Are there good manuals or help files available?
One of the first places to begin is by determining where you can get help when you need it. This can be in the form of a printed manual or with online help files. Sometime there are also other sites that may have help suggestions or user support groups. Doing a search of the Internet may produce a listing of those places with answers to the questions that you might have.

How do I install the software?
The first step in using any piece of software involves installing it. The software will run the most efficiently on the fastest hard drive on your computer. Most computers have only one hard drive (on the PC this is the "C" drive). Installing the program on your hard drive rather than running it off the CD or off of the network tends to allow it to run at a faster speed. Installing and registering the software is generally handled quite well by the product's documentation. Keep in mind that many programs allow custom installations that my provide you with the option of installing additional or fewer files.

How do I create new documents?
After launching an application, you will need to determine how to create new documents or projects. This can be done one of three ways. Either by 1) creating a new document from scratch (generally found under the "file" menu or by clicking on a specific button), 2) using an existing template that matches the parameters of the project you are working on, or 3) by copying an existing document and editing it to make it work for your needs (keeping in mind the evils of plagiarism).

How and where do my files save?
Saving files is critical for future use of those documents. An important first set of issues involves where the files save and how much space do those files take. Sometimes there can be issues with files saved on the local server vs. The drive of your computer. It is almost always the case that you will want to work on files that exist on your hard drive rather than on an external network server. IF your file might be large, be sure to save them on a drive that has the necessary available space. Keep in mind that when you save your work on a Mac to be used by PC, you will want to save documents with the proper .xxx file designation.

Are there any specific-program requirements for saving files?
How documents and files are saved can be important when it comes to their proper running. For example with Web pages, it is important to save graphics and other page elements in the folders from which they will be accessed. Therefore saving every page element in the same folder and only moving the entire folder is critical in order not to have broken links. In iMovie, how and where you save files can be important for how you are able to access those files for movie use. You must save all relevant clips in the same folder. An important tip for using all software; save early and save often!

Are there shortcuts in the program that can save you time?
Many programs allow you to save, create new documents, open existing files etc. by using shortcuts. Frequently these shortcuts are noted in the menus next to the menu item. Learning these early on can save you a considerable amount of time. With Macs this tends to involve the Apple or Command key in conjunction with at least one other key, Withe PC this tends to involve the

Are there popup menus or toolbars that you can tear off to save you time?
Another time saving suggestion is to determine whether you can display toolbars, menus or toolboxes that will allow you faster access to the tools that you need without having to pull down a menu each time.

Can you customize the preferences?
Most programs allow you to set preference with regards to many of the interface elements. Frequently this means such program elements as viewing, saving, editing, color level, and template preferences? The preference item is generally found at the bottom of the "edit" menu.

Is there a spell check function for checking your work?
As you begin to complete your work, you will want to determine if there is the capacity to check the spelling and possibly the grammar. While not all programs perform this function, it is increasingly available. The location of this option varies with each application.

Can you import or export work?
Many applications allow the importing and exporting of documents or media elements. You will want to note which format of graphic, sound, or other media are compatible with your program. A large number of applications now can export your work as a Web page, you will want to check on this capacity.

How much can you "undo" changes that you have made?
Almost every application currently allows you to "undo" many of the keyboard or menu actions. Some programs allow multiple or almost unlimited levels of undo for your work. This undo function allows you to test additions or edits and can be very useful. It is important to know how many levels are available on a specific program.

General Menu Information

File
Generally contains the elements that control the opening and saving of documents, the creation of new documents and folders, the page setup and printing of documents and the quitting of the application.

Edit
Generally contains the elements controlling the editing of documents such as cut, copy, paste, delete, select all, find, duplicate and sometimes spell checking. This is also where you tend to find the preferences.

View or Window
Generally contains the controls for how the documents or files look in the application. This is where you find the control to zoom in or out on the pages, where you can look at outlines or layouts, or where you can access the toolbar controls.

Format
Generally contains the text formatting elements such as the fonts, style, size structure etc.

Tools
Generally contains the application specific controls. With Browsers this tends to be where to go or favorites and bookmarks, with graphics programs this tends to be effects elements, with word processing it tends to be formatting elements and items like thesaurus, dictionary, document merging, tables etc., with web design programs this tends to be design elements such as links, anchors, tables, and HTML formatting.

Help
Generally contains the actual files or links to online help files. The best place to start when you have application questions