The social role of the personal computer and its implications for familial health were investigated in a study of approximately 100 families with microcomputers in their homes. Data were collected through a written questionnaire and through diskettes programmed to monitor day-to-day computer usage. Analysis emphasized both patterns in family use of the microcomputer and the effectiveness of diskettes as an experimental method for data collection and analysis. Computer uses were categorized as entertainment, education, work, communications, word processing, programming, and household management, with most usage falling in categories related to occupational interests. Users tended to spend 30 minutes to 2 hours in each computer session, to underestimate the amount of time that would be spent, and to wish for more computer time. Major activities replaced by computer use did not involve social interaction. All participants were generally enthusiastic about the computer and felt its impact on their lives had been positive. Families classified as single-user dominated and group-dispersed seem generally similar in all aspects measured. Results also indicated that use of diskettes seemed to be less expensive than other methodological approaches and provided a convenient means of recording data on each computer session at the time, if subjects were willing and remembered to answer the questions. (LMM)