Fritz, Hierarcs, Chessbase, Etc... Which one?

Hello,

I am trying to find a good training software that can help me sharpen my skills as a player.  The problem is that I know very little about where to go and what to order.  For example, I am trying to work on Tactical skill/Chess Visualization and have read that the best way to improve visualization is to use a good chess program such as the following.....

......I found Fritz 12 to be excellent for that. It has a calculating section that prevents the pieces from moving but records the moves as you make them out. The idea of verbally saying the moves and visualising in your minds eye is greatly strengthened. After three weeks my visualising skills improved remarkedly.

My question is, what is the difference between Fritz (or is it Fritz Trainer?), Hierarcs, Shredder, Chessbase, etc. programs?  Also what are ones that you recommend for training (obivously in addition to analysis)?.  I have read that Fritz is good but what specifically makes each of these more appealing over others as far as capability.  You need not tell me that one has the best engine in the world.  I am a sub par player who is more interested in training capability than what's the best.  Please, any suggestions are welcome and please focus on the topic.  I've seen too many times that 5 posts are put and then the forum degrades to prideful ramblings  

Regards,

-TheKnightOne

Thanks for the information.... anyone else on the specific questions I had above?  To clarify, when I say training, I have seen that things like fritz 12, chessbase, hierarcs, and shredder can be used specifically for training purposes....

I recently started looking more seriously at chess software to improve my game.  Specifically, I wanted the following features:

1. Maintain a database of my games
2. Allow me to import games and and make my own annotations
3. Perform an analysis of my games using a chess engine (I am not obsessed with the strength of the engine as I believe ANY of the engines will be significantly higher then my skill... mostly concerned with identifying blunders, mistakes and inaccuracies).
4. "Opening explorer" that allows me to see typical responses in a particular opening position (this is not analysis and does not use an engine).  Once you're past book openings this feature doesn't show anything.

I use HIARCS for Mac and have also installed the Stockfish engine (i.e. I can use HIARCS GUI and features and anything requiring an engine can choose the engine to use).  I like the features of HIARCS for managing my games, browsing openings and performing analysis.  A nice feature would be a warning for blunders and mistakes.

There is HIARCS for Windows as well.  Fritz has similar features and many more (including the warnings for blunders/mistakes).  I think Shredder is popular too but haven't used it.

I use Chess.com for tactics puzzles, lessons and play.

Correction: HIARCS does have a "coach/trainer" mode when playing a game.  This will warn you when you have made a blunder or mistake.  It's only noticeable when you are playing a game.

I bought HIARCS Chess Explorer for Windows and like it a lot. I can also heartily recommend Perfect Chess Database and Perfect Chess Trainer.