How best to fit technology into our lives?

As someone who writes about technology for a living I obviously put more thought into my home's IT and digital entertainment set up than most people. Despite this, it's easy to fall into a pattern of use that's far from ideal. In fact it's far too easy to get caught up in the 'what' of computing, that being the empirical facts and capabilities of the technology, while sidelining the equally critical why, where and how.

To put it another way there are far more important factors when using a PC than what processor and operating system you use, or even which search engine and online news provider you prefer. Given the choice, do you like to sit at a desk when you browse the internet? Or are you happier plonked on the sofa? Do you prefer to work in the privacy of a study? But the dining room table is your only choice? Do you think that games must be played with a keyboard and mouse? Or do you prefer a joypad but simply can't get a decent stint on the living room TV.

Most of us live with one or more people, and so these questions come about by how those others like to use and enjoy the wealth of digital information and entertainment available to us. Long gone are the days of a single PC in the study (tethered to a modem) and a single TV in the living room (with just a handful of channels and a VCR). We now have far more flexibility with laptops, on-demand TV, wireless Ethernet and media streaming devices. It's not uncommon for every member of some households to have their own laptop, but at the same time we'd be loathed to entirely give up on shared experiences, like gathering round the living room TV to watch a favourite programme or look at some holiday snaps.

The technology is good – with the usual nod of sympathy to those in rural areas who struggle to get decent broadband connections – it's now a matter of how effectively we fit it into our day to day lives. This is much harder to advise upon than say the best laptop display, or the fastest desktop processor.

Adapting new forms of technology to work with our endlessly varied family dynamics and antiquated living spaces isn't going to produce a one-size fits all solution. However, over the next few weeks, as I reorganise my own limited living space to accommodate a child, I'm going to also try and cast some light on the issue.