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Finding Quality Software
Don't Jump The Gun

You may be wondering WHY this part comes before the part where you actually learn to clean your computer.  The answer lies in my experience of working in the PC security industry and seeing what kind of problems poor software can cause in a computer.

 

I can't believe how many computers I have fixed or cleaned up from poorly written or bloated software.  I would go so far as saying that if it wasn't for poor software, I probably wouldn't have a job in the IT industry, or most certainly would not be paid so well.

 

The biggest tip I can give you in this section is READ THE LICENSE AGREEMENT.  If the agreement has anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't install it until you find out what the consequences are.

Finding Quality Software
Research the Product's Claims

Every product has a niche, or a selling angle.  The key in choosing a product is identifying what the product says it does vs. what it can actually do.

 

The best method in determining if a product is going to live up to its own hype is to research it online in forums and consumer comparision and reports sites.  These sites provide you with real live experiences and testimonials, as well as information about the products history and the company behind them.

 

A good tip about trying a new product is this:

 

"If you can't find reliable information about the product on the internet, don't use it".

 

There's a lot of truth in the saying "bad information is better than no information at all"

 

Finding Quality Software
Compare with Competitors

Every product needs to have a de facto - a standard.  Just like there are leaders in the fast food market, there are leaders in the software market.

 

http://PCsecuritySecrets.com provides information about products and compares them against the others (shameless plug).  There are also many other reputable sites and forums on the internet you can ask for help in choosing software.  Usually the best places to ask about software is in forums.

 

When choosing a software product, there are a few things you want to compare against other similiar products:

  • Support options (email, phone, live chat)
  • Guarantees (money back, credit, limited time, etc)
  • Comparisons to their competitors
  • Testimonials