HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Software refers to the programs your computer uses to perform the actions you want it to. Learn all about computer software, from Web browsers to the latest operating systems, with our explanations, reviews, videos and prices.
You can copy songs from any CD, or an entire CD to your computer, using Windows Media Player. Learn how to rip a CD using Windows Media Player in this article.
Manage your music as you’d like by converting files to different formats. Learn how to convert an mp3 file to wav file in this article.
Understanding data is a critical business tool. Learn how data mining and data warehousing are related in this article.
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Your registry file gets cluttered the more you use your computer. Learn whether you can find free registry cleaners in this article.
You need to make a table on Microsoft Word, but you’re not sure how to do it. Learn about how to make a table on Microsoft Word in this article.
You need to make a timeline in Microsoft Word 2007, but you’re not sure how to do it. Learn about how to make a timeline in Microsoft Word 2007 in this article.
You need to make a graph in Excel, but you’re not sure how to do it. Learn about how to make a graph in Excel in this article.
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Microsoft Excel is an advanced spreadsheet program that enables you to keep track of and display data in many ways, including bar graphs. Learn how to make a bar graph in Excel from this article.
A brochure is an excellent way to promote your business, organization, service or institution, and Microsoft Word 2007 is an excellent to make one. Read this article to learn how to make a brochure in Microsoft Word 2007.
You need to make a data table, but you’re not sure how to do it. Learn about how to make a data table in this article.
Google's new operating system is designed to be faster and to require less maintenance than existing OSes. What will you give up in return? Will you be running it on your everyday machine?
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If you have overflowing to-do lists and find yourself missing appointments and forgetting deadlines, time management software might be for you. How can these programs help you make the best use of your time?
Some say the reason people steal software is because of its cost. But it turns out there are many reasons why people pirate computer programs. Is there any effective way to prevent software piracy?
File sharing is a controversial and, in many cases, illegal pastime. Sites that track BitTorrent files are already magnets for scrutiny. But with a name like The Pirate Bay, you know the site will get extra attention.
Computer hardware continues to get faster, seemingly in accordance with Moore's Law. But an axiom known as Wirth's Law says that software is getting slower even more quickly. Why?
By John Fuller
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As they branch out into other fields, tech giants Google and Microsoft are engaged in a full-scale turf war. Which one -- if either -- will come out on top?
To broadcast the 2008 Summer Olympic Games online, American broadcast network NBC chose Microsoft Silverlight. Can it beat Adobe Flash and set a new standard?
is well-known for Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator and other design software. So why did the company release AIR, a software development platform?
By John Fuller
Microsoft's Genuine Advantage Notifications system can help users identify pirated Microsoft software. Learn more about GAN in this article.
By Dave Roos
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Data integration is a simple idea, but the process can be quite complex. Once a computer gets information from a user, how does it know what to do next?
What if you could access all your software and files from any computer? If you use a Web operating system, all you need is a Web browser and the Internet.
Plain and simple, productivity software takes our ideas and makes them a reality. These programs will help you get the job done. But how much of the work do they actually do?
LimeWire is a peer-to-peer file sharing system that features music and other media downloads shared between users. Learn about LimeWire in this article.
By Dave Roos
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Content-recognition software does a lot more than just help you find that song you heard while shopping. It serves as a watchdog for copyright infringement, thus eliminating some of the toil of countless human workers scouring websites and other public spaces.
A study published in February 2007 shows that through brain scans and corresponding computer software, researchers are able to read people's intentions with great accuracy. Find out how they did it and what it means for the future of "private thoughts."
By Julia Layton