Computer Software
Computer Software…
Cost Effective or Costly?
The main reason you purchase software for your computer is to accomplish a specific task. You want to be more productive. You want to save more time. If a software program doesn’t help you achieve this, then your computer programs are costly, not cost effective.
As a general guideline, you should use the most cost-effective computer program that meets your needs. For example, if you need a computer word processing program for general correspondence, a free software program like AbiWord may meet all your needs. However, if you’re business needs a software program to print letters from your database, create power point presentations or graphs and interact with your customized spreadsheets, Microsoft Office may a better (and a more cost effective) software program alternative.
Here are four things to keep in mind about software programs you’re considering for your computer.
First, check out the minimum requirements of the software program to insure it will correctly operate on your computer. Does your computer have the disk space, memory, processing speed and the computer accessories required by the software?
Second, check out the “total” cost of owning the computer program. You’ll have both the initial cost of the software program and possibly an on going cost. For example, will you need training on the software? If you have a question about the software, whom will you contact… how will you contact them and how much will it cost? Will regular software updates be required and at what cost? If you have a deadline, a problem and no support, that cheap software may not be so cheap after all.
Third, if at all possible, always test a computer program before you purchase it. If there is a demo or trial software version, get it. Enter some data, run some reports, give the computer program a real workout. Talk to friends or review comments in user groups about the software. The more you know about a software program, the better.
Finally, if you purchase a software package be sure you understand the warranties and money back guarantees. If you pay good money for a computer program, you should get an unconditional money back guarantee… the longer the guarantee, the better.
Note: Beware of companies that send you unsolicited emails offering rock bottom prices on popular software programs. These are often oversea companies selling illegal and/or unsupported software… or worse, someone simply trying to take your money. Always buy your computer programs from reputable software vendors.
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Computer Software