What's your favourite piece of technology, and how has it improved your life?
I have to say that being on the road quite a bit, the satnav is very convenient. I still occasionally use the good old-fashioned map book, but the satnav has been an absolute breath of fresh air.
When was the last time you used it, and what for?
Yesterday, to take me from West London down to Kent and it got to the point, about 70 miles into my journey, that it was taking me completely the wrong way. But it eventually delivered me to where I needed to be.
What additional features would you add if you could?
My particular satnav doesn't have a heavy traffic warning facility, so I would add that to it.
Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years' time?
No, because people will always want to know where they're going. And, of course, it will be developed – you'll have 3D ones with HD pictures of where you're passing.
What always frustrates you about technology in general?
Items of technology [seem to be getting]smaller and smaller physically, and yet their handbooks get thicker and thicker. It's the instructions and technical aspects that frustrate me.
Is there any particular piece of technology that you have owned and hated?
Between cassettes and iPods, you had portable CD players that you could jog with – but that thing never worked properly. After about three months, it just stopped working – it was a throw-in-the-bin job.
If you had one tip about getting the best out of new technology, what would it be?
Make friends with someone who understands it.
Do you consider yourself to be a luddite or a nerd?
Luddite, definitely. Some would say both, but luddite really.
What's the most expensive piece of technology you've ever owned?
I'd say it's probably my first foray into serious SLR digital cameras, which was a Nikon D100 which I traded in a film camera for.
Mac or PC, and why?
PC, because people told me that Mac was going to be the Betamax of the computer world. How wrong they were. I don't do much with computers – internet, emails and the usual things. I've just had PCs all the time, and they're fine.
Do you still buy physical media such as CDs and DVDs, or do you download? What was your last purchase?
I still do physical media – the downloading is really something we'll leave for the kids. I still like to hold something physical. The last DVD I bought was a collection of war films.
Robot butlers – a good idea or not?
I don't think they are a good idea, no. None of them could ever be as good as Kryten. If I was ever going to have the wherewithal to employ a butler, it would have to be the human kind.
What piece of technology would you most like to own?
I think – this is where the luddite in me comes out – if you look at some of the things coming out, they're unnecessary, we end up facing permanently at a screen, which is why I fight against Twitter and Facebook. If anything, I think there should be a break in technological advance.I have no desire to be aided any other way in life.
• Chris Barrie hosts Britain's Greatest Machines, series 2 of which is out now on DVD. Barrie also stars as Arnold Rimmer on TV's Red Dwarf
