Weekly Pc Use Grows 41 Percent

If you’re not already convinced that the computer has joined the television set and automobile as a staple in the American lifestyle, consider this: Americans now spend a staggering 1 billion hours a week using PCs at home.

A new study by Odyssey, a San Francisco-based research firm, showed that total weekly PC use increased by 101 million hours, to 1.04 billion, between January and July of this year. That’s a 41 percent jump from one year ago.

Time spent online accounts for more than half the increase, Odyssey researchers found in their survey of 2,500 U.S. households. Each household spends an average of 15 hours a week using the Internet and other online services and 20 hours on average for other personal purposes.

Sending personal e-mail tops the list of the 10 most popular computer activities for the Odyssey households with online connections. E-mail is closely followed by research and education.

E-commerce, though the current darling of Wall Street, took 10th place.

PC owners who still need additional online time to reach the national average may want to check out these new or useful Web sites:

* Sounding board: Don’t bottle up those job stresses until they make you a candidate for ulcers or a heart attack.

This Web site gives workers an outlet to vent their frustrations and get advice. It’s dedicated to “giving you an `ahah’ and a `haha’ that you can take to work.”

Features include a section for “Knockout” blows, and a survey. Visitors currently are being asked to share their secrets for making the most of their time at work.

http://www.workingwounded.com

* Food for thought: Put some excitement back into your meals with this new site, which offers more than 10,000 recipes and cooking tips.

There’s an added twist: Once you’ve picked a recipe, the software will compile a shopping list of ingredients you’ll need to prepare the meal. Print it out and take it with you to the store.

Eventually, you may be able to make printouts from a kiosk at selected supermarkets.

http://www.my-meals.com

* Throwback: Before computers took over most of their functions, switchboards were the hub of communications systems.

This site mimics the role of a switchboard operator, offering yellow and white pages, e-mail and Web site directories, interactive maps and driving directions.

http://www.switchboard.com