Living in a small, rural community with no easy access to an electronics store can make finding good software hard.  Searching the internet doesn’t always help.  Much of the shareware or freeware is either worthless or harmful.  What’s worse is that there doesn’t seem to be an easy way for the non-techie to know the best from the worst.

Awards were once a way for you to know that what you were getting was worth it.  One of the oldest awards I know about is the “Good Housekeeping Seal” but I’ve seen, used, and bought products with that seal that I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy.

Software is the same.  I’ve tried asking people that are in the know what I need and every one of them has a different thought or opinion.  It seems that software can be as much about personal taste as it is about how it runs on your computer.

The best way to find the software that is right for you is to experiment - with caution.  Don’t download something because you think the site you are visiting is safe.  Take some time to do a little research about the company first.  And make sure you anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are up to date before you start to download.

Finding your way through the mounds of software available today is not easy.  The good AND bad news is that it will only become more complicated in the future.

It is more likely that a child will be struck by lightening than abducted by a stranger, but parents still worry about the safety of their kids.  The internet has made it impossible to keep kids away from strangers.  Many of the Web 2.0 communities give the kids using the sites a false sense of security.  It also allows those same kids to keep what they are doing out of the hands of nosey parents.

Until now.

Myspace has announced that it will offer software that will give parents the ability to monitor portions of their children’s online activities - at least on the home computer.  It won’t give parents the ability to spy (read emails or profiles) but it will allow them to know what age, description, and location the child is advertising.

Does it really go far enough?  Most experts would say no.  The idea that kids can block their parents from accessing anything of theirs is wrong.  If kids want that kind of freedom they need to get jobs, move out of their parents’ homes, and fend for themselves.

Myspace is trying to find a way to appease the parents and still keep the business of the kids.  This software is just not the best way to make either side all that happy.

Computers should be more than an expensive paper weight, a game boy, or a chat opportunity. With the software that is available, it can be all of that and so much more. It can go beyond the even the typical “tech” activities of movie, music, and photo editing and help you develop your hobbies or just create something amazing.

When I first began on a computer, I was lucky to be able to figure out the commands on my basic writing programs. As time has passed, and I’ve become better acquainted with my computer, I’ve stepped out and tried new and different things. The more I realized that I could recover from my mistakes (most of the time), the more I was willing to try.

And the more I tried, the more I found to try. Who knew that I could make art with the simple act of visiting websites? It is possible to create a virtual library that includes ratings of my books and a place to keep up with who I’ve loaned them out to.

Computer software seems to be capable of doing it all for the most part. If I could find one that would change the baby’s diapers then I might actually have the time to use all the fun (but not necessarily constructive) items that are out there.

Every computer I have ever bought was full of junk that I never used.  For the most part, I downloaded much of the software that I needed.  It seems that the free stuff is often as good, if not better, than anything you might find to buy.

There are exceptions to every rule, but so far my choices haven’t let me down.  I would probably have lots more freeware, shareware, or other free products found online, but I have dialup.  I am limited in what I can download onto my computer.  But never fear, even dialup can get into the free market.

I was introduced to Foxfire a few months back and haven’t even thought of using another browser.  I love the way it is set up, and the options that can be added.  It was one of those finds that everyone needs to experience.  The price is unbeatable (free) and the performance is the best I have found.

The great thing is that there are hundreds of free software programs available over the internet.  Just because your computer comes preset, doesn’t mean you are stuck with that software.  Look around and test out some of the other options that are available to you.  This is a particularly good project BEFORE purchasing lots of software.  It may be that what you need is free and just a download away.

Web 2.0 is much more than just the catch phrase of the day.  You only have to peruse the internet for a short time to see that the social networks (the very heart of Web 2.0) are taking over.   YouTube is already one of the hottest Web 2.0 sites.  It is now making it easier to connect with other Web 2.0 networks.

YouTube has announced that it will be adding a button to allow users to Digg, StumbleUpon, Reddit, and basically mark the entries so that it is easy to post them at other social content sites.   The “Digg this” button is probably one of the most exciting features.  Digg.com has a strong hold on Web 2.0 in its own right.

While it’s good that the different sites are making it easier to connect to other social networks, I’m not so sure it’s all good.  My last major tour through Digg provided me with hours of pointless, worthless, and mindless information.  I actually WANT more than entertainment out of my computer.

Like anything that is good, people have a way of making it bad.  It would be nice if you had to get a license (or in some way proof your value) before being allowed to surf the Web.