Downloads /programs You Will Need
(at least for these hints):

Word

Wordpad or Notepad

Kindle Previewer

EITHER Mobipocket Convertor and Mobipocket Reader

OR Calibre (this is the one I ended up using)

If necessary,free-up memory space by housecleaning your computer to get rid of unused programs before you start the downloads. The downloads aren’t huge, but many computers chug along under a load of unused programs, so you should check on available space first.  Be careful, however, about which programs you uninstall. If necessary, ask some tech-savvy person to help you decide what can safely be trashed. (Unused games, programs you installed to use once years ago, etc.)