Congratulations! You've just ordered your first computer. A couple of days later, you receive 3 boxes. Fantastic. Now what do you do?

Your computer tower, monitor, and printer are considered as being hardware. Though they may be remarkable achievements of modern technology, they can do absolutely nothing without software. Software provides the instructions that is read by your computer's main processor and distributed to your monitor, printer, modem, and more.

You're probably familiar with software. It's usually found in packages on discs known as CDs. The CD is actually a piece of hardware. The instructions that are recorded on the CD are the software. The music on a CD that you listen to from your portable CD player is also software. Pre-recorded DVDs and Videocassette tapes are other examples of devices that contain software.

Your computer's floppy drive, hard drive and CD drive are involved with reading and storing software, that's usually available on CD or on the Internet.

Most computers already come with some software titles already pre-stored on the hard drive. Depending on the make and model, you'll find the Operating System, a Word Processor, an Anti-Virus utility, some Games, and Internet Access software.

Now lets return to the Instruction Booklet to set up your computer. Let's assume that you can only read words written in English. Suppose the instructions were written in Spanish, would you be able to understand them? Probably not. It's the same thing with computers. Software can be written specifically for a PC (running Windows) or for a Macintosh (running Apple OS). In some cases, there may be sets of software for both PC and Macintosh on the same CD. A popular software package, Microsoft Office, may have one version for PC and another for Macintosh. Many games, however, may have versions that are compatible with both PC and Macintosh.

Another issue may be the length of the software. How long or complex are those instructions? Sometimes you have to check whether your computer has enough available memory to be able to read the software. In case of games or graphics applications, the software may require certain graphic dedicated hardware. Virtually every package of software indicates the requirements your hardware must have to adequately read, process, and display it.

There are tens of thousands of different software titles available covering hundreds of topics including education, business, finance, creativity, video, music, and more.

The presence of software is vital for the use of your computer equipment. Without software, your computer might as well be used as a doorstop.

This section encompasses software applications that are designed to help your business run better and more efficiently.

Accounting and Finance (click here for products)
Helps you keep your accounts in order. You'll find comprehensive financial packages, time budgeting, spreadsheet, check writing, real estate, and tax applications.

Business Presentation (click here for products)
Helps you assemble your creative ideas and marketing strategies into an easy to follow presentation. You can distribute the presentation to associates and clients. You can also display your presentation on a monitor or, for larger groups, through an LCD projector.

Contacts and Schedules (click here for products)
Helps you keep track of business associates and clients with comprehensive and flexible directories. It can also help you set-up, edit, and be reminded of appointments and things-to-do in your schedule. These easy-to-use applications offer customized management of contacts and appointments to help you and your staff stay organized and on top of what needs to be done.

Forms and Templates (click here for products)
Need a form? Whether you're seeking tax, finance, or legal forms, these products allow you to find the one you need and either fill it on your computer or print it out.

Idea Processing (click here for products)
Flowchart Do you have a brilliant idea? Will it work? Whether you're working on a project or conceiving a new plan, these software applications let you build a model of all the possibilities. They can help you find potential successes as well as possible failures - and how to overcome obstacles to get it right.

Legal Assistance (click here for products)
These software packages are almost like having a legal staff at your fingertips. Though no substitute for a lawyer when you're involved in serious litigations, it can help you research legal issues to help keep you and your business from getting into trouble.

Management (click here for products)
As your business develops and grows, issues with group and staff organization can occupy more and more of your valuable time. Management software can help you develop models to organize your staff and manage their projects and overall progress. These can help you pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your organization to help consider options and recommendations to keep your business growing for continued success.

Office Productivity Suites (click here for products)
Though there are several different types of suites, the leaders here are Microsoft Office and Corel Word Perfect Office. These are packages of software that usually include a Word Processor, a Spreadsheet, a Database, and a Presentation application. Consider these essentials to business productivity.

Word Processing (click here for products)
These are the meat-and-potato software applications of business. Whether you're writing memos, letters, proposals, research reports, or other text-based projects, a word processor is required. Virtually all have built-in spelling correctors, formatting tools, form generators and Internet adaptability, among many other exciting features. Can't use a keyboard? There are some new products that let you speak words into a microphone and the software converts them into written words.

You're never too young or old to learn. Learning with your home computer can be fun, easy, and quick.

There are a variety of entertaining games help children understand reading, writing, and arithmetic concepts.

Language instruction is amazing. Learn from native speakers; get special tips about phrasing and colloquialisms. You can even see the sights from the country of origin.

In "Music and Art", you can tour major museums and vast art collections. Here's your opportunity to learn how to play an instrument. You'll also find a wide range of MIDI applications that show you how to compose, edit, score, and play music with your computer and through a MIDI compatible instrument.

Whether you're learning for school or not, Academic software opens vast, new worlds of excitement and wonder.
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This section deals with all sorts of sound applications. You can record music and sounds off the Internet or compose your own music.
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You've gathered lots of information but how do you file it? These products help you file and organize information for easy management, retrieval and use. Most allow easy integration with word processors and productivity suites.
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We all need to play. Games allow us to compete, take on different roles, fight enemies, and develop strategic concepts. Here you'll find a wide variety of games for PC and Macintosh.
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We all need to play. Games allow us to compete, take on different roles, fight enemies, and develop strategic concepts. Here you'll find a wide variety of games for PC and Macintosh.
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Have you got a hobby? Would you like to conquer others with your delicious food? Are you eager to explore life extension through health and wellness? Want to create a family tree?

Throwing a party? Create and print your own invitations. Send personal greeting cards.

Want to build your own furniture? See how easy it is to design your home and garden.

Find ways to extend your life and lifestyle.
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Have you got a hobby? Would you like to conquer others with your delicious food? Are you eager to explore life extension through health and wellness? Want to create a family tree?

Throwing a party? Create and print your own invitations. Send personal greeting cards.
(click here for products)

What's a 'tintinabularian'? What's the capitol of Madagascar? Where's Mount Everest? Who was the 17th President of the United States? Who is Kal-El? Which dog is best for apartments?

This is where you'll find encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference applications.
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Are you preparing for admission to college or graduate school? These courses help you prepare for the GRE, SAT, and other tests.
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How do I get from here to there? What roads do I take? Where are rest stops and motels?

This is where you'll find software that shows streets and roads in detail. Some offer worldwide capabilities and work with Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
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If you're reading this at your computer, you've probably got a keyboard in front of you. Once upon a time, there were typewriters. They had similar types of keyboard layouts. That's why this category is called 'Typing Instruction'.

Learn how to type fast and efficiently. Learn to reduce errors. See what you're typing instead of staring at your keyboard.

If you plan to write on your computer, use chat and email on the Internet, these software titles can really help you out.
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This category covers some very vital tools that help your computer work and keep working.

An Operating System is essential. You can't run any software (or anything) if there's no operating system installed. Most computers are sold with operating systems but upgrades are often available. You're probably very familiar with Windows and Macintosh systems. Have you ever heard of LINUX? Can your computer work with LINUX?

Under Utilities, you'll find software that helps protect against viruses, saves valuable data and files in case of storage failure, helps keep your computer operating smoothly and efficiently.

Security has become a major issue. How do you keep your data files secure? There's software to help you do that. How do you build and manage a computer network?

You'll also find tutorials that help teach you how to get the most use from your computer. There are video and software tutorials that provide step-by-step instruction to help you use popular software titles.
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Voice Recognition software teaches your computer to understand what you actually say. Your computer writes as you speak.

Telephony helps add sophisticated telephone and fax applications into your computer.
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