Q Is there an alternative to Google that doesn’t clutter up its search results with middlemen and fluff?

Peter Brown, via e-mail

A Although Google is the most popular search engine in the world, it is not the only one. With TurboScout (www.turboscout.com), you can search by choosing from a number of engines on the same screen. You can also remove much of the extraneous fluff by making your search terms as specific as possible. A search for “4GB iPod MP3 player UK” will deliver 2.8m results, as opposed to 198m for “iPod”.

CHATTERING CLASS

Q Is there any video-chat software that can be used between a PC and an Apple Mac?

Eleanor Kane, Shimane, Japan

A The SightSpeed program (www.sightspeed.com) offers video conversations for both Mac and PC. The free version has fewer features than the paid-for version, but is certainly worth trying. A couple of alternative products are iVisit (www.ivisit.com), which is free for a small video size and a 60-minute chat limit, and ISPQ (£23 from www.ispq.com). Don’t expect flawless full-screen video, though, even with a fast broadband connection and a meaty computer — this technology is still a work in progress.

MODEL SOLUTION

Q Can you suggest a cheap 3-D modelling package that will bring my engineering ideas to life?

Russell Bonser, via e-mail

A There is a huge range of computer-aided design and modelling programs, which range in price from free to several thousand pounds. Head to tinyurl.com/5qndg, where all the products are described and rated. One of my favourite 3-D design programs is SketchUp (www.sketchup.co.uk) — not cheap, at £315, but versatile and easy to use.

dontpanic@sunday-times.co.uk

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