THE Internet is about the only place you can get something for nothing.

If you are after some new software, whether it be virus protection or a word processing package, the web will have something for you.

Many, such as Download.com (www.download.com) work like traditional book

libraries and offer software for a limited time.

If you like what you see of this 'shareware' and want to carry on using it, you can pay a registration fee.

But if you don't want to pay anything look out for 'freeware' and you'll get software for nothing.

You won't get the fancy packaging and manuals that come with shop-bought

software, and there is little in the way of technical

support.

And look out for programs that come with an

uninstaller, so if things go wrong, you can delete the software.

Another site that is also useful to drop in on is ZDNet Downloads (www.sdnet.com/downloads).

This site is overseen by one of the largest IT magazine publishing companies, so there's lots of of information.

The site picks out what's new, most popular and also free - all laid out as if you were walking into a library.

Every program is described in detail and has been rated and reviewed by visitors to the site, which is a very useful feature.

Other sites offering free software include www.jumbo.com and www.download.net.