Klue, once you get started on your Dear Jane, I think you will find both the book and the software a necessity (Joann's is where I found the best price on the software).
I use the Dear Jane EQ software to print the paper-piecing patterns, but I use the book more for the pieced and appliqued blocks. The author of the Dear Jane book drafted the blocks to size and gives helpful hints about constructing the blocks, but it's up to each person to decide the best way for them to do each individual block. Dear Jane might be a difficult project for a beginner because designs are not explained in detail; but for a more experienced quilter, it's very interesting and challenging.