Netball star home-tests PC

By RICHARD PAMATATAU

Silver Fern Temepara Clark has been selected for a new team - the 33 Family study into computer use by American IT giant Hewlett-Packard.

Clark was the final person selected by HP for its study, which runs over the next few months and examines how a range of New Zealand families use computer-based technology for everything from net surfing to picture management, music, banking, homework and art.

All participants have been given an HP computer system, which includes a digital camera, printer and scanner, as well as a power machine which will allow them to do everything from emailing and word processing to producing complex documents and even developing web pages.

They include a family with seven children and people living in the country and cities.

For Clark, already a competent business PC user in her day job as account manager for a courier company, having a powerful machine at homes means she can lift her IT game in other areas.

For a start, her training diary - a complex outline of everything needed to keep her on target for competitive netball - is going digital.

"I'll be putting my log on the PC as soon as I get the time."

The digital camera would be much more useful than expected, said Clark.

"Even after a day with very little training I am finding lots more ... reasons to take pictures which can be stored on the computer or printed out or emailed round the world.

"The system is easy to use so that the kids as well are already up-skilled and they have great facilities at school."

Because her sport takes her away a lot, Clark is also looking at how the PC can be used as a parenting tool.

There were times when an email to the kids would be a gentle reminder that Mum still had her eye on what was happening even though she was away, said Clark.

A reply from the kids was good practice for them too.

Because the machine comes with internet access, Clark expects to monitor what the children are doing and to regulate their time on the PC.

"I don't want them spending all their time here when they can get out and do other things."

Although Clark is not a chat-room user, she is aware of them and how people can use them.

She is even considering that a personal website might be something to consider as a project to lift her skills on the PC.

"With good technology the possibilities are endless really."

HP will be monitoring the study and has set milestones and projects for all participants.

Among projects it may get participants to work on are a coffee table book and DIY websites.

But for the moment, said Clark, it was a matter of building on her basic skills so that she could leap ahead later on.