Computers, like all farm machinery, last longer and perform better with regular maintenance. Rural residents of the Palouse tend to be self-reliant, so it figures a good many attend to their computers, rather than driving long distances to have a computer expert do routine maintenance.

However, how does a computer novice choose PC software to keep their equipment in optimum condition?

Prevention of problems can be cost-effective, and just as each farmer determines maintenance care and protection of farming equipment, each computer owner sets their priority about maintenance and prevention.

I've experienced a virus-damaged computer, and subsequently followed a friend's advice to buy and install Trend Micro, a software product designed for that problem. I had no regrets, but once, in a cost-cutting frenzy, I switched to a free anti-virus program. Although I have friends who swear by freebie software, before long I decided Trend Micro gave me more peace of mind. Like many PC software products, a free version is available, but I opt to pay the cost of a licensed version: Trend Micro Titanium guards my computers today.

Recently, iolo offered Licensed copies of System Mechanic, free for a give-away. I knew nothing about PC software designed to keep a computer running fast, smooth, and error-free.

Could it be useful to rural residents of the Palouse? I was undecided.

Here are the steps I followed, and what I learned that guided my decision:

1.)

• Store clerks with sufficient technical training, who keep up-to-date with the fast-changing software industry, are fast and helpful. However, finding one you trust is learned over a period of time of working with and taking their advice.
• Computer-savvy friends can be good resources.
• You can also find real experts in the tech world, but highly educated techs disparage computer-enhancement and\or maintenance software. They use other methods to fix computer problems. It's their occupation. Some offer training.
• Visit forums that discuss computer software.
• Visit websites like Wired magazine.
• Read good computer magazines.

2.)

• When you want to educate yourself before choosing software, online software reviews can be your best resource.
• However, you'll have to read carefully and make value judgments.
• Software round-ups are not equally well researched and tested.
• Product reviews that focus on only one software-function and ignore multi-functions do customers an injustice.
• Advertising, promotions and sponsors heavily influence some reviews.
• Some reviewers, like Software Industry Report, provide information about themselves and their funding sources on their About Us page.
• Website owners' bios may be misleading, and a website's appearance also can fool you. (i.e., this e-newspaper isn't the creation of a corporation, or even a business, as you may believe.)

3.)

• Keeping those caveats in mind, visit popular sites such as Amazon, Buy.com,  Newegg, cNet, and PC World, and scroll past products in the category you're researching to find customer reviews, or comments.

4.)

• Take the extra time to read full reviews. Examples given concern iolo's System Mechanic, such as these at Amazon .
• Click all review links, and scroll to the bottom of each page.
• My search at Buy.com located interesting reviews.
• Newegg.com was easy. Choosing Software from the list brought a search box. I typed in iolo System Mechanic, and scrolled far down the page to customer feedback. I also noted each reviewer's expertise.
• Next I followed pretty much the same procedure at PC World, and also read Reviewer's Reviews.

5.)

• Check multiple review resources and pay attention to review and feedback details.
• Read both happy and dissatisfied customer feedback.
• In my example, everything was coming up roses, until I got to cNet where I read, "Does System Mechanic Have a Good Toolbox?" That question suggests that other similar products have differences to also consider, depending on what specifically you expect of a software product. (The review rated only one of 53 tools iolo's System Mechanic contains, software used by 40 million customers.) About halfway down the page, Customer comments demonstrate that even software used by millions isn't right for every one.

6.)

• Take note also of the awards you find on a product's website, and understand their significance.
• Read all text included with award icons. Ie: on iolo's website, CNET's text says, "A better selection of tools and technical support than Norton SystemWorks."
• It's time-consuming to check each award source, but if you really want the nitty gritty, Google at least a few. For example, Government Computer News (GCN shown on iolo.com,) only required typing "iolo" into GCN's search box to find the review.

7.)

• Use the website's "Contact."
• Don't be surprised if you don't receive a reply. Many requests for information go unanswered.
• Software manufacturers who provide Live Chat in their Support Services are your best choice. Some email you a copy of your Chat. You can also copy the Chat before signing off, and save it into a Word.doc for later reference.

I wish I'd learned where and how consumers find out which review sites are marketing channels: Corporate conglomerates selling a product. Or how a consumer can spot them to avoid falling prey to advertising, promotions and sponsors influence. I wish I could tell you how consumers can trust that cNet is the only site mentioned here that is not a "marketing channel" and not influenced in any way by any software company, as claimed, except that a computer expert said cNet is open source (*Visit Wikipedia.)

However, despite not having those answers, or what other tips can help novices sort out software that works from software that doesn't, I'm glad I endeavored to learn what I could. It convinced me that consumers do better if they research before they buy. However, it's still not foolproof and can't guarantee they will avoid disappointment.

Contest rules and deadline will be published tomorrow. Eligibility is limited to Palouse area residents specified in the rules, and please give Palouse hometown guys and gals serving in America's armed forces overseas a heads up that they are eligible to enter the contest.

Enter as soon as the contest opens!

Be A Winner: 24 Prizes of System Mechanic, The #1 Best-Selling PC Performance Software.

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