Whether you're old or young, expert or just a normal user, you too can be a Broadband buddy to someone in the neighbourhood.

Launched by BBC Two's Working Lunch business programme, the Broadband Buddy Challenge dares you to be simple with someone you might know by guiding them through the mysteries of getting online and using the resources available on the Internet.

You go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/working_lunch or tap in 'Broadband Buddy Challenge' into your favourite search engine and follow the instructions on helping someone out. At the end of the process, both you and your buddy enter the details of the challenge and the show's hosts Naga Munchetty and Declan Curry will send you a signed certificate acknowledging your contribution. You and your buddy might also get the chance to appear on the programme.

It will take patience. I know because I tend to get very annoyed with simple questions, especially if my partner asks them for a third time, or finds a new way to make her laptop behave strangely.

By the way, I checked with the BBC, and anyone in the world is eligible to take the challenge, though they might not fly you to the UK!

The programme outlines three steps to completing the challenge. First, you and your buddy should set an online task to complete together, such as registering for an online email account or subscribing to a newsletter.

The programme advises buddies to find out a specific way in which the Internet might be of practical benefit to them. Pick something simple and relatively easy to achieve. Then you both go online and accomplish the task.

Once successfully completed, the person you helped fills in the online form at the BBC and sends to the programme, which will then get in touch using the contact address provided.

Even if your buddy cannot help you out all the time, the programme suggests a wonderful UK government site MyGuide (www.myguide.gov.uk), which aims to destroy the digital divide. Really, if you have never used a computer before, this is the site for you. Get someone to print out the basic lessons for you.

I assume if you need to know how to operate a mouse or a keyboard (two of the lessons available at the site) then you probably cannot get to the lessons.

MyGuide is designed to help people take their first steps with computers and the Internet. Once you are up to going online and taking the modules available you really will be getting up to speed with your kids, or they with you. I assume this site is also valuable for very young children taking their first tentative steps. Or is everyone these days born with the computer and the Internet at their fingertips?

Once you register to start using the site the modules are bookmarked, so you can proceed at your own pace, or keep track of how a newbie (remember that word?) you are coaching is doing. The courses are free to use, there are no exams and no set timetables.

There are five short modules to get you started. Once you are past the basics of learning the keyboard, mouse, how to stay safe online and how to search the courses get more sophisticated. For example there are modules on using online public services, job hunting, shopping, eBay, music, social networking and so on.

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In the manner of a certain talk show host, I present IBM's list of the top five IT budget killers. They are: storage expansion, system complexity, hardware sprawl, reliability and scalability, and lastly, compliance.

These five budget killers are identified in an IBM e-book on the subject, which is pretty good as far as these self promotional give-aways can be. The e-book also outlines some of the best ways to reduce the money draining aspects. Go to www.IBM.com and search for 'The Top 5 IT Budget Killers'.

Send any comments to Ahmed at elamin.ahmed@gmail.com