Looking for inexpensive computer software? Try the following tips and suggestions to find great deals on the programs you want.

Launching into the Information Age requires the use of a computer and suitable software programs. Some people take advantage of free computers at public or school libraries, while others dole out the hundreds or thousands of dollars needed to purchase a computer monitor and printer.

But that is only half the cost, or less. Computers need programs to operate, so you’ll also need to budget for software that you need for personal and professional computer tasks, such as keeping track of work-related travel or preparing a tax filing. Programs can cost anywhere between $10 and $300 or more. Like anything else, paying full price doesn’t make sense when you can get the same product for less.

Here are a few tips to help you get the programs you need at a price you can afford:

1. Check newspaper and mail ads or circulars. Chain stores like Best Buy or CompUSA frequently offer discounts on brand-name software like Microsoft. Watch for sales dates or discount coupons and mark your calendar so you won’t miss these upcoming events. If you can’t quite meet the terms for the discount, such as purchasing $100 worth of merchandise first, ask a family member or friend who shops there if anything is needed in the near future to warrant the $100 expense. You may want to chip in for car gas if you ride together to buy your bargains. 2. Ask about rebates. Although most of these are widely promoted, you may have missed one that you’re interested in. Call the store that carries software you want and ask if a rebate is currently available or will be offered soon. When one does become available, get the right form and save all proof of purchase items, such as your receipt and the product’s packaging, which will likely have the ISBN code that is needed to apply for a rebate. This means you may have to cut the number off the box for mailing with your rebate form. Manufacturers design the box this way to prevent fraudulent rebate claims. Keep a copy of your rebate form and receipts in case they get lost in the mail.

3. Contact the manufacturer. Most prefer to work directly through retailers, but it never hurts to ask about possible discounts, rebates, or other savings options through direct contact with the wholesaler or manufacturer. They may be able to offer you similar software or a new program at reduced cost in exchange for your feedback on how well you like it and whether it performs the work you want it to.

4. Share with a friend. If you know someone, like a friend or family member, who has a software program you want to get, ask to try out theirs first. Due to licensing restrictions, you will have to use the program on the other person’s computer; it cannot be duplicated, which is illegal. But getting a demonstration or hands-on practice will let you know if the product will suit your needs before you buy it. Instead of buying a new program for yourself, you may be able to pay a friend to do your work, too, which could save a bundle if you don’t have to buy the program. But if you have a large amount of work to do with the program, you’ll probably be better served in buying your own copy.

Using software for work or school purposes may mean that you are eligible to apply for certain forms of financial aid or software grants. Ask your supervisor for information. The bottom line is not to pay full price until you’ve checked out other available options.

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You learn Linux best by getting real practical experience working with it. By using a Linux desktop, running Linux programs, and especially running Linux commands - the real power behind Linux administration.

5 Ways to Get Linux Running to Get Linux Training

1. Get Linux “pre-installed” on a new computer This is one of the easiest ways to start working with Linux. Several major retailers now offer Linux pre-installed on their computer systems. Just buy it, boot it and start working!

2. Install Linux on a system that doesn’t have Windows

You can install Linux “from scratch”, from CD or DVD, on a new or used system that doesn’t already have an operating system (like Windows) on it.

3. Install Linux on a Windows system

If you don’t want to buy a new or used system for Linux, you can install Linux on an existing Windows system. When you do this, you create a “dual boot” (Linux and Windows) system.

After you install Linux and boot your system, a menu will appear allowing you to boot into Windows or boot into Linux!

In this case, you don’t need to buy a computer just for Linux. But there is a downside: if you make a mistake during the installation, or even if you delete Linux from your system later, you may loose all your Windows programs and data!

Linux Tip: Be sure to back up your system up before you install Linux and before you remove Linux.

4. Boot a system with a Linux “live” CD or DVD version

This one’s quite fun and very easy to do!

You can work with a Linux “live” version by booting a system with a Linux live CD or DVD.

Just put the Linux live CD / DVD in your drive and start your system. As soon as your system boots, Linux will automatically start and run “live”. No installation required!

Linux Tip: If you don’t have a high-speed connection to download Linux, you can buy Linux on CD or DVD and have it mailed to you anywhere in the world for a surprisingly small amount of money.

5. Run Linux from within Windows

A free “player” version of Linux is the easiest and fastest way to get Linux running from within Windows, on an existing Windows system!

Just run Windows and download and install the free Linux “player” program and a free “player” version of Linux. This lets you easily run Linux from within Windows!

Run the player program and open the player version of Linux and you get a fully functional version of Linux running from within Windows!

Now you know how to get Linux running so you can get real, practical experience working with Linux!

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What is Phishing?

With so many of us online nowadays, it’s inevitable that criminals familiar with computer technology have found ways to take advantage of it to make money. The Internet is almost impossible to police, as it crosses so many international borders, and criminals can operate basically from anywhere there’s power and an internet connection. Phishing is just one of many schemes thought up by criminal minds to part us from our money.

Phishing is simply the scam of sending out a fake email in order to try and get the recipient to respond with private or financial information. You’ve probably received plenty of these - they pretend to come from a well known bank, tell you that someone has changed your password or that your account will be terminated if you don’t confirm your details, and give you a link to click on.

Of course if you do actually click on the link, you’ll be taken to a false website where the information you enter will be recorded and used to log in to your bank account or credit card and steal your money. In extreme cases, where the phishing attempt also gets private information such as your social security number, your whole identity may be stolen and used to apply for fake loans. Your financial and credit history can be ruined in literally hours, before you have any idea there’s something wrong.

How Do I Avoid Being Caught?

While this sounds terrible, there are things you can do to lessen the risk of your information being phished. The first, and most important, is to NEVER respond to an email that appears to come from your financial institution. It doesn’t matter how legitimate it looks, or whether it has the right logos in it. These businesses are well aware of the rapid spread of phishing, and the last thing they would do is confuse things by sending an email requesting your login details or for you to confirm a password. If in doubt, call your bank by looking up the phone number - don’t use any phone numbers included in the email - and ask them if the email is legitimate. Never click on any links or URLs contained in the email, don’t reply to the email, don’t acknowledge that you’ve received it - just hit the delete button as fast as possible.

When you’re visiting websites, always be wary of supplying too much private information. Only supply such information if you’re sure it’s a legitimate site that you’ve navigated to by yourself, and there should be a locked padlock logo in the bottom of the browser so you know the site is secure. Never enter this kind of information at a website you’ve reached by clinking on an email link.

What Type of Phishing Emails Can I get?

Phishing isn’t just limited to financial institutions. Many phishing scams imitate emails from eBay and well-known stores. They may appear to be a special offer, suggesting you click on the link to get a great deal on that particular item. The problem is that you’ll end up at a website designed to steal your information, not the store’s website. If you’re especially interested in the deal being offered, call the store and ask if it’s a genuine offer before clicking on anything.

If you do receive a suspicious email that you think is a phishing scam, it’s always helpful to notify the company that it appears to come from. Some businesses have specific addresses for receiving phishing notifications, but many simply use postmaster@theirURL. PayPal can be reached via spoof@paypal.com. You can also report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, although this mainly deals with the more threatening and widespread phishing scams.

The important thing to remember is that you should never click on an email link without checking with your bank first. It doesn’t matter how dire the consequences sound if you don’t do it - that’s all part of the scam. The more vigilant we all are, the less people will fall for phishing scams, and the better the chance that one day these criminals will give up and leave our inboxes alone.

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