This book distinguishes between the "must-haves" and the "nice-to-haves" for both Macintosh and Windows platforms and recommends 298 "bargains" in children's shareware, freeware, and Web resources. The book is divided into two sections: The first section presents bargain-hunting strategies (chapters 1-5), and the second section lists and describes shareware, freeware, and Internet resources (chapters 6-8). Chapter 1 discusses solutions to budget problems, including the promise and expense of computers; the shareware solution; reconciling expectations and fiscal reality; and new library services. Chapter 2 describes shareware (and its no-cost companion, freeware) and discusses online tools for learners, educators, and librarians; costs and currency; viruses; and uses of shareware and freeware for public and school libraries, classrooms and computer labs, and library staff, teachers and administrators. Chapter 3 focuses on finding shareware on the Internet; connectivity; commercial online services; bulletin board systems; and compressed files. Chapter 4 discusses tagging programs to the curriculum and chapter 5 presents cost-effective strategies for using CD-ROMs in the library and classroom. Chapters 6, 7, and 8, respectively, focus on Macintosh shareware and freeware; IBM-PC (personal computer) shareware and freeware; and World Wide Web, Gopher and FTP sites. Contains an index of software and online sources. (AEF)