Reviewed by Michael Shalev
Department of Sociology
Hebrew University

Biblioscape is a feature-rich, innovative application for managing and publishing bibliographies. Version 3, released in November 1998, is available in three formats: a freeware core; a standard edition that adds integration with word processors and can import directly from databases on the web; and a professional edition with web publishing capabilities. Biblioscape's most noteworthy feature is its simple and effective tools (available only in the professional edition) for publishing bibliographical databases on the web direct from the user's PC. The program also boasts a built-in spell-checker (which is customizable and can share Word user dictionaries), a rich array of sophisticated yet user-friendly search tools, and the ability to link bibliographical records to complex documents (including the full text of articles).

All this comes at a price, however. First, Biblioscape is a Wintel-only application (although this is partially compensated by its ability to share data via the web). Second, although it has already evolved to Version 3, the program is best characterized as being in an advanced beta stage. The developer is industrious and responsive and the incidence of bugs and erratic behavior has been steadily diminishing, but many remain. In addition, the online help offers incomplete coverage of the program's many features, and the manual presently available merely recapitulates the online help.

System Requirements:
80486 or better (Pentium recommended); 8 MB RAM (16 recommended); at least 20 MB free on hard disk; 3.5" diskette drive; mouse.

Version:
Latest: 3.0
Reviewed: 3.0

Availability:
Different versions are priced from $0.00 to $399; education discounts and competitive upgrades are available.

Demo:
Demos are available via the demo page.

Screen Capture:
For screen shots, see the images collected at Biblioscape's site.