The IBM PC and IBM-compatible machines are the ultimate tool for the
small
business. With a PC, you can instantly access individual records for
your
customers, write letters and marketing materials, keep track of your
books,
and more.
You can't do it without software, though. Software are the computer
programs you need in order to do anything with your computer.
Unfortunately, most business software is quite expensive, into the
hundreds
of dollars. There is a way, though, to get professional quality IBM
computer software for $5 and less. The software is a special type called
SHAREWARE.
Shareware programs, in most cases, are distributed directly by the
author
of the program.
Why would they want to do this?
It is much easier for their program to get wide distribution if they
do it themselves, rather
than if they try to get a major company to produce and distribute it.
Many
shareware programs are as good, if not better, than commercial programs
(the
ones you buy at a computer store).
What's better, the pretty much unwritten rule in the shareware industry
is that you shouldn't charge more than $5 for a shareware disk. If
you know where to look, though, you can get the programs for FREE!
Shareware is meant to be shared, hence the name. It's OK for you to
copy
a shareware disk and give it to a friend, unlike commercially released
programs, which are protected by copyright.
What this means, is that you can get PC-WRITE, a word processor that
rivals WordPerfect, the industry leader, for free. WordPerfect, on
the other hand, costs over $400.
Other great shareware programs include FILE EXPRESS (a database, great
for
customer mailing lists, and inventory records) and AS-EASY-AS (a spreadsheet,
for accounting and bookkeeping). All these have the features of a
professional program.
So, where can you get these programs? There are dozens of shareware
dealers
like Software Labs (800-569-7900), which sell programs by the disk,
usually
for $5 per disk. Some programs, like the ones mentioned above, are
so big
they come on more than one disk, and may be priced differently than
singledisk
programs.
There's also a way you can get this programs for free. How? Through
bulletin
board services that offer free sharewares.
First you'll need a modem, which lets you connect your computer to
the phone
line. Then, you'll need a "terminal program," which turns your computer
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