Where the melting pot began. A virtual trip through Ellis Island. I'm Fred Fishkin with Bootcamp, a ThirdAge.com report on computers and technology. Millions of people are using their computers today to trace their family roots. But what was it like emigrating at the turn of the century for our grandparents or great-grandparents. A new CD ROM from SouthPeak Interactive and The History Channel brings the experience to life. The Ellis Island Experience... (sound)

"They came from villages and cities in the heat of the day and in the cover of night. The world's huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

The CD ROM includes more than two hours of video... hundreds of historical documents and photos and a timeline of American immigration. But, says associate producer Stefani Barbero... the personal stories are the most compelling of all...

"There's a project called The Ellis Island Oral History Project and what they've done is they've gone around and they've found people who immigrated through Ellis Island and they've taped interviews with them about their experiences. And we've got excerpts from those interviews throughout the product."

And the software lets you virtually experience the immigration process for yourself..

"They may be faced with a question from an official and depending on how they answer it, that may decide the immigrant's fate."

The price, under 40 dollars. You can find more info at SouthPeak.com. You can find us at Bootcamp.com. Bootcamp, I'm Fred Fishkin for CBS News.