Question: My wife and I are building a house. I want to add surveillance cameras so we can see what's going on outside. But I also want to watch the house when we're on vacation. What do you suggest?

Answer: I would use webcams designed for surveillance. Buy wireless cameras so you don't have to run cables. They are assigned an Internet protocol (IP) number. You can check them through the Internet. Such cameras run about $200. You can use them indoors or out. These cameras can record to your hard drive. Video files are big, so you'll need a really big hard drive. Look for cameras that send alerts when they detect motion. Also, look for the ability to pan and tilt the camera. Makers of these cameras include Linksys, D-Link and Motorola.

A: Unlike those on desktops, keyboards on laptops are integral parts. They can be replaced, but you should let qualified technicians do that. You could try cleaning the keyboard. Photograph the keyboard first. Then pry the keys off with a screwdriver. Carefully disconnect any wiring and springs. Wash the keys in warm soapy water. Clean the keyboard bed with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. Use lighter fluid and foam pads for extra-sticky spots. Let everything dry thoroughly. Before re-assembling, spray everything with Super Lube Dri-Film spray.

A: We have several Vista machines in the office. Compatibility is a mixed bag. Some programs run well; others do not. The Microsoft's Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor may help. I have a link for that at www.komando.com/news . If you still have concerns, contact the programs' publishers. Presumably, most are working on incompatibilities.

A: In addition to file names, music files also contain tags. The information there appears in music players. Most music players will allow you to change tag information. For instance, in Apple's iTunes, right-click a file and select Get Info. Open the info tab and make any changes. If you use Windows Media Player, open the program and go to your library. Right-click a song and select Advanced Tag Editor.

Q: I have a new Canon Rebel XT. I've found three types of cards: a consumer CompactFlash, a professional CompactFlash and a Secure Digital. Which would work best?

A: Your camera requires a CompactFlash card. It accepts either type I or type II cards. I would use a type I card because it is thinner. You must also decide on the speed of your card. Faster cards clear the camera's memory quicker, which cuts the time between pictures. But faster cards also are more expensive. I would purchase a card with a speed of 40X, or 6 megabytes per second. I wouldn't spend extra for a card much faster than that. Faster cards are aimed at people using professional cameras.

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