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Why Read Reviews?

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Let's face it. Most children's software costs between $20-$40, and most retailers won't let you return an opened package. There is a lot of software to choose from. So how do you know what's good?

You read what other people think about it. There are magazines as well as web sites which are devoted to reviewing children's software. If you are a Mac user, I think checking out the web sites is the best bet because often the magazines are full of reviews for Windows only software. Why pay to read about a product you cannot use?

Won't reading the back of the box or the publisher's blurb on the web site do, you may ask? Nope, those aren't reviews; they are advertising blurbs. Their purpose is to entice you to buy the software, and often they don't give you a clear picture of what the software is like.

Many online retailers which sell software might feature customer reviews. These can be helpful, but often they are all too brief.

Your best bet is to check out some software review sites on the net. The Review Corner does a great job with keeping up with the newly released titles. This site also uses a rating system so you can see which titles are the best. Another good site is SuperKids software review. Their price comparison of software titles is especially helpful. Two other sites which feature reviews are Kids Domain and Review Zone. Keep your eye on my More Review Sites links as I am constantly hunting out new sites.

It's probably best to read more than one review before making a purchase. Why? Reviews are opinions, and everybody has one. Problem is not everybody agrees. Also different people look for different things in software. Some reviewers might praise the programs which are strong on academics. Others might prefer more innovative and creative programs. Inexperienced viewers might not fully recognize the merits of a program because they haven't seen enough titles to make a fair comparison. The opinions of "expert" reviewers aren't necessarily better than those written by parents or classroom teachers. The best reviews are written by people who have actually sat down with the kids while they play with the software.

As you become familiar with the review sites, you may find one site or a particular reviewer you connect with. Then you will feel better about trusting opinions from this source.

The bottom line is, consider each software purchase as an investment. Software is expensive and can't always be returned. Do a little research, read reviews from a trustworthy source, then make your decision. Doing this will greatly increase the chances of you and your children being happy with the software choice.

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