With Andrew Hardy, Director of Brighton based Rivendell Software

Q: I have a computer at home I use to access the internet. I would like a faster connection than my modem currently offers but I am unsure of what service to go for. There seems to be so many buzzwords - ADSL, ISDN, cable modems. Which one should I opt for?

A: We are somewhat disadvantaged in the South with regards to fast, cost-effective internet access. ADSL, a new technology from BT, will provide very fast internet access that is unmetered and will cost around £50 per month but will not be rolled out in the South for some time. NTL provide cable modem connections elsewhere in the country for £40 per month, again unmetered. But here in the South, Cable & Wireless (recently bought by NTL) provide very little in the way of broadband internet access to the home user. Presently your best bet is to sign up for BT's Home-Highway (www.bt.com). This is not as good as ADSL but you will be given the chance to upgrade when ADSL becomes available sometime next year.

Q: Should I leave my computer on all the time or turn it off?

A: This is a perennial question about many items of electrical equipment. In my opinion, with the exception of servers that are in use all the time, computers should be turned off when you are not using them (this includes standby or sleep modes). By turning off your computer you are not only saving electricity but many desktop PCs are prone to power-supply failure if left running continuously (the fan usually breaks down, leading to the power supply overheating).

Q: How can I find out how fast my internet connection really is?

A: Many 56k modems rarely connect faster than 48k. To find out your connection speed, visit www.computingcentral.msn.com/topics/bandwidth/speedtest.asp where your connection speed will be tested and the results shown on a web page. Another good test is at www.2wire. com/dlp/dlp_bandwidth.html Q: I have a new Epson Stylus Photo 1200 printer and use Adobe Photoshop to print my scanned pictures. When I click on print I get huge grainy pictures yet I know it is possible to get photographic quality from my printer. What am I doing wrong?

A: The likely cause is you are printing images that are low-resolution. You should ensure the image is at least 300dpi (dots per inch) and is the correct size. To check, click on the 'Image Size' item in the 'Image' menu of Adobe Photoshop. You should also ensure your printer is set correctly when you print. Try clicking on the printer properties in the print dialog and setting the output quality to high. If you have any glossy 'photo' paper, set the paper type to glossy or photo inkjet paper.