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Choosing
programs
Beforc you buy a panicul,H application program,
do
the
same
kind
of
TCSC:Irch
you
do
when
you invest in a car, a
1"
set,
or
a stereo,
Read reviews
in
romputer magazines and
ulk
'with people
who
usc
the kind
of
software you're Interested
m,
(User groups are a wcalm
of
information
when
It
comes to "real life" wim a particular program
If
at all possible, tl)'
out
software lxl.forc you buy
it
Keep these
questions in mind when
shoppmg
for software:
•
Docs
the program
do
what )"OU want to
do'
A lot
more
or
a lot
less? For cxample, if)oou only
wanl
10
writc letters, there's
no
point
in
spending
the time and money on a
word
processing
progr.am that
has
a
number
of
adv.:mttd
f~tures
rO\l ""ill never
use.
On
the
other
hand, if you need
10
do
complex document
formauing-\lIrying
margins, numeric columns,
fOOU101CS-S::lvC
rourself time
and
frusmtion
and
buy a more pov.oerful
produo.
• \\"'hat
do
)'OU
get
for your
money'
Compare fe:iltures
and
pricc.
\\rut
are
)"ou
paying
for-
features you may never usc?
• Givcn the compleXity of:il particular program, is
It
easy
to
control?
Or
do
you feel that you
h.1lve
to fight the program to get
the
job
donc?
•
\\1\at is
the
soft
......
are
publisher's upgrade policy' How much
doc"
the publisher charge for
new
rclcues? Some charge a lot,
other~
vcry littlc.
•
\\'hat is thc software publisher's support policy' Does the
publisher have a user hotline to answer technical
questions'
Speaking
of
support, if you're looking
at
:il
complex piece
of
software, check your local
bookstores
for
books
that
can
help you
dc\'elop the program'S full potential
Chooslng
programs
83
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