How to Buy Computer Software

These days, almost all new major-brand computers come with a software bundle that can handle most people's basic needs. If you buy a bare-bones machine, you may find yourself spending a lot of time and money to properly equip it. Here's how you can get started.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Collect your computer's vital statistics. You should know the operating system, the amount of random-access memory (RAM), and the available hard-disk space before you shop. Knowing whether it's Windows or Mac OS isn't enough; you need the operating system version number (Windows 98, 2000, Me or XP; Mac OS 8.x, 9.x or OS X). To locate this information:

2. In Windows XP, click on Start, then Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance, then System.

3. In other versions of Windows, double-click on My Computer, then double-click on Control Panel, then double-click on System. You may need to click on the Performance tab.

4. In Mac OS X, open the Applications folder, double-click on the Utilities folder, then double-click on Apple System Profiler.

5. In Mac OS 9 or earlier, select the Apple System Profiler (usually found in the Apple menu).

6. Think about what kind of work you want to do. Software applications are organized into broad categories by retailers:

7. Office applications (sometimes called productivity software) are for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations. Most new computers come with some sort of office software. Whatever you choose, make sure it works with industry standards Microsoft Word and Excel.

8. Internet applications include Web browsers and e-mail, and come with most computers. E-mail software is sometimes called "communications."

9. Personal finance software includes money-management and tax-preparation tools. Make sure these will work with your financial institution's online banking systems.

10. Utilities include virus protection, Internet firewall, backup and recovery, and disk-management software. Every computer should have current virus protection, and computers on a broadband Internet connection should have a firewall.

11. Graphics and multimedia applications include digital photo manipulation, drawing, video editing and sound. These often demand huge amounts of available disk space and memory.

12. Entertainment software refers to games. Most run best with graphics or sound cards; some require external controllers such as joysticks. See How to Buy Video and Computer Games.

13. Educational software includes typing tutors, language instruction, and math and reading learning programs for children.

14. Reference software includes atlases, dictionaries and encyclopedias.

15. Development applications are for advanced users and programmers who want to create their own software.

16. Learn about which specific software will best serve your needs by talking with friends and colleagues, and reading reviews. Read software reviews on ZDNet.com and Cnet.com and in Macworld and PC World.

17. As you narrow your choices, compare the system requirements of the software with the information you collected in Step 1. In stores, look for the system requirements on the package. Catalogs and online stores list requirements with the product description. Make sure your system can handle the application.

18. Find out what the current version of the software is. If a newer version exists (or is expected soon), make sure that the version you buy can be upgraded to the most current version for free. Updates and patches can be costly.

19. Find out what technical support comes with the software. The options vary greatly, from free lifetime support to per-minute charges for telephone help. Most software companies are moving toward self-service Web-based support, so visit the manufacturer's Web site to see if it seems helpful and complete.

20. Look for a free trial version, found at the software company's Web site, if you can't decide between two products. Some trial versions quit working after a set time period; others lack some basic functionality (such as the ability to save or print work). Most can be upgraded to full versions online for a fee. Many computers come loaded with trial versions of popular software.

21. Purchase packaged software if you like having a printed manual and an installer disc you can file away. (Make sure that the package actually contains a printed manual; they're often on the disc.) Buy software online and download it if you have a broadband Internet connection and need to use the software right away. This can be done from manufacturers' Web sites.

22. Spend little or nothing on freeware (no-cost software) and shareware (low-cost software purchased on the honor system). Many of these products, as well as trial versions of commercial software, are available at Tucows.com, VersionTracker.com and Download.com.

Tips & Warnings

• Students can get discounts on many software products at their college bookstore.
• Wondering what the difference is between software programs, and applications? Some tech-industry people say that the software includes operating systems, but applications do not.
• Note that some software programs can cause conflicts with others; ask manufacturers or read online reviews to learn if you have these.
• Some companies create "home" and "professional" versions of the same software. Find out what the difference is, and whether you need the more expensive pro version.
• Software is licensed, not purchased. It's illegal to borrow a CD-ROM from a friend and install his or her software on your computer.