Washing the family linen

With the intention of minimising squabbles at home, Alan Dishington, director (sales), NDS India, wisely opted for a digital video recorder that lets him record TV programmes for leisure viewing. Soon he found that this had become his family’s favourite gadget, and he is now expected to tailor the features to suit his wife and kids.

What’s the most recent gadget you have bought for yourself?
I recently upgraded my Tata Sky service to the Tata Sky+ service, so that I could have a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) at home.

I have a busy lifestyle, and found that I was missing a lot of my favourite programmes. However, my real objective was to minimise any possible friction with my wife. With a recorder, she gets access to TV and also I can watch what I want to and when I want to. The Tata Sky+ set-top box allows you to record up to 45 hours of TV programmes.

Did you face any problems during installation?
I understand technology and I found that I could install and customise the Tata Sky DVR easily. However, it then dawned on me that my family expected me to sort out all the programmes they wanted to record and it soon became a full-time job.

Are you able to customise your gadgets to your particular needs?
Yes, I have set up upto 20 channels to record as part of my favourite programme list. But now I have to balance new challenges like negotiating with my family on what programmes should be on this favourite list.

Do you usually install gadgets by yourself?
Yes, but still I believe that I am a closet geek.

Do you ever need to refer to the user manuals that come along with gadgets?
I like to try and work how to use my gadgets first, and then refer to the manual if I need to.

Are there any amusing gadget-installation anecdotes that you recall?
When I bought my first Apple iPod a few years ago, I stayed up all night uploading my music.

I barely slept for the next two days.

What is your advice to those who want to set up gadgets all by themselves?
Make sure that you befriend the IT people at work, as they usually love to fiddle around with these things.

Is there any do-it-yourself technology that you have been wanting to try but haven’t been able to yet?
The washing machine, which is clearly my wife’s favourite gadget. She is convinced that I may flood the house and won’t even let me touch it.