In referring to computer software by publisher and program name, should the names of programs be treated like the titles of books, and formatted in italics? Microsoft Word or Microsoft Word?
I think it would depend on the style guide you're supposed to use. I've never seen Word italicized. It's just treated as a proper noun. Apparently video games (artistic, licensed software) would be italicized, in general, but other software such as operating systems, browsers, aren't, at least what I've seen.
Since this is for a book I'm writing and self-publishing, I don't have to follow any style guide. And, as usual, this is one of those situations on which the major style guides don't agree. So I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I think I'll italicize.
