Computers are just a collection of silicon, metal, glass and plastic, and can't do anything without being told. Software provides the "smarts" that tell a computer what to do.

The operating system is always running when your computer is on. It controls the basic functions of everything a computer and its peripherals do and enables your CPU, disk drive, printer and other peripherals to "talk" among themselves. It enables graphics and text to appear on the monitor. It tells the computer to move the cursor when you move the mouse. An operating system is usually included with whatever computer you buy.

Application software allows you to perform specific functions, such as word processing, creating spreadsheets, database management and desktop publishing.

A browser is an application that lets you explore the Internet.

Features

When you hit the letter T key on your keyboard, software tells the wires and chips to display the character T on the screen. The computer doesn't know what a "T" is any more than a hammer knows it's hitting a nail.

You control all the functions of your computer via commands through your software. Commands must be typed into the keyboard, or activated by pointing with a mouse. (Voice activated software is gaining in popularity, too.)

New application software must be compatible with your particular version of the operating system (such as Windows 98), the amount of random-access memory (RAM) in your computer and often other programs already installed on your computer.

The types of commands and the way the commands are activated have become standardized so that new users have some idea of how the software operates based on their experience with other software.

For instance, almost all software has a "save" command to record your data on a disk. The "open" command retrieves a saved document. "Copy" and "paste" commands duplicate portions of data and place them in another document. Clicking "new" results in a blank page in word processing or a blank journal page in an accounting program.

Most PCs today feature a graphic user interface (GUI, pronounced "gooey"), which uses icons to represent specific functions. A drawing of a garbage can indicates where to discard unwanted items, and little pictures of filing cabinets might show where folders and documents are stored. Using a mouse, you move an on-screen cursor to the appropriate icon. When you "click" a button on the mouse, you activate that function or document.

Like a real desktop, various papers are scattered about on your screen, and they can be piled on top of each other by pointing and clicking on the appropriate documents.

When you type, you choose a typeface and type size like a professional typesetter does. The document you see on the screen looks exactly like it will when printed. This is called WYSIWYG (pronounced "wizzy-wig") an acronym for "What You See Is What You Get." This capability has given rise to a branch of computing called desktop publishing, which allows you to create newsletters, flyers, ads and other publications directly from the computer.

Despite the widespread use of icons and commonality of commands, each application has features proprietary to that program.

Luckily, each has a manual explaining how to install the software and how it works.

Application Software

There are seven major kinds of application software. Many software packages offer a combination of these in a single program.

1. Word processing software lets you create and format text; select typeface, size, line length and spacing; insert graphics or pictures; cut and paste text from one section to another; add footnotes and page numbers; and a vast array of other options. Dictionary and thesaurus features are included.
2. Spreadsheet software is used for accounting, financial modeling, tax preparation, budgeting and so forth. It is set up in rows and columns that can be programmed with mathematical equations to perform automated calculations. For instance, adjust a specific expense or income figure in your household budget and watch the spreadsheet recalculate projections based on the new data.
3. Database software keeps track of information on people, places, and things. You can compile lists or sort files by Zip code, vendor, geography, product number or other criteria. Software ranges from simple address or calendar programs to sophisticated business applications.
4. Imaging software includes drawing and painting, photo manipulation, desktop publishing, and software to create "slide" presentations that can be projected for a large group.
5. Communications software connects your computer to the phone line via a modem to reach fax machines, other computers, online services, or the Internet. The program that connects you to the Internet is called a browser.
6. Networking software connects neighboring computers without a modem so they can share software and printers. A group of neighboring computers wired together is called a local area network (LAN).
7. Multimedia software involves the creation and manipulation of screen images, digital video, text and sound. The most popular types of multimedia software are computer games and encyclopedias. To take advantage of multimedia products, a computer must be equipped with A/V cards or additional software to reproduce video and stereo sound. Web browsers include multimedia capabilities that allow you to play sound and movie files from the Web.

Utilities take care of housekeeping chores such as copying floppy disks, speeding up processing, transferring data from one computer to another, backing up data, troubleshooting and guarding against computer viruses.

Tech talk

Programming languages allow a programmer to write instructions to the computer, so that it reacts in a certain way. When you press a particular key, for instance, the computer program translates that action into an on-screen reaction.

Programming languages include C, FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC and others. Some use a plain English code and command structure, others use complex algebraic algorithms. Each is designed for writing particular types of programs.

The programs go through multiple stages of testing, called debugging, to make sure they work correctly and are compatible with the operating system and hardware for which they were designed.

A software program is never complete. Most software is continually upgraded and these new "versions" carry updated numbers (v2.0, v7.0, etc).

By sending in your registration card, you may be eligible to purchase these upgrades for a special price.

Purchase

The hardware question - Mac or "IBM compatible" PC - is secondary to the software question: What will you be doing with your computer? Which software does best what you need to do? Only then ask what hardware configuration (and on which platform) does it run best.

All software has minimum hardware requirements listed on the package ("at least 8 MB free on your hard drive and 16 MB of RAM") along with the version of the operating system it is designed for ("Windows 3.1 or later").

All software is copyrighted. You purchase the right to run it on one or more computers as specified by the manufacturer. You may be able to install a program on your desktop computer and also on your laptop, but it probably is illegal to lend it to a friend.

Some programs are copy protected so that only one or two copies may be installed on from the installation disks. To install the application on a third hard drive, you must first uninstall it on the second.

In any event, pirated software comes without the manuals that show you how to use it.

And users of pirated software don't have access to the publisher's technical support - which seems trivial until you're about to lose a month's work without it.

Installation

Software must be installed, that is, stored on your computer's hard drive. Most software comes on a CD-ROM or floppy disks. Insert the install disk and you will be prompted on subsequent installation steps.

Every computer peripheral comes with software that tells your computer how the new equipment operates. This "driver" software must be installed before the peripheral can function.

Some popular peripheral drivers may be preinstalled on your hard drive at the factory.