A survey has revealed that more than half of all Australians with a home computer do not understand how to use all the functions offered by the device.

The Newspoll survey covered 863 adults across Australia who lived in a household with one or more computers, and was commissioned by Microsoft. Among other statistics, the survey revealed:

• 32 percent of those surveyed said they do not regularly use their home computer for email messages
• only 21 percent reported regularly using their home computer to e-mail digital photographs
• only 30 percent said they regularly use their home computer to listen to music

-The technology and the inherent software are going a bit too far ahead of our understanding and perhaps our needs," Dr Neville Meyers, of Queensland University of Technology, who analysed the report, told ZDNet Australia. -The survey has been useful in highlighting that the majority of people don't understand all the things their computer could offer."

Meyers said the survey focused on recreational use rather than business or educational use, which are the main reasons a significant proportion of the population choose to buy a computer.

Microsoft responded to the survey by releasing a booklet with 'helpful tips' on how to make the most of your PC, as well as advice on purchasing Microsoft peripherals. The booklet is designed to educate users on how to use all the features included on their computer.

Con Zymaris, CEO of IT services firm Cybersource, had a different view on how to approach the problem.

-The concept that those who are not already learning to use their PCs will suddenly do so is misguided," said Zymaris. -Many of these people are the same group who leave their VCRs flashing 12:00 all day long due to lack of knowledge about VCR configuration. They are not suddenly going to become computer adepts."

-As I understand it, many users need far less complexity in their desktops. This is something that system builders who ship systems using Windows cannot deliver to these users. Microsoft is very stringent in requiring that Windows OEMs supply Windows as-is, and thus not allowing the system builders to produce 'dumbed-down' versions for simpler user needs."

Zymaris points to operating systems such as the kiosk mode in KDE 3.1, which can be used with a simplified application set to deliver a minimalist desktop to end users.

-Overall, I think that this market can only be addressed if the dominant consumer-level vendor (Microsoft) realises that an ecosystem of need exists out there, and that their one-OS-fits all mentality for the consumer market is wrong," said Zymaris. Microsoft have often been criticised for introducing new features into Windows at the expense of security and stability.

Meyers said Microsoft would have to accept that the majority of people would not use new features. -There's a lag time in the introduction of new technology and new features," he said. -You don't get the critical mass of people using it for a while."

Meyers said this problem is common with many new technologies. He pointed to new features in cars and mobile phones, many of which aren't used by the majority of people who purchase the product, and just want to get from one place to another and talk to people on the way.

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