COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE: BUYING.
TIPS
When buying commercial software, keep the
following
points in mind:
•
Be
sure that you are buying the software
program in the format that
you
need.
Re-
member
that
in addition
to
the cassette- and
diskette-based programs discussed
earlier in
this chapter, there
is
a third software format:
the cartridge. Cartridge programs
load
directly
into the computer. If
you
buy
a
cassette-based program,
you
will
need the
appropriate recorder
to
go
with
it; for a
diskette-based program,
you
will
need a disk
drive
(see
Chapter
4,
"Peripherals").
•
Be
sure
that
the program
you
are
purchasing
is
written
specifically for Atari computers. A
program
written
for another brand may
not
run
on
or
even load into your Atari.
The
com-
puter
for which the software
is
intended
should be clearly marked on the packaging.
•
Be
sure
that
the software
is
meant for the
specific model
Atari
computer
you
own. For
example, a program that works on the Atari
Models 400 and 800 will
not
necessarily
work
on the Mode11200XL. If the software
packaging does
not
indicate the model
of
Atari,
ask
your
dealer if the program
will
work
with
your
model.
• If
at all possible, find a store
that
will let
you
try
the software before purchasing it.
This
is
a sure-fire
way
to
see
if the program lives
up
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