Try it before you buy it

Well Bill Gates has released Windows 2000, and it only costs about as much as it would to feed a small third world country. Of course a small third world country doesn't have nearly as many bugs. But hey, he's Bill Gates, and as Bill is fond of

saying on occasion, "Let them eat Cake 2000" with future upgrade, free tech support, and a multitude of optional plug-ins for an additional charge of $99 (but only with the professional addition, excluding Cake 2000 NT). My point with all this, of course, is that the cost of computer software can sometimes cost as much as the computer itself. Suppose you want a program that will teach you the latest techniques in Swiss origami, or recipes on how to cook everything from muskrat to meerkat, but you're not sure which is the best program for your particular needs. Well, that's why the computer gods invented Shareware.

There are many factors in deciding which brand of software to buy such as cost, ease of use, number of features, compatibility, flexibility in allowing you to customize the software to fit your needs, etc. Before you drop $200 on that new Microsoft Front Desk Publishing Outlook program, you want to make sure that it will do what you want, is easy to learn how to use, and is compatible with your other programs and computer, etc. Well, there is no better way to do this than with Shareware. Shareware programs are programs that have been modified to give you a limited version, or limited use, of the full program for trial purposes only. Some have a time limit on how long you can use the program for free (most time limits are 30 days) before it closes down and won't allow you to reopen it. Others have little screens, called nag screens (in honor of Jewish mothers everywhere), that pop up to remind you to register the program. And some are just limited versions of the full program to give you an idea of what the program can do without giving you all the bells and whistles. If you are looking for specific programs, and don't have a clue as to what kind of software is out there, then check out these sites and start downloading. I must mention that some companies make programs that they want to share for free (since most programmers are hippies). Coincidentally enough, this is called Freeware, and can be found at some of these sites as well.

The best site that I've found so far, and one that I check just about everyday, is called Download.com. The homepage has a list of categories to help you find specific software such as Business, Games, Internet, Snoggling, etc. To the right of that there are three links that take you to the most popular software, newest software, and their picks for the best software. These are excellent if you just want to browse. Maybe you read a review on some new program and you want to check it out, or you want to see if there is an upgrade to a program that you already have. If so, go here. You can also find the latest free update for your anti-virus program. Download.com has a search engine that will help you find a specific title, or version, of software without having to weed through all the programs on the site. Check it out, you'll be amazed at how many programs there are that do things you never thought possible, like making a screensaver out of your brother's bachelor party pictures. Well, maybe not.

I love the name of this next website, Tucows. My guess is that these guys aren't from NYC. The first thing you will have to do is click on the link that supports your operating system (i.e. Windows 95/98, Mac, Windows NT, etc.). Once you do that, you will be presented with a whole Pandora's box of categories to explore. With a name like Tucows, you have to know these guys are just the nerds to keep you in touch with the newest stuff on the internet.

Winfiles.com has the largest collection of Windows shareware on the Internet,

according to the guys who run the PR dept. In addition to offering the same services as the first two sites, Winfiles.com has section for "Bugs & Fixes". Anyone who's ever bought anything from Microsoft will appreciate this section. You can also click on a section that gives you "Tips & Tricks", or one that has "Drivers", for those of you who need a ride to the store. One nice feature about this site is a section that lets you "Compare Prices" for software shopping online. This is a very well-rounded site, so check it out.

The last webpage I recommend is called Softseek and this site works pretty much the same way as Download.com so I won't spend a lot of time repeating myself. Both sites give you little mini-reviews of their top downloads on the homepage so you can get an idea of what some of the software does. There's been many a time where I've downloaded a program that has nothing to do with the name. For example, I downloaded a program called Automate Anything. What a great title. I figured all I had to do was turn my computer on and go to breakfast. By the time I come back, everything would be done and I could go home for the day. Not even close, it has something to do with that new Microsoft program, Word Page Map Finder 2000 XTE. Glad I didn't buy it at Best Buys first.

Most of these sites overlap in what new programs are available, although one site may have it listed before the other sites, and vice versa. Sometimes I can find a program on one site, and not on another. Whichever site has the

program I want becomes my new favorite site. And for those of you who think I was a bit hard on Bill Gates and Microsoft, there's an excellent freeware program available called Get Over It 2000.