How do I listen to radio online?

There are a number of ways to go about getting radio programmes on your PC.

Let's assume in the first instance that you're at your computer working or playing, and you have headphones or you're in an environment in which nobody is going to mind the radio in the background.

Probably the most straightforward way to do this, if you know which radio station you want, is to go to the station's website – say www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 – and hit 'listen live'. As long as you have a decent internet connection it will start playing, simple as that. In the case of the BBC and some commercial radio channels there may also be a selection of archived programmes for you to choose from.

The BBC has also joined a group of other broadcasters to support the www.radioplayer.co.uk website. This allows you to explore more than just the BBC's output. The opening page gives you a choice of either searching for something specific – by programme name, by presenter, by area of interest or others – or to browse alphabetically through the participating stations, of which there are many. The pop-up windows through which the channels play let you discuss what you're listening to on social networks as well.

While you're on the computer, don't forget the catch-up services like BBC iPlayer. Missed last week's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue? That's not a problem, just go to www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer, click on the radio tab and do a quick search – you'll find radio programming is archived and retrievable just as TV programmes are.

There are reasons you might want to listen through your computer other than convenience if you happen to be sitting in front of it. If your favourite radio station happens not to broadcast on FM – say BBC Radio 5 Live, for example – it isn't actually possible for a standard radio to get the quality of sound you'll achieve through the internet (this is of course not the case if you're using a DAB digital radio).

There is also an increasing amount of radio stations which operate only through the Internet and don't have a traditional radio presence at all. Have a look at www.internet-radio.org.uk to get an idea of the choice open to you. There's a debate to be had about whether something which doesn't go across the radio waves can actually be called radio, but for the moment let's just agree that we mean 'audio entertainment'.

There are situations – quite a lot now that I think about it – in which you may not want to start up a computer just to listen to the radio. This also isn't a problem. Tablet computers and indeed smartphones will connect to the internet and play your favourite stations just as easily, and if you attach them to a decent speaker dock or good headphones the sound quality should be excellent. Beware if you're using a data connection other than Wi-Fi and paying per byte, as the costs can mount up.

There are also dedicated internet radio players now on the market, which take an internet feed and play it through existing stereos or powered speakers as long as they have the right connector. It will also pick up any audio stored on your computer and play it the same way. The reception will be as good as your Wi-Fi signal, but no better.

There are also standalone internet radios available, offer ordinary-looking radios which in fact have DAB and FM as well as the shiniest new Wi-Fi connections for internet listening, and offer more choice of channels than you ever knew existed before.