This guide is intended to assist basic skills and/or literacy instructors, administrators, and tutors in selecting appropriate educational software, hardware, and instructional systems. Discussed first are the software evaluation process on which the guide is based, the evaluation form used, and the guide's organization. Section 2 lists the more than 200 software products evaluated. Each product's curriculum area, rating on a four-point scale, instructional level, and price are included. Presented in section 3 is a matrix of 28 featured software products that includes information on each product's cost, curriculum area, program method, instructional level, and hardware requirements. In section 4, the same featured products are described in greater depth, and their strengths and weaknesses are detailed. The following large computer-assisted instruction systems are discussed in section 5: Computer Curriculum Corporation, Comprehensive Competencies Program, Classworks, Computer Systems Research, INVEST, Pathfinder, PLATO, WASATCH, and WICAT. Included in the discussion are brief descriptions of each system, a checklist for evaluating and comparing different systems, and information on system integration. Section 6 is a resource guide that includes the following: a glossary, answers to commonly asked questions about hardware, a listing of 130 publishers supplying software for adult applications, and an annotated list of 10 periodicals discussing technology and its applications to adult basic skills. (MN)