Q: What are the things I should be looking for when purchasing a computer monitor?
MD, via e-mail
A: Size is often the single biggest factor but there are several others. Check that any screen's contrast level is at least 500:1 and that it has enough video inputs for all your kit. Pricier brands do tend to deliver sharper, more vivid, images with less shimmer. To avoid overpaying, though, consider your own needs. Is this to be a workhorse for documents or will you play video games on it? This will help you to weigh up the merits of, say, a better warranty versus a fast response rate of 8 milliseconds or less.
Go for the highest native resolution (as opposed to one that's artificially scaled up by digital means) that you can afford. Finally, don't underestimate the value of a highly adjustable stand.
Q: I cannot get my new internet radio to work on my home wi-fi network, despite entering the correct username and password. Can you assist me?
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J O'N, Republic of Ireland
A: Wi-fi radios deliver more stations than DAB models and often better sound quality too. The snag is that they can be fiddly to set up.
The solution to your problem might be as simple as adjusting the firewall setting on your computer. It may also be that the radio isn't compatible with the type of wi-fi security used by the rest of your network. You can check this in your wi-fi router's control panel via a web browser on a computer and then, if necessary, change it.
Write down the old settings before you begin tinkering so you can revert to them if it doesn't work.
Note that older standards of wi-fi security - notably WEP - are less secure than newer variants. Switching the type of security you're using will also force you to reset any other wi-fi equipment currently on your network. It may be more trouble than it's worth.
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