easy to use Encyclopaedia that caters for young and old alike.