Office Software

From LoveToKnow Buy

Buying office software requires matching your computer’s capability or engine, determined by the type and speed of its processor, and resident horsepower, or the amount of random-access memory (RAM) combined with hard-drive space storage. Most of this information can be found in your operator’s manual or by going into the Control Panel and accessing the system file. Mac owners need to open the Applications folder and System Profiler.

Office Software Purchases Depend Upon Tasks You Want To Perform

Office software includes word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentations. Your computer may have come bundled with some resident software to add value. One is multi-taker Microsoft Works which has a word processor, spreadsheet, database and presentation. While not as fully featured as the Microsoft Word, Works will do.

Heavyweights Microsoft Word, Excel, (spreadsheet), PowerPoint (presentations) and Access (database) are packaged into one product offering called Microsoft Office available in two versions. Office Professional is a fully-loaded version most users will never utilize. A student version contains less power in stripped-down versions, but it’s still all you’ll need for most applications.

Communications email software should be resident on your computer like Outlook Express, or available from providers such as Yahoo, Google and MSN.

Graphics and multimedia software can include digital photo manipulation like Photoshop, drawing, and video and sound editing for multimedia presentations. These programs are memory hogs and require a lot of power to run.

Browser Software

Internet Explorer (IE) is standard for PCs, although Firefox is far easier to use and more reliable. IE is an open architecture product, which means developers know how the code is written. Unfortunately this also means hackers are able to exploit IE’s code and create virus and spyware programs that can damage your data, your machine, or your identity.

Anti-virus And Anti-spyware Protection

With PCs anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are necessary, as is a firewall, which is a security device that blocks hacker attacks and keeps them out of your computer system. Both new and older machines should be protected. You’ll also need a system backup and recovery disk to restore your system when it goes down.

Macintosh OS series operating systems consist of an entirely different approach to code creation and is less open or known in the tech world. Apple keeps a tight control on its operating system.

Basic Office Software Buying Tips

Keep in mind that most storefront software vendors have a “You opened it, you bought it” policy. No vendor will accept returns of opened software because there’s no real way to resell it. Buy software from reputable vendors.

Weekend computer fair vendors frequently sell pirated software and operating systems which is bad news for you. Microsoft and will only accept OEM versions. If your swap meet version happens to be pirated or copied, you’ll out of luck because it can’t be registered at Microsoft’s Web site and you won’t’ be able to use it. This same program is encountered online, especially on eBay, where pirated copies abound.

Check the system requirements on the software package. If in doubt about compatibility, ask a salesperson. The software vendor should be able to tell you if the software is compatible or not, and also if a particular product is the best choice for you. Research the software version. If a newer version is soon due to arrive, you can either wait for it, or expect to pay for updates.

You’re best bet is a free downloadable trial, usually offered at a software company's Web site, usually good for 30 days or so. Some functionality will be lacking, like the ability to save your work. But the advantage of the trial is that you upgrade to a paid version relative easily and already know a lot about how it works.

Technical Support

Technical support is always an issue with any software purchase. Options usually favor the manufacturer. “Lifetime support” has many definitions so check before you leap. “Support” can also be limited to call centers located in foreign lands where English may be a second language but customer service is rarely spoken.

Print the manual

Most software includes a printed manual along with an installer disc you must file in a safe place in case your software goes “poof“ in the night. Software manufacturers almost always offer some soft of online support or online manual you can access on its Web site.