Q: I've got a computer running Windows 2000. When I try to use some software which works when my colleague logs on, it won't run.

I keep getting "file access permissions" errors. Can you help?

A: When you log into Windows 2000, you have to type in your username and a password. Log in with the username "administrator" (if you know the password) and change the permissions on the folder the software is in.

To do this, right click on the folder, select Properties and then Security. Select your username from the list and give yourself "full control" security permissions. Be careful, though, because that will mean you could delete the programme, stopping other users from running it.

If you're the only one using the computer, you could add your normal username to the Administrator group. This will automatically give you full control security permissions for everything. To do this, open the control panel and select Users and Passwords. Double click on your username, click Group Membership and select Administrators from the drop down menu.

Q: A group of friends and I have started up our own club and we would like to be able to have a meeting place online where we can chat to each other and swap files. Do you have any advice?

A: There are several places where you can do this. One of the most popular is Yahoo! Groups (http://groups. yahoo.co.uk), which lets you set up your own group and control who is allowed to join. The group then provides facilities such as a chat room, an e-mail list to send messages to all members and space to put files for sharing.

Q: I've heard scare stories about people getting ripped off when buying things over the internet. Is online shopping really safe?

A: I recommend these precautions:

Try to shop from online stores that have real shops on the High Street.

If you are using a credit card to pay online, check for the padlock icon at the bottom of your browser. If this is not present, you do not have a secure connection and your details may be intercepted by a third party.

Use a credit card that insures you against online fraud.

Make sure you keep a record of any details sent back to you.

Q: I'd like to put a web page about my friends and myself on the internet but I don't know where to start.

A: Your internet service provider (ISP) will almost certainly provide you with the ability to publish your own web pages to the internet and they should provide reasonably comprehensive instructions on their web site. Microsoft Word will save a document that you have created as a web page, not technically the best solution but it is one of the most accessable. A better alternative is to use software designed for the job: a simple web page editor comes with the free software Netscape Communicator. Netscape will publish your web page to the appropriate place on the internet once you have worked what that is from your ISP and have typed the appropriate information into Netscape.

Martin McIlhagga is from software company Sigmer