To get an idea of what karaoke is about on your own computer you can get tracks by searching for karaoke on YouTube. Then just choose your song and sing along.

Professional singers often use equipment similar to mine which gives you the chance to sound brilliant!

The more serious can also follow the tips below when singing on a karaoke, they will help you sound even better.

Sing along with the original track to see if you can easily reach all the notes.
Rehearse the song until you know it off by heart. Knowing the words is not necessary when using a karaoke system, however you will sound better if you know the song well.
Think about where you need to take a breath! Usually before each sentence. If you 'speak' the words through then take note of the places where you naturally take a breath.
Record yourself singing for later critical analysis.
Practice in front of a mirror so you can see what you look like when singing, try not to pull faces.
Smile when you sing a happy song, it reflects in your voice!

The most difficult part is getting up to sing in front of an audience for the first time, once you have achieved this it will become easier each time you perform.
Pick a fun song and ask a friend or group of friends to get up with you and sing.
Don't worry about making a fool of yourself or how you sound.
Avoid songs that are difficult to sing until you feel confident about your voice and performing in front of an audience.
Look ahead and smile as you take the stage. Even if you feel terrified this will help you look confident.
As soon as you get on stage clear your mind of everything except the song you are going to sing.
If you are extremly nervous concentrate on the karaoke screen and your singing rather than looking at the audience.
If you know the song really well but are still nervous of performing in front of a crowd, then focus your eyes on an object slightly above the audience instead of their faces.
Find yourself shaking when you are singing? Then move around a bit, swing your hips and bop around, it'll help you to forget your nerves and make you look confident.
Got a really awful voice but still want to have a go? Pick a song that everyone can join in with, a track that is funny or make up funny words, pull faces or use props, you'll sound great and the audience will laugh with you..not at you!

If you use a microphone stand make sure it is set at a comfortable height before you start to sing.
When using a microphone with a lead ensure that the lead is firmly attached to the microphone and you are not standing on the cable.
Check the on/off switch! Some microphones have a small switch which moves easily. This can be turned off by accident when you grip the microphone or the previous singer may have turned it off without the KJ's knowledge.
Hold the microphone by the handle, don't cover the pickup with your hand or fingers and keep the microphone at a distance of 1/2" - 1" away from your mouth. Holding it too close to your mouth or covering the pickup causes your voice to sound muffled and distorted.
If you have a particularly quiet singing voice ask the KJ to turn the microphone up.
Give the KJ a little time to adjust the microphone volume to your voice.
Sing normally, don't shout, a microphone is sensitive.
If you have a loud voice or need to decrease your vocal volume for a certain song move the microphone away from your mouth until your singing sounds at the correct level for the music.
Avoid pointing the microphone towards the speakers because this creates a horrible high pitched sound called 'feedback'.
To avoid 'popping' sounds when singing words containing 'B', 'P' or 'S' hold the microphone slightly to the side instead of directly to the front of your mouth.
When singing a long powerful note move the microphone away from your mouth during the loud notes and gradually bring it back towards you as you start to run out of breath and the notes volume decreases. This makes the notes volume sound more consistent.
Don't swing the microphone by its lead, or drop it, or move further than the microphone cables natural length as you may cause damage to the equipment.