Q: Sometimes when I use my mouse, the arrow on the screen moves in a jerky way. How can I stop this from happening?

A: This is a housekeeping problem. You will need to open your mouse and clean its innards. This can easily be done by turning it upside down. There, you will be able to see a piece of plastic that holds the ball in place. If you turn this anti-clockwise, it should drop out with the ball. Use a slightly damp (but not wet) cotton bud to clean the rollers you will find inside the mouse.

Once you have replaced the ball, all should be well. If you have cleaned the ball and the problem remains, then you may need to replace your mouse. But be aware, some mice don't use a ball.

Q: I have an Apple iMac at home but my work machine is a PC. What's the easiest way to transfer files between them?

A: Probably the easiest way to transfer documents is to email them to your home email account if you have one. Another way is to use a floppy disc or a zip disc.

The iMac doesn't come with a floppy-disc drive or a zip drive so you'll need to buy one. I'd recommend the zip drive. You should be able to get one for about £100.

If you do buy one, make sure it's compatible with your iMac and only use discs formatted for the PC. Your iMac will be able to use these but your PC cannot read Mac-formatted zip discs.

Q: I need to buy a new home computer. How much should I spend and what accessories do I really need?

A: This question is almost impossible to answer, as I don't know what you want to use the computer for. What I can do is tell you what most people opt for and why. Computers are now so fast that you need a very good reason to buy a top-of-the-range machine. Currently, an entry-level machine is a 1Ghz P3 or P4.This is sufficient for most peoples needs. Most reputable companies will provide packages for games, multi-media, internet access and home office.

This is the best way to get what you need. Always buy more memory than they offer you - 50 per cent more is good and 100 per cent more should be enough for anything. Try to go for a slightly larger and higher-quality monitor, if you can afford it, as these things are more important than processor speed. You will probably end up spending £600 to £1000.

Q: I want to design my own web site. I'm reasonably up on using the computer. What software should I use?

A: There is more than one answer to this question. Some word processors will save in web format (HTML) and this is the easiest way to get started, but it can make web pages that wont display on all web browsers. Professional packages can take some time to learn but will produce better results. It is worth checking the discs that came with your computer/scanner/printer because sometimes they include web design software, such as Adobes Pagemill.

If you have any questions for Malcolm email evolution@theargus.co.uk