It used to be necessary to visit a computer store in order to purchase software for running almost any computer application. Today, however, much of the transfer of software is done through a process known as downloading. This means you can install programs and applications by clicking on a download file at a manufacturer's or distributor's site, through software libraries or by way of many other methods. Depending on the quality of the software that you are downloading, your own skill level or the connection capability on the sending and receiving end of the download; the actual transfer of data or the download software process, may go smoothly, or it may bump along with totally unsatisfactory results.



Who needs to download?

How do you know if you should download software? Chances are excellent if you have listened to an MP3 player or entered a new ring tone into your cell phone, you have had to download software before. Students often must download software in order to take classes in a particular application or just to be more efficient in their studies. Business owners use many types of software, including free software, in order to service various applications related to their business.

One of the main reasons for downloading free software is to try before you buy. Often, manufacturer's will make a free limited version, or free software that you can try for 15 days or 30 days before you decide whether or not to purchase the software.

Do's and don'ts

Here are some general tips that you should follow before you download software particularly free software.

lRead the instructions for downloading before beginning any installation of software. You may need to uninstall previous versions of the software, or you may need another type of software present in order to complete the download.

lChoose the correct version of the software to work with your own operating system. Trying to use Linux software in a Windows operating environment just won't work.

lDon't forget to do a full backup of your operating system, just in case you get into a disaster. Windows XP allows you to restore your system to a previous point, but you have to have created the restore point.

lAlways scan the file before you open it, regardless of the source

lYou should never download software that comes through a file sharing source, since you can get something you didn't bargain for.

lNever install software that you don't have ownership rights to. Sites that illegally distribute registered software can get you in legal trouble as well.

lIf you download from a reliable and trustworthy site such as the web site of the software developer or from a software archive site, you are more likely to avoid corrupted or illegal software.

lReliable software companies don't sent email attachments containing copies of the software. Be cautious in downloading such software and make certain that it is from a reliable and trustworthy site.