 Q&A: Ashley Hayden
TV personality
Q: What is your favourite tech gadget to use for fun?
A: My iPod Shuffle is the reason why I can actually exercise! I cannot imagine puffing and panting on my morning run without it!
Q: How do you use technology in your working environment?
A: I have a home office, and since I had a wireless network installed, life has been beautiful! I can sit in our gorgeous garden with my laptop and no matter how much needs to be done, it seems like I'm not really working. I have a pathological fear of nine to five desk jobs, and technology has helped me work more efficiently while avoiding being trapped behind a desk
Q: Do you think technology is moving too fast and actually passing us by?
A: I must say I do sometimes feel daunted at the array of gadgets and products that are around. I think a lot of the tech toys available are nice to have but not essential. Because next Christmas, there will be something better on the market that does the same thing faster, for cheaper, in a smaller package. Almost as soon as you have bought something, it's obsolete!
Q: Being a TV personality, what are your thoughts on digital TV and on-demand TV?
A: Anything that gets the programme out, making it look better and more entertaining gets my thumbs-up. Although I have to say that seeing Survivor in HD for the first time was profoundly shocking - every wrinkle and bruise was in sharp focus! I was horrified! I do love DsTV's 'on demand' feature - often with PVR I forget to record something I really wanted to see and it can sometimes be found there. I just wish that more archived programming was available. I would love to see a scenario whereby anything ever broadcast on DsTV could be accessed at any time.
Q: How has the internet touched your life personally?
A: When I first started using the internet I was astonished - I could find quotes for my talks without having to go and page through dozens of books! Now that I'm more adept, I use it for on-line banking, to Skype, source prices for goods, find information for my kids' projects, find recipes and so on - the applications are endless. I can't imagine how we ever did without it!
Q: Is the world a better or worse place as a result of technology?
A: Better, of course! Technology makes life easier and faster. My concern is that interpersonal relationships as we know them now will dwindle, with chat rooms and social networking sites being the norm as opposed to picking up a phone or meeting for coffee. But then, of course, you can call a friend anywhere in the world and sit and chat to them with the aid of a video camera and Skype, so it's really up to the individual. And as long as we still take holidays where we sit absorbed in the beauty of a remote unspoilt beach with no cellphone signal, we should be fine.... |
