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The first edition of Periodic Table Live! (PTL)
combined on a single CD-ROM the digital video from the
Periodic Table CD (1) with the graphical and descriptive databases
of the elements from the Illustrated Periodic Table
(2) and Chemistry Navigator (3) to form a unified,
easy-to-use, dynamic tour of the periodic table. This second edition continues the
evolution by transforming PTL into an HTML-based presentation. This has
allowed us to unify the presentation and content for both Windows
and Macintosh. The result is a stimulating interactive journey through the
periodic table suitable for students at all levels of chemistry, most especially
in courses focusing on introductory, inorganic, and solid state chemistry.
Combined Content
The content from the Illustrated
Periodic Table and Chemistry Navigator has been combined
in this second edition of PTL! Now you no longer have to
worry whether your students using Macintoshes are getting the
same information as those using Windows. Both the content
and the features are identical across both platforms.
Recompressed Video
All of the video from the first edition has been
redigitized from the original master tapes, re-edited, and compressed
using the latest QuickTime 3 technology. This has
resulted in higher quality digital video with at the same time smaller file sizes. The
tradeoff is that only the latest hardware will be
able to take advantage of the high quality video (see the recommended
hardware requirements in Table 1). For those without the latest hardware, a
lower quality version of the video is also included.
Missing Pieces
Unfortunately, moving to an
HTML-based format has its tradeoffs. The interactive graphing module that was present in
the first edition using Excel is not present in this
version. Instead charts of each numeric property
versus atomic number are available via the Chart tab. An
Excel spreadsheet of the data presented in Periodic Table Live!
is available and can be used in Excel to create other types
of graphs.
The ability to search among the elements for a word
or phrase is also not available. We have already begun to
explore ways to implement both the interactive graphing
and searching features and hope to make these available in
future updates.
This Periodic Table Live! page shows a descriptive hypertext
about sulfur along with a video clip of sulfur burning in air.
Sodium is shown reacting with acids along side a table of its
atomic-scale properties.
Program Design
Navigation among the elements is never farther
away than the periodic table at the upper left of the page
(previous page). A mouse click on any symbol in the table
takes one to the screen for that element. The right side of the
page contains hypertext and numeric data. The tabs at the top
determine the type of information displayed.
Numerical data is divided into Physical
(macroscopic) and Atomic properties. Each property name is linked to
its definition and a reference to the source of the data.
Graphs as a function of atomic number are available for all
numeric properties.
Tabs at the top of the page provide access to other
features. The Video tab provides access to the reactions of
the elements. The Crystal tab presents a three-dimensional
computer-generated drawing of the solid-state structure of
the element along with a description of the structure, often
including links to other representations of the structure.
The Chart tab brings up a new browser window where a
property can be selected that is then graphed versus atomic
number. The Glossary tab opens up a new browser window
with a glossary of terms.
Chart of boiling point vs. atomic number, produced using the
Chart tab.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Periodic Table Live! has been tested
under Windows 95 with Microsoft Internet Explorer v.
4.0 and Netscape Navigator v. 4.0.6 and on the Macintosh
with Netscape Navigator v. 4.0.8 and v 4.5 and Microsoft
Internet Explorer v. 4.0.1 and 4.5.
Licensing
With its new HTML format, Periodic Table Live! is
now much easier to deploy in networked environments. The new
video requires much less bandwidth to deliver and
WWW servers have become nearly ubiquitous. However, if you
would like to use Periodic Table Live! in a networked
environment, you must get a special license to do so. Such licenses are
available on a per student per year basis. Please contact JCE
Software for more information. The pricing given on the
accompanying order form is for a single-user license.
Literature Cited
1. Banks, A. J.; Holmes, J. L. The Periodic Table CD-ROM;
J. Chem. Educ. Software, 1995, SP
10.
2. Kotz, J. C.; Young, S. Chemistry Navigator;
J. Chem. Educ. Software, 1994, 6C, No.2.
3. Schatz, P. F., Moore, J. W.; Holmes, J. L.; Kotz, J. C.
The Illustrated Periodic Table; J. Chem. Educ.
Software, 1995, 2D, Number 2.
Ordering and Information
JCE Software is a publication of the
Journal of Chemical Education. There is an order form inserted in this issue that
provides prices and other ordering information. If this card is not available or if you need additional information, contact:
JCE Software, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1396 phone: 608/262-5153 or 800/991-5534
fax: 608/265-8094; email: jcesoft@chem.wisc.edu
Information about all of our publications (including abstracts, descriptions, updates) is available from our World Wide Web site.
http://JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/
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For journals in other fields of chemistry visit ACS Publications.
Citation
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