If you’re looking to get things done without having to fix the software you use or redo work that’s been lost due to a bug in or a crash caused by said software, then you should really be taking more care in which programs you’re choosing to invest in. The right software package could really help you in the long run when it comes to completing complex tasks efficiently, saving you time and money.
Firstly, it’s worth reading reviews, and several of them, from different publications and viewpoints (a consumer one always helps, too). Whether it’s spreadsheet software for an accounts job or a design suite to work on the layout of O2, it’s important to know that this is a renown, high-quality piece of software. For example, we have a map here on our site that’ll show you the thousands of people around the world who use our products, who likely talk about them, and it’s best to tap into that to know what people’s experiences with these products have been, people who aren’t necessarily journalists, software designers/developers or critics.
It’s also a good idea to test out a variety of options to find what works best. The same sort of software will often have the odd feature its competitors may not, and until you use them all to do the same sorts of tasks, you won’t know which will work best. You may even find that you end up using multiple software packages that do the same thing, depending on what features you need during that particular stage of the project. Your software needs may fluctuate, and the tools you have access to should support that. So look around, read views, pay attention to what users are saying, try or use multiple software packages, and generally use your research skills (Google, for most people) to find out what’ll work best. Good luck.