| Do you want to get quality software at a reasonable | | | | 8. Find out how often the company provides updates |
| price? Whether you work at home or just need good | | | | to their software. Check out the cost for getting the |
| software for your personal computer, you are faced | | | | updates. For example, many companies will include |
| with an almost endless selection of computer | | | | updates for a specific period of time with the purchase |
| software. Sorting through the options can sometimes | | | | price of the software. Companies that actively listen to |
| be a major task. However, if you want to get good, | | | | their users update their software. If a computer |
| quality software there are several things that you can | | | | program has not been updated for a long time, you |
| do that will save you money and headaches. | | | | probably won't get further updates. |
| With the arrival of online marketing, you have more | | | | 9. If you get a "Freeware" software program, you |
| choices than ever. There are a large number of | | | | need to know four things: |
| reputable software companies that sell software at | | | | First, freeware is a software program that does not |
| significant savings. With a little homework and thought | | | | cost you any money. That means you will not be able |
| on your part, you can get good quality software that | | | | to receive support from the author. You are basically |
| will accomplish your specific task. | | | | on your own. Sometimes that is good. However, if you |
| In order to save both time and money on computer | | | | have a time sensitive task and run into a software |
| software, here is a list of twelve things you should do. | | | | problem, free software may not be your best option. If |
| 1. First, make sure you know as closely as possible the | | | | you miss a deadline and have to pay a penalty of |
| exact task you want your software to accomplish. | | | | some type, that free software isn't so cheap after all. |
| The more specific you are the better. For example, do | | | | Second, many times freeware is an "introductory" |
| you want a very general word processing program to | | | | version of a program. That means you may still have |
| write occasional letters or a more sophisticated word | | | | to pay for the "complete" program or the ability to use |
| processing software program to run the marketing for | | | | all the program options. |
| your business? | | | | Third, if there is no charge for a program, the program |
| 2. Check out the minimum requirements necessary to | | | | may include software options that gather information |
| run the software. You want to make sure it will run on | | | | about you, your computer, your surfing habits, etc. and |
| your computer equipment. You should find out how | | | | then return this information to the company via the |
| much memory the program takes, what operating | | | | Internet. This is sometimes referred to as "Spyware" |
| systems it will run on and how much disk space is | | | | and can cause some real problems with your |
| required. Is there any other computer accessory | | | | computer. When you use a program to eliminate the |
| required to use the software? | | | | spyware on your computer, your "free" software |
| 3. Talk to friends and associates that have used the | | | | program may no longer work. |
| specific type of software you're searching for. Ask | | | | Finally, if you are fairly computer literate, have no |
| them where they got the software, how much they | | | | specific deadlines and know that a freeware program |
| paid, how long they've used the program, what type of | | | | does not contain spyware, then, a freeware computer |
| guarantee came with the program, etc. If you have a | | | | program can be a great bargain. |
| task, which involves a deadline, like a payroll program, | | | | 10. If you get a "Shareware" software program you |
| ask them how they were able to get answers to their | | | | need to know three things: First, shareware is a |
| questions and how long did it take. | | | | software program that lets you try it out before you |
| 4. Search the Internet for reviews on the software. | | | | buy it. The author is "sharing" the program with you. If |
| Look at user groups or bulletin boards to see what | | | | the computer shareware program does what you |
| users are saying about the software. For example, if | | | | want it to do, then the author expects you to pay for it. |
| you're looking at the QuickBooks business program, | | | | Many shareware programs allow you to use the |
| type in "QuickBooks Software Review" to locate | | | | program for a set period of time. After that period of |
| review information about the program. | | | | time, the program (or at least some of the program |
| 5. You should always test the software program | | | | options) will not continue to work. Don't make the |
| before you purchase it. Many reputable companies will | | | | mistake of entering a lot of important data and then |
| allow you to download their software and test it out | | | | decide you "don't want to pay" for the program. You |
| before you buy. Take advantage of the opportunity to | | | | could be left high and dry. |
| test the program. Enter some data, print some reports, | | | | Finally, some shareware programs will continue to |
| and give the program a real workout. Try as many | | | | operate regardless of how long you use them. If you |
| options as possible. Don't always follow set | | | | come to rely on a shareware computer program, it is |
| procedures. Try to experiment on your own. You want | | | | wise to pay the author the nominal fee they usually |
| to know what the software does in a real world | | | | request. This will help the author continue to develop |
| setting. You want to know what happens when you | | | | and enhance the program. Besides, you'll probably get |
| make a mistake. | | | | support and help from the author if you need it. |
| 6. If the software provides support, you should think of | | | | 11. Beware of companies that send you unsolicited |
| a question about the program that may not be too | | | | emails offering "name brand" computer software at |
| obvious and ask support for help. You're much better | | | | huge discounts. These are often overseas companies |
| off to try out support before you truly need help than | | | | selling "illegal" software. You will not get support, but |
| to wait until you're in a "must have help" situation. See | | | | you could get a letter from the company's lawyer |
| how long it takes to get an answer. Check out how | | | | telling you that you're using a pirated copy of their |
| clear the response is. Ask yourself, "Did this completely | | | | software. Some people have even reported giving |
| resolve the problem for me?" | | | | their credit card information to purchase these "great |
| 7. Check out the software warranty and company | | | | bargains" only to learn weeks later, they had paid for |
| guarantees. A software company that stands behind | | | | software they never got. |
| their program will usually guarantee their products for a | | | | 12. Last but not least, always order your computer |
| specific period of time. You should get at least a | | | | software from a reputable online company. You'll |
| 30-day money back guarantee after purchasing the | | | | experience the best service, the best warranty and |
| product. A 90-180 day guarantee is better. Usually, the | | | | the best computer products available. |
| longer the product warranty, the better the software. | | | | |