February 1, 2012

Choosing the right software can be a daunting task.  There are a lot of options out there, which makes the decision process very difficult.

First, decide what it is that you want to accomplish.  Give some consideration to what features are most important for your application.  Take some time researching all the available software, and don't forget to check out a lot of free software on the market.  Free software is called open source software.  These programs are usually created by a number of individuals who enjoy writing software and have collaborated in developing the finished product.  A good example of this is Open Office. This software has been around for years and is constantly being updated.  It is an alternative to Microsoft Office and not only mimics Office, but will save and open Office files.

Some free programs are created by companies or individuals who sell a more robust version, but have a free version to tempt you to purchase the full blown version.  In many cases, such as AVG Antivirus and Zone Alarm, they have excellent software in the free versions and it may not be to your benefit to have the "pay for" version.

As far as graphics editing programs, what I've found in the past is that most of the software doesn't have every feature I want or need, so I use more than one program, depending on what I am doing at the time.  Again, there are a lot of free alternatives.

People tend to be afraid of using free software.  Whether it is concern of the software having viruses, or for whatever reason, don't worry about those types of issues.  While you can always find an expensive software program to do a job, it doesn't necessarily mean it's better.  In fact, some of the most expensive software, like image editing software can be very difficult to learn and still not be able to do the things you want to do.

Another thing to keep in mind regarding the purchased software is that many companies like Microsoft, Adobe, etc. have their software activation such that it can only be installed on one computer, so if you have a desktop and a laptop, you more than likely will have to purchase on software package for each computer.

Take some time to evaluate all the alternatives.  It doesn't cost anything to download and try out the free software.  If you decide you want something different you can uninstall the program and try something else.  All I'm saying is that there are many things to consider, so once you know what type of software you're looking for, do a search and check out what's available.