=Recommendation.= Does the program come from a reputable source, or does it come with a recommendation from someone you trust? =Effectiveness.= Does the program do what you want it to do correctly and consistently? =Where to Look for Good Software= Where do you find good software? Some farmers and ranchers write their own programs or pay a programmer to write a custom program. But most get existing programs either from State Extension sources or from commercial outlets. Many operations farmers need to perform on a computer can be done by using generalized software packages readily available through commercial sources. Check with your County Extension Agent. He or she may know of the programs that have been tailored for your operation. The Extension Service has published a directory of agricultural software programs produced by State Extension Services, entitled "Updated Inventory of Agricultural Computer Programs."[A] [Footnote A: To order a copy, send $3.50, payable to the University of Florida, to Administrative Services Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Bldg. 664 University of Florida Gainesville, FL ] There are also various private directories of software that is compatible for particular equipment. You can get these programs at computer stores or through mail-order sources. Many trade journals carry ads of agricultural software vendors. The land-grant university in your State may have computer programs available for farmers at nominal cost. Many States have produced extensive computer software. There are also many commercial software houses that produce computer programs in the field of agriculture. The best programs are written by people who combine strong expertise in the agricultural subject matter with the ability to write good computer programs that are relatively "friendly" or easy to use. The 1980's have seen a big jump in the number, quality, and friendliness of agricultural software. But you still need to evaluate carefully the programs you are considering. Remember that software selection and evaluation are important factors to consider when planning a computer system for your farm. =Compatibility Counts= Computers and marriages should share one thing in common: Compatibility. If it's not there, the system won't work. Not all hardware and software are compatible. In fact, hundreds of producers of computer equipment and computer programs are in the market, and there are few across-the-board standards. So it's important to get hardware and software that are compatible. Software, or the computer programs themselves, are not like records that can be played on any record player. They have to be compatible with the hardware in terms of the programing language used, operating system, size, format, and other factors. Try to find a store in your area where you will get the expertise you need to obtain the right combination of software and hardware to meet your needs.