Articles of Interest to PC Entrepreneurs
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article in HTML format to mtims@matcopublishing.com
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SOFTWARE FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSMAN
by
Michael A. Tims
So you've finally decided to take the plunge and computerize your mail order or other small business.
First you go and purchase the computer and perhaps a printer to go along with it, investing anywhere from $700 to $2,000 depending on computer CPU (main computer chip), speed in MHZ (anywhere from 12 MHZ to 66 MHZ) and the type of printer you purchase (assuming a basic dot matrix type to start with).
Next you start pricing the software that will make your business more efficient and save you the hours of time -- like all the computer experts have promised.
You soon discover that all the neat-o, keen-o commercial software programs you are looking at will cost more than the price of the computer and printer. Look at the price of dBase IV (a fine and powerful database program) it is currently retailing at $519 for the DOS version. Then look at the current price of Lotus 1-2-3 if you need a spreadsheet program, at about $300 for it's DOS version. What about a wordprocessing program with mail merge and database access so you can write all those sales letters you want for a direct mailing. Wordperfect is a fine commercial wordprocessing program that will do the job, but have you looked at the price for this program lately? For the latest version for DOS it is retailing at around $275. The Windows versions of these programs are even more.
The good news is that each of these commercial software packages has a clone that will do the same job as the commercial program for a fraction of the price. In fact, you are able to try out these cloned software programs BEFORE you even have to pay for them. The type of software I am talking about is called SHAREWARE.
Shareware is a marketing concept sometimes called, try-before-you-buy-type software. The authors of thousands of excellent software programs allow the use of their software packages for a reasonable trial period and if you are satisfied, you register (pay for) your copy of the software and simply continue using it. In return for registration, many authors will send the latest version of their program. Others include a printed manual, include additional program features or give some other incentive for registering. In most cases, you will find the shareware equivalents as good, if not better, than the commercial programs available.
There are many software packages (thousands for that matter) that are distributed as shareware and there are several ways to get evaluation copies of the programs:
1. Download them from bulletin board systems (BBS's) or from on-line services (American Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, Delphi, etc.) using your computer, modem and communications software.
2. Write directly to the author if you hear about an especially interesting program and can get the address of the author. Most will send you an evaluation copy if you send them a floppy disk in a self addressed, stamped mailer.
3. From a CD-ROM collection of shareware programs. These collections contain as many as 20,000 shareware program files.
4. From a friend who might make a copy of a shareware program for you to evaluate. Even though the authors retain the copyright on their programs, they allow copying of the programs for other people to evaluate.
5. From a distributor of shareware programs whose business it is to copy shareware programs onto floppy disks and distribute them for their customer's to evaluate.
Of course, being a distributor myself, I advocate this method as being the greatest since sliced bread. Seriously though, distributors usually have the largest selection as well as the most up to date versions of shareware programs, because authors are constantly sending distributors their latest programs, as well as their latest version upgrades, as they come out. Furthermore, all of the reputable distributors, that I know of, scan their author submissions as well as their own programs for viruses on a regular basis. This insures that you will get a virus free copy of any of their shareware programs to evaluate.
Keep in mind that neither BBS's nor shareware distributors own the software they distribute and you are not purchasing the software outright from them. You are paying a disk copying fee only. The individual authors retain ownership of the software and if you continue to find the software useful, after a reasonable evaluation period, you are required to send the registration fee directly to the respective authors or else discontinue using the software.
Besides the much lower costs, there are other reasons to use and evaluate shareware programs. By working with a particular type of software package, you learn how that type of software works, what to expect from that type of software package, the terminology used with the software, what features are important to you, as well as other considerations. Then, if you you do go shopping for a new software package, you will know what features to look for, whether it is a commercial program or another shareware program to evaluate.
Whatever method you use to obtain shareware programs, I feel you will find the experience worthwhile.
===================================================AUTHOR PROFILE
Michael A. Tims is a retired high school math teacher but has run a mail order business as a sideline for over 20 years. Being a self taught computer NUT, one of his passions has been to find unique ways to use a PC to enhance or enable a small business venture.
Mr. Tims has written numerous magazine articles on PC basics or using a PC in business and is the author of the published book, "101 Computer Related Businesses", as well as a syndicated column called, "PC Biz of the Month".
Visit his new web site at www.matcopublishing.com and let him know what you think of it. Many other articles may be read at www.matcopublishing.com/articles.htm
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