What software should I use to open RAW images in Windows?

I have a Nikon D3000 and I always put it on the highest quality, not RAW but the one below it which I think is large or HI or something like that but my mom puts her Rebel XSi on RAW however she owns an apple so it shouldn't e a problem for her. She usually likes to use aperture. Now do you guys know of any software's that I can use to open the pictures she sent me and also can you please tell me if RAW is any better that Jpeg?

You have a couple of choices.

If you are a student, you can buy Lightroom 4 for under $100 in your student store. That is the program that shooters use to process RAW image files.

Adobe has a free program that converts RAW files into DNG files and just about any photo program can open and process a DNG file.

RAW files are contained the most data, so are capable of providing you the best images.

Nikon D3000 digital SLR 10.2mp
http://www.nikonusa.com/...D3000.html

Raw (NEF) files are always better for quality and processing, they contain full data in files, those files if you notice, will be larger in file size, comparatively 20 mb approx. To jpeg 4 mb,

if you do use Nef raw images, they will need to be converted to jpg for web use later or print and sharing,

Aperture is part of Mac Apple ware, geared for Raw and other formats
http://www.apple.com/.../aperture/

Nikon D3000 should come with its own software for mac/ and PC/win, that will be able to open NEF files, and assist in in edit or exporting to jpg, check for ViewNX or Capture NX 2
http://www.nikonusa.com/...iewNX.html
http://www.nikonusa.com/...-NX-2.html
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Adobe would use Lightroom for similar use of Aperture,
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
http://www.adobe.com/...lightroom/
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freeware would be Gimp with Ufraw plugin
Gimp - image editor,
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html
UFRaw -for Gimp
http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/index.html
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Corel AfterShot Pro
http://www.corel.com/...rod4670071
SILKYPIX Developer Studio
http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/
SilverFast DC - Digital Camera Software for Mac & Windows
http://www.silverfast.com/digital-camera-software/
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I use Adobe Lightroom on my Windows machine to process and manage my RAW files.

http://aviewfinderdarkly.com.au/2011/11/23/which-photoshop-is-the-best-software-for-photographers/

I also have Photoshop elements on my Mac.

Processing the RAW image data into a JPEG file involves making decisions about the image data and only keeping some of the data. You can use the automatic program in your camera to make the JPEG or get all the data and make the decisions yourself using software such as Lightroom.

http://aviewfinderdarkly.com.au/2012/04/16/save-digital-photos-as-raw-or-jpeg/