January 98 Column
Note:
If you are having difficulty reading this page, try using the Netscape
Browser instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Dozens of magazines, including Consumer Reports, contain software reviews. Try PC Magazine, Yahoo! Magazine, Internet Magazine and others. (My favorite is Smart Computing in Plain English, formerly PC Novice). You can find these in most any store which sells magazines. Many newspapers have computer sections now, including the Chicago Tribune, The Detroit Free Press and the Wall Street Journal. You can find each of these newspapers and e-zines (electronic magazines) online as well. Software reviews are standard fair in each of these print and online mediums.
There are many Web pages in existence on every type of software. Use your favorite Internet search engine, such as Excite, Yahoo!, or Alta Vista, to do a search for a particular name brand or type of software and you will find more information than you will know what to do with.
Find out if there is a computer user group in your area. A freebie newspaper called Michigan Computer Users Magazine lists several user groups in Oakland County. Two that I am aware of meet at Oakland University and in Holly. My husband and I began the one in Holly. Typically a user group meets once a month for a couple of hours. Usually there is a topic of discussion and a software demo. Each group is made up of an eclectic bunch of individuals hoping to network while garnering more information about hardware and software resources.
Talk to other computer and business owners. Which software do they find works best for them and why? If you belong to a business association or other group, pose the question at the next gathering.
Now a word about computer classes. If you wish to become very comfortable in a particular software you can do one of two things or both. You can pay from $50 to $200 for a software or hardware class at a local school, community education program or community college. Or you can buy a book at any store, which sells computer products, for $20 to $40 and teach yourself. Both DDC and Que Publishing produce really well-written books. The Dummy series is highly recommended by many users.
If you are fortunate to have an employer offer to pay for employees’ computer classes, take advantage of it. Many people have learned how to use spreadsheet, database, word processing and desktop publishing software from employee training. Computer skills are invaluable.
For those who wish to increase their general comfort level with and around computers, I recommend taking an Intro to Computers class at a local school. Before long, you will be sought out by others who sense your ease and know less than you.
The possibilities are endless. The resources are out there. The discipline, effort, finances and motivation are up to you.
(January)