Janis McKauge and others see the Internet as presenting significant scope for designing new products and services. Janis sees herself using Internet tools that integrate her phone, fax, voice mail, television, video and sound systems. Janis also notes that the Internet is leading to more flexible and distributed work systems and may also bring change to the way that HCI practitioners work. The Internet offers scope to put together distributed teams of specialist consultants and organisations to design more personalised products for global niche markets. HCI professionals could assist people put together technological and work packages that help them achieve control over where and how they work to improve their quality of life.
Some respondents see themselves delivering and receiving training via the Internet.
The expansion of the use of the Internet for flexible delivery of courses to surrounding countries is likely to provide a significant opportunity for Australasia, though this will necessitate interface designs that are sensitive to cultural differences and highlight the importance of a multi-cultural usability strategy. Some respondents see themselves using the Internet specifically for training and mentoring in the area of HCI as part of their on-going professional development. Australia has a long history in distance education and the lessons learned from this experience are being rapidly applied to the Internet. The responses to the questionnaire highlight the fact that Australasian HCI professionals are exploring a diverse array of possibilities for how the Internet can change our work, social lives and education. Although young, the Australasian HCI community is taking every opportunity to overcome distance and collaborate with their international HCI colleagues to shape the future design and application of the Internet.