The corporate world is all about making money - particularly when it comes to software.  The companies may set out to “make your life easier” with one application or another, but once they reel you in then they charge you for every conceivable notion or else just make life more difficult.

It wasn’t a security issue that got me - although I’m sure as I advance in my computer literacy that will be come an issue.  I’m stuck on dial up and most software companies don’t conceive of this possibility.  I took my time, researched the software, and brought the best choice home.  Imagine my shock and dismay when the CD that was in the box only gave me a connection to an online download of the actual program - not going to happen with dial up. 

The inconsiderate software company got me.  Most places won’t let you return software once it is opened.  Fortunately, I had spent over an hour discussing my situation with the folks at the store and they accepted the return.  Others may not have been as lucky.

Companies have to be concerned with the bottom line, but they also have to consider their customers.  If they make life more difficult and costly while attempting to make life easier, we won’t be back.

Chess is a game my children learned early.  At just 8 and 10, they enjoy playing with each other or against the computer with the software that I’ve purchased.  It’s more of a video game than a straight chess match, so they seem to play it longer.  It just leaves me wondering if they are learning how to better their chess game with the help of this software or if they are only trying to reach the next level.

I’m not an expert chess player myself, but I enjoy the challenge of thinking ahead of my opponent and then luring them in the direction I want.  It can be great tactical information - especially if you find yourself in a business meeting that isn’t quite going the way you saw it. 

Chess is not only a great game; it’s a great analogy for life.  I would love for there to be software (and maybe a curriculum) developed around the strategic concepts involved in chess.  This way I would feel more confident that my children were going to get more than a few hours of entertainment from the game.

For now, I’ll just have to rely on the software I have found and continue to keep my eyes out for something more and better.  I’ll use our one-on-one games to push forward the chess concepts as I know them and to gauge what the computer is teaching them.  Even if it’s only where the pieces can go and when, I know it will be more than most children their ages are getting today.

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.