I've always dreamed of filming an animated map of Europe that would let me watch as the countries rise, grow, shrink, merge, and disappear over the centuries. No need: Centennia has put it all on a floppy. I load it and then sit back to watch history unfold from AD 1000 to 1995, all as an animated cartoon.
Want to watch the Evil Empire fall? With a few clicks, zoom to the USSR in 1990. Then, using onscreen buttons as you would on a VCR, move forward, fast or slow, and watch it crumble like a cookie. For a bit of history, I ran the program in reverse and saw the nation shrink still further over the past three centuries. Gobbling up neighbors appears to have been a Russian pastime since at least the 17th century.
For more in-depth information, you can compare the maps for two different dates and even look up details of countries - events, historical figures, and the history of its people. Headlines or narration can explain what you're seeing; I found them distracting and turned them off.
Maps of Asia, the Americas, and elsewhere are also in the works.
Centennia: US$89 for DOS, Mac, and Windows; updates: $10, or free via the Web at www.clockwk.com. Clockwork Software Inc.: +1 (312) 281 3132.
STREET CRED
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Time Trippin'
