After you have finished doing that “Rough Draft” of typing out your thoughts, and have gone through the basics of checking grammar, margin settings, and a  “first Print” look, you may be inspired to add to your basic  letter. This may include adding a picture about your text typed communication, to either compliment the story line, or it may have been about talking about the picture in the first place, what matters is that you can use any simple software program to get started, and I will never stop saying this, “Get your thoughts down”, before the wording changes or  becomes lost.
For many of us, just  sending a message is the most important of anything sent or submitted. But, when it comes to events, celebrations, acknowledging occasions, and making moments impressionable, we look to make those thoughts creative. In my last blog, I already mentioned borders and frames, and even here, I wish to talk about including pictures, this is where looking for the limitations in the software used becomes a creative task. For the most part, I found the most basic program comes installed on any operating system, the “WordPad”. It does give you plenty of options of choosing text type, size, and adding files. In many ways, the WordPad can be used for any project, with limits on controlling placement of objects (pictures), and I found the need to physically type in the headers and Footers. In short, as long as you know what you want it to look like, you can use WordPad. But, it is mostly on you to make the placement and themes and styles are not included.
The next software that came with my Windows XP operating system was Microsoft Works. It is a personalized version of the much more complete version of Microsoft Office Suite. It also gives the novice a chance to see why many keep looking for a more professional Office Suite, rather than settle with the Works software. It does cost more, but it’s what I call a toolbox, or tool shed, of tools to create projects on the computer. In the Microsoft Works program, you can experiment with documents, spreadsheets, understanding or begin learning database structuring, and as a package, record your tasks or projects. The other thing I like about Works, is it gives the beginning user many “Templates” to use, or at least create ideas from. I only found  limits using Works in building a n outline, using Alpha-numeric structuring. But, staying with what I practicing what I preach, I start all my blogs and articles using Microsoft works, because I don’t need those “tools making noise”, and challenging me to setup the blank page first. No. Get your thoughts down first.
Its here, when writing short stories, business letters, or legal articles that having what limited “tools” that come with Microsoft Works” comes in handy (such as the Header and Footer found in the View Menu, in the Top bar of the opened file). If you wish to compare the Works program with WordPad, open both files, and size them on your monitor so you can toggle back and forth, and then explore the Menu bar choices of both, by clicking on file, then Edit, then View, and Insert, and so on. You will see there are more choices with the Works program, when it comes to including addresses from another file, adding footnotes to anything such as homework, and experiment with background themes of your article.
Working with Spreadsheets in Works gives you ideas of why it was built, but like using a WordPad program when writing, the Works software takes you  through manually  going through steps to creating a spreadsheet, when purchasing a professional software program, such as Microsoft Excel has many automated features built in as a standard. I still find exploring and working with Microsoft Works a great learning tool for anyone and everyone.  There is a big difference in operating a bicycle, as opposed to a car, bigger difference in driving a tractor trailer. More to learn and understand with each level of transportation, and more miles covered by  the larger vehicles as opposed to what can be done and traveled in over time on a bicycle. There, a concept of the differences in software, and what to explore as your current choice to work with, and explore in advancing later.
I personally found myself becoming a Microsoft product user, but there are other software manufacturers, such as Sunsystems “Star Office”, and Lotus, and other less named programs that all have other special focuses that attract consumers.  It takes the consumer to figure out what serves their purpose. After all, a VW beetle doesn’t help a family of six for any type of family outing. Driving an RV to do simple shopping weekly would be more a project than really needed for such a chore. Remember starting out with your first car? We’re you just happy with anything, or did you wait to find that perfect car that says ”ME”?
The concept here is that in this virtual world, you start out with what you can afford, and , “find out what this baby can do”. As you master what you have, you work your way to what will be more suitable to your needs.  No one ever told you to put away the bicycle, and come learn how to drive a Peter built Tractor. Of course, it may have been true to somebody, but it is not typical.
So, after you get your typing done, save it, and then explore ideas and the “tools” available that may enhance your message, or give ideas to future writings.

Always be willing to learn something new, and at another time, learn some more.