Dave Martin
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 18/98) - Finding out what's new and special in the world of computers and information technology can be a daunting task.

For the average person, the amount of the information available is overwhelming. Common wisdom has it that, when you need specific information, you go to professionals.

Tony Smith, manager of Tamarack Computers Ltd., in Yellowknife is one of those professionals.

We asked Smith what has caught his eye in the recent past and where he thinks the future of computers and information technology lies.

"Some of the stuff that's caught my eye," says Smith, "is the Internet videoconferencing, and the Web phones. In the past month or two months that technology has certainly taken off.

"Microsoft has software out there called Microsoft Net Meeting that enables both video and phone. Creative Labs has a Web camera and software package called Web Video Blaster. Myself, I use my home video camera along with an ATI All In Wonder video card.

"There are different ways of getting the same end result than by going to just those two manufacturers, but I can say with certainty that video teleconferencing is taking off."

Smith also says that new users are entering the stream rapidly. The attraction of the Internet has taken hold among even those who have previously considered themselves "technophobes."

"Hardware-wise," says Smith, "a lot of home users are getting into the multimedia systems. The Internet is one thing a lot of people are getting into. That's what's attracting a lot of new users, and that's why people are buying new systems. People are also buying machines because of their children's requirement for school."

Educational software is another avenue that's also taking off. It's something that Smith finds encouraging.

"There are so many encyclopedias available on CD-ROM for a nominal fee compared to buying the books themselves. The number of people coming in and buying kids' software these days is increasing. It's actually good to see kids putting time towards computers.

"I've had people come in here with kids eight or nine years old that knew more about computers then their parents did. That's rather interesting, because I know myself, I didn't get into computers until I was 16 years old. That's rather late in the game nowadays. In schools now, computers are core courses. Back when I went, it was an elective," he says.

"As for gadgets, joysticks are big. A lot of people are getting into games these days. It's used to be just Nintendo, but now you can get the same type of graphics on computer now. The games are taking off along with joysticks, game pads and dual game ports so people can play against each other."

Another area that is experiencing growth these days is computer consulting. Smith has noticed an increase in the demand for computer experts and system administrators.

On the consulting side, he says, a lot of companies are upgrading their systems, wanting networks put in. They want information on what types of networks to install, which systems would suit their needs.

"Networking is growing more and more, and we're finding that we need more network consultants in the office than we used to. There is, most definitely, opportunity for information technology consultants in the North," Smith says.

"In my experience with Tamarack Computers, it's pretty tough getting the right person up here to fill the job. Finding someone with the right experience, or the right schooling is pretty tough up here. I can say with certainty, as far as information technology goes, if someone has the right schooling in experience there's a lot of opportunity up here."