Whether you use your computer for business or fun, you depend on software to be there when you need it. From word processing and database management to marketing, billing and accounting, the software in your computer keeps your business working.
Programs for games, fixing your photos and making cards or other printables for home and family are the hidden helpers that go to work when you turn on your PC. Educational software for kids and for adults can turn your computer into an online tutor to help with algebra or learning a foreign language.
Where do you get computer software?
Many computers come "loaded" with what most people will need when you buy the PC. That's fine, but what if you need something that isn't included in your system when you bring it home? You can go shopping in you local computer store or you can shop online for programs designed to do what you need to get done.
What software programs are available online?
The software applications you can find online cover the full range of anything you could ask from your computer... and probably more than you will ever need. You can find fully developed, downloadable "boxed sets" of the same software that the stores stock or you can look at "open source" programs that geeks have been working on for years.
Prices vary and so does the ability of the software product to deliver on what it promises. You need to do a little research before you start to download any product just to find out if it will deliver the functions you need.
All computer software programs are not equal
There are plenty of sites online that offer software. The problem is finding out which are the programs you want... and which ones will have you swearing, crying and wishing you'd backed up everything before you started downloading your new tool.
Learn the difference between legal, licensed, freeware, shareware, trial and demo versions of software packages, OEM copies and counterfeit or illegal copies. Understand the benefits and liabilities of each of these forms of software.
Find the best matching software products for your business, educational and personal use, together with the latest news and reviews, plus the best sites for downloading freeware and shareware
...and always, always, always...backup before you start to install any new program!
Programs for games, fixing your photos and making cards or other printables for home and family are the hidden helpers that go to work when you turn on your PC. Educational software for kids and for adults can turn your computer into an online tutor to help with algebra or learning a foreign language.
Where do you get computer software?
Many computers come "loaded" with what most people will need when you buy the PC. That's fine, but what if you need something that isn't included in your system when you bring it home? You can go shopping in you local computer store or you can shop online for programs designed to do what you need to get done.
What software programs are available online?
The software applications you can find online cover the full range of anything you could ask from your computer... and probably more than you will ever need. You can find fully developed, downloadable "boxed sets" of the same software that the stores stock or you can look at "open source" programs that geeks have been working on for years.
Prices vary and so does the ability of the software product to deliver on what it promises. You need to do a little research before you start to download any product just to find out if it will deliver the functions you need.
All computer software programs are not equal
There are plenty of sites online that offer software. The problem is finding out which are the programs you want... and which ones will have you swearing, crying and wishing you'd backed up everything before you started downloading your new tool.
Learn the difference between legal, licensed, freeware, shareware, trial and demo versions of software packages, OEM copies and counterfeit or illegal copies. Understand the benefits and liabilities of each of these forms of software.
Find the best matching software products for your business, educational and personal use, together with the latest news and reviews, plus the best sites for downloading freeware and shareware
...and always, always, always...backup before you start to install any new program!
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