What type of computer software you need depends on the reason you want to buy a new computer in the first place. I'm going to tell you the different types of software you can get and what you can do with them, so you can decide which computer software you need to get the job done.
Email software
If you use the internet, e-mail software is not only a must-have. It's also a no-brainer. You can download a free e-mail software such as Eudora or your new computer may come with Microsoft Outlook Express.cd recording software/DVD recording
Most CD recorder and DVD recorder drives come with software. The bundled software is usually fine for most purposes. Otherwise you can buy Nero or Easy CD Pro for burning CDs for backup, multimedia or photo disks.Office suite - Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office gives you multiple essential software programs such as a word processing program, a spreadsheet, a database application and more, depending on which version you get. If you don't need all of this computer software, you can buy the following software separately.Word processing program
There are very few competitors to Microsoft Word and if you want to share documents with others, Microsoft Word is the only choice. Word processing software such as MS Word allows you to create letters, print envelopes, labels and postcards. It spell checks your document, grammar checks it and automatically corrects certain typos as you type. Word processors have come a long way since I started using computers 11 years ago.Spreadsheet
If you need to automate adding up numbers, you need spreadsheet software. This more likely to be used for business than by home users.database
A database program is frequently used the same way as a spreadsheet, but it is more complicated to use. A database program allows you to do data entry typing customer information into a form. Then you can do queries searching for customers using certain criteria such as their state or zip code. This can be done in a spreadsheet also, but typing data in is easier with a database's form view. Microsoft Access is the best all-around database program. Databases such as Microsoft SQL or Oracle require a trained computer database software professional to use and are only needed in large businesses.Graphics software
If you have a digital camera or if you've ever bought clip art or photos and you want to edit them or add them to a web page, you will need graphics software. Adobe Photoshop is the graphic editing software of choice for graphics professionals, but for consumers it's too expensive and has more features than you need. A better choice for consumers would be Paint Shop Pro. If you're a graphic artist, you will want to look for drawing or illustration software such as Adobe Illustrator, which is the most popular drawing software for professionals. If you're just looking for a graphics viewer, you can get an excellent one for free called Irfanview. It isn't just a graphics viewer, it's also a thumbnail creator and graphics conversion tool.computer game software
Games obviously are not essential computer software. They're purely for entertainment, but..Shhh! Don't tell the gamers that though because they can't get enough of computer games. You might even know someone who spends all day playing games. There are hundreds of games out there. Visit Chips and Bits for a wide selection of games.HTML editor
HTML editor software is what you would need if you have to edit web pages. The most popular and the software I personally use are Microsoft Frontpage and Dreamweaver. Frontpage makes it easier for beginners to edit web pages. Dreamweaver is more likely to be used by professionals but might be a little intimidating if you're new to editing web pages.music creation
Music creation software is generally only needed if you're a musician. The most commonly used music creation software is SoundForge. Find out more at Sonic Foundry.desktop publishing
Desktop publishing software allows you to create layouts for documents that traditionally have been produced by professional printers. Consumer level DTP software such as Print Shop andMicrosoft Publisher allow you to create documents such as birthday cards, brochures, posters, and signs.Professionals use DTP software to produce a file that is then taken to a professional printer. An example of someone who would use desktop publishing software would be a company that produces a magazine.Professional level programs include Adobe Pagemaker andQuarkXPress.
video editing software
You don't have to be a Hollywood director to want to edit your own videos. The easiest to use video editing software I've seen is Pinnacle Studio computer software which allows you to easily add Hollywood style studio effects to your home movies. Professionals might want to use Adobe Premiere instead which is geared more toward movie professionals.utilities
Utilities include computer software such as antivirus software, back up software and defragmenting software. Particularly it usually refers to computer software that helps maintain or clean up your system in some way.Business software
If you're using your new computer to run a business, you may also need the following software:contact software
Top contact software which allows you to keep in touch with customers and keep track of all communicates sent to clients includes Goldmine and Act!.Accounting software
For keeping track of sales, expenses and liabilities, you will need accounting software. Most popular choices used by retail customers I train are Quickbooks and BusinessWorks.Retail software
I provide training mostly for retail customers. The software I recommend for inventory control is Retail Pro. Rpro allows you to generate purchase orders, receiving vouchers, sales invoices, and keep track of your inventory.
I've covered all the major types of computer software you will need for practically any purpose you want.
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