How to select the right software

Whether you just purchased a new computer or are looking to update your current system, picking out the right software for the job can be an intimidating task! Armed with the right information, however, you will be able to find the right software for your needs and will be well on your way to achieving your computing goals.

Determining your operating system

The first step in choosing the right software is to make sure that you know what operating system your computer is currently running. The operating system is what manages your computer and allows it to run the software you need. When you first start the computer up and see your desktop and menu bars – that is the graphical interface for your operating system. Most modern computers come with some variant of Microsoft’s Windows or Apple’s OS. There are several versions of Windows, including XP and Vista.

Some Microsoft Windows Applications

If you run an Apple computer then you are likely using Apple’s OS X. To determine the version your operating system, look for a sticker on the computer case which may identify one of the above variants. If you find none, you can always use one of the following methods: You are in a Windows system if there’s a “Start” button in the bottom left corner of your screen; you’re in OS X if there’s an Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen. And if, by chance, you run Linux – then you will surely know what operation system you are using!

Some Apple Computers

Case use

Next you need to decide what kind of software you are looking for. The key to choosing the right software is to ask yourself the following question: “What do I want to do?” Do you need a program to help you type up that novel of yours or maybe something to keep track of the household expenses? Software like that typically comes in a large package, such as Microsoft Office and it usually includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software. If you are into multimedia, such as pictures and videos, then there is plenty of software out there for you. There are programs that allow you to do video editing, picture editing and even make your own DVDs!

Some Microsoft Office Options

There is also an endless amount of games available for computers. Do you want to fight dragons and save princesses? Or maybe race cars through the city? Computer games are available to satisfy all of your entertainment needs. Be careful if you’re a parent, though! The Entertainment Software Rating Board helps you make ethical decision about what games you should buy for your children by rating the titles.

Some Video Game Titles

Features, features, features!

It is important when buying software to take a look at the feature list each program offers. Software will generally list what functions it provides and what uses it has. For example, when looking at multimedia software it may list the following features: Edit Videos, Add Titles and Email Videos. But perhaps that package doesn’t allow you to turn the video into a DVD to send to grandma. If you don’t double check the feature list, you may end up with software that doesn’t fulfill your needs! Comparing features is an excellent way to choose between two seemingly identical products. Whether it is the sheer number of features that gets you to make your choice or perhaps a specific feature you need, knowing what the products offer is essential to making a buying decision. But pay attention when you’re looking for software: if it demands more resources than your computer can provide, then it won’t run well! Check your processor speed and memory cache against what the product requires, and if it needs more than you have, you probably want to consider another product.

But also, system requirements!

The final step, and perhaps the most important, is to find software that works. When you see a product that looks interesting and appears to meet your needs, you need to double check that it will work properly with your system. Software will generally indicate somewhere on the packaging or on the website what operating system it is designed to run on. If you followed the instructions above, then you are already armed with the knowledge needed to verify that the software is compatible with your computer. But making sure that the software is designed for your computer isn’t enough. You also need to make sure that the software will run on your hardware. Software is typically sold with what are called “Minimum Requirements” specified. These are detailed specifications regarding what speed processor, how much memory and hard drive space is needed to run the program. A modern system should be able to run any software without a problem. Still, it is always worth it to double check that your computer meets the minimum requirements for running the software. The only exception to this rule are games, which tend to require more resources than your computer may have. Always double check the requirements for games. Modern games tend to require extra memory, processing power and dedicated graphics cards that your system may not have. There is nothing more disappointing than purchasing an exciting new game only to have it not work or run very poorly when you finally get it home and install it.

Identifying quality software

Not all software is this same. Some programs work better than others, and some programs offer different features even if on the surface they may both seem to do the same thing. When buying software, it is worth the time and effort to research the programs you are interested in. Using an Internet search engine, one can find reviews about almost any program out there. By reading the reviews you will be able to make a better determination about whether or not that software is really what you need and want. When reading reviews on the Internet, it is always important to use common sense and good judgment. Make sure the review is from a reputable site and realize that people often only take the time to write reviews if they are really, really happy with a product or disappointed beyond belief. It may also be worth it to buy software that comes with a manual or documentation, as well as technical support. If the software is truly high quality, those things should be there! Now that you are armed with the information you need to make a software buying decision, the wonderful world of computing is at your fingertips!