Q What’s the best way for me to share my internet connection with my neighbours?

Mel Kenyon, via e-mail

A First, ensure that your ISP allows this. Then consider factors such as security, range and performance. With a Hotspot Kit (£316 from www.solwise.co.uk), you can set up a local WiFi wireless hot spot, but you’ll need an antenna to reach all your neighbours. See tinyurl.com/94kk4, as they know about community wireless projects. Go to www.publicip.net for free community hot-spot software.

SCAN THE SKYPE

Q What is Skype and will it work with my Windows 95 computer?

Barbara Harrison, via e-mail

A Skype (www.skype.com) is the best known of the voice and text chat programs that enable you to talk to people over your net connection — a technology known as VoIP. You install the software once on both computers (Windows 95 is fine), then call each other by clicking on a username within the program. You’ll need a microphone and speakers, or a headset, but these computer-to-computer calls are free.

VoIP will always be better over a broadband connection than dial-up.

A YEAR IN PIXELS

Q How can I make a calendar with my digital photographs?

Niall McCaughan, Derry

A You can create calendar layouts with a free program called CalendarPainter (tinyurl.com/czjdb). It allows for some customisation, and you can choose between one, three or 12 months to a page, though you’re limited to only one frame shape. For a more professional finish, try EZ Photo Calendar Creator 4 (£11 from tinyurl.com/cgjqg; or free trial).

You can create calendars in many designs, for wall-hanging, for a desktop, even for a CD case.

NO TIME TO RUN

Q Why do I keep receiving a message saying that a “runtime error has occurred”?

Harri Shergill, via e-mail

A This problem is usually caused by coding errors on the web page you are visiting. Check if the problem occurs on a particular site or many different ones. It may also be that your browser cache is corrupt. Try deleting it by opening Internet Explorer and going to Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files. Or you may be the victim of spyware. Run a check by downloading a good spyware detector, such as Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com).

THE DROP ZONE

Q How can I distribute large video-clip files by e-mail?

Geoff Davies, via e-mail

A E-mail services were not designed to move large files around, so it’s quite common that they won’t send anything greater than a few megabytes as an attachment. I have given up on e-mail for this kind of task, and now employ one of the popular temporary file-forwarding services. For example, you can upload your file free at www.dropload.com, then send your would-be recipients an e-mail with a link to the file so they can download it at their leisure.

VISTA OF THE FUTURE

Q What is PVP-OPM?

Keith Rapado, via e-mail

A Protected Video Path Output Protection Management is a form of copy protection that will accompany Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows Vista. Designed to prevent pirates from copying high-definition television or HD DVDs from a computer, it blocks the picture on any monitor that doesn’t handle proper copy protection. In future, to watch HD on your computers you will need to upgrade to Vista, and invest in a new PVP-OPM-capable monitor. More at tinyurl.com/d4n3m.

dontpanic@sunday-times.co.uk

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