Help Please

[jimmcd]

Before we go any further can I explain that I am new to photography and pp, so I apologise if this enquiry sounds really silly I have a sony alpha a200 and I shoot in RAW. I am at present using paintshop pro 8 for my pp (although I am getting photoshop very soon) The problem I am having is that when I transfer my pics from my camera to my computer they save as ARW and I cannot open these pics in paint shop to edit them. Can anyone help? Will using Photoshop solve my problem, Am I doing something wrong or am I just another newbie asking silly questions???
Jim.