What you should know before you buy...

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What you should know before you buy...

By Aaron Colman
http://www.mysoftwaretoys.com

There's nothing worse than buying the software you need for
your business and finding out there's a catch. Remember to
ask about these key details.

1 - Return policy

What if the package doesn't do what you need? Or something
suddenly changes and you can't use it? Are you stuck with
it or can you return it?

2 - Support

What if the installation is tricky and you need help? Can
you find some? What if there's a problem and you need some
help along the way, is there someone to contact? Is it a
telephone number or just an email address?

3 - System requirements

If it requires PHP 4.0 and MySQL 4.0, will it also work on
PHP 5.0 if that's what your server has? If it needs to
install a crontab, do you have access to that? If it needs
512mb of RAM and you only have 256mb will it work? Make
sure you detail each requirement and that you have each.

4 - Updates

How are updates handled? Are there any at all? If a new
version comes out will it cost you money to upgrade, or
will it be available for download somewhere? Will the
download automatically install itself or will you need to
handle it yourself?

5 - Copyrights

Do you have the right to use the software as you choose or
will you suddenly find yourself limited by legalities? Does
the person selling the software to you have the rights to
do this? A lot of 3rd parties sell software on a discount,
but when it shows up you find that the keys are pirated.
Not only are you out of luck when it comes to calling the
helpdesk, you're also exposing yourself to legal problems.
If you're purchasing software that grants you a license to
use it, what does that license entail?

6 - Does it do what you need?

You get a new bookkeeping program only to realize that it
doesn't support the method you're using. Does it specially
have what you need?

7 - What's it cost?

Cost is always an issue, usually the first question that
comes up. But in reality you might find that paying an extra
$20 now saves you $100's later on. More often than not
"cheap software" is worth what you pay for it. Of course you
can't pay thousands for something that should only cost afew
hundred, nor should you pay hundreds for something that can
be had for $29.95 on some other site. Naturally you should
do your homework, but provided you've asked the questions
above you can be a little less concerned about risking your
hard-earned money.

Hopefully armed with the right information you'll be better
prepared to avoid the pitfalls and risks and scammers while
getting what you need when you need it.

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