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Encarta Encyclopedia was launched by Microsoft in 1993. The journey of Encarta from 1993 to 2009 was very enriching. Contents and features were continuously enhanced in every subsequent launch. Encarta became one of the most popular encyclopedias.
I guess, the popularity of Wikipedia may be related to the decision of Microsoft to discontinue Encarta. Encarta and Wikipedia are fundamentally different. The content on Wikipedia is user generated and thus results in incorrect information in many occasions. The dictionary of Encarta became very reliable source for word meanings and thesaurus. Though Encarta was not free, it became very popular among students. And the students may be the greatest losers due to the decision of Microsoft to discontinue Microsoft Encarta.
Microsoft has ceased to sell Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products worldwide from June 2009. MSN Encarta worldwide(except Japan) web sites would be closed from 31-October-2009. And MSN Encarta Japan would be closed from 31-December-2009. All premium subscribers will get their subscription fees refunded beyond 31-April-2009.