If you’re one of the lucky few who got a desktop or a laptop for Christmas, then you’re probably either testing its limits already or just toying with the BIOS settings. I sincerely hope that none of you are experiencing the second scenario. Needless to say, a software-less PC is as useless as a car without fuel.

Other than the operating system (assuming that your unit came with a bundled OS), computers that are fresh off the box don’t usually have any other installed application in it. Of course, installing software isn’t much of a problem. Present installation programs and procedures are already so simple that you’re participation in it is reduced to that mechanical task of clicking “yes” and “ok” mindlessly.

Many Alternatives to Expensive Software

However, all that simplified installation procedure that I’ve just babbled would be meaningless if you don’t have any software to install in the first place. Applications don’t come cheap these days. And don’t even entertain the thought of buying pirated programs. You’ll just court future headaches when the publisher of the software refuses to give you support or denies you essential updates or patches or using an unlicensed product.

But this doesn’t mean that you have to rush to an ATM just to have something to fill your hard drive with. Free applications abound in cyberspace. You don’t have to worry about not finding anything on the Net. On the contrary, the thing that will bother you is that there are too many free software out there that it’s difficult to filter the good ones from the bad.

Choose Wisely

You have to be very meticulous when choosing programs that do not come with a price tag. Many of them don’t deserve a kilobyte of your hard drive or a hertz of your multi-core processor. Worse, some of them might even be carrying an electronic plague.

Do some research on the program that you want to download. Don’t just rely on the lit that comes with the app. Look for unbiased and reputable reviews of the program, especially those coming from ordinary people like you. Their comments may be helpful and valuable.

You should also check if the free software is being sponsored by respected Web sites that offer downloading services, such as cnet and PC World. Both of them test and conduct thorough reviews of all the software that they make available on their Web site.

So is it wise to use and download free software from the Internet?  Well, the answer is a resounding “yes,” as long as you’re careful and wise enough to know which programs are safe, credible, and effective.

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