Email (or E-mail) is short for Electronic mail. It describes the exchange of computer-stored messages by telecommunication.
It relies on having a successful connection to the Internet.
There are three main methods used for generating email...
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An individual composes and sends an email using an email program
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A server administrates the automatic sending of emailing lists
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A website form sends the results to an email address
Some of the drawbacks of email are:
- The potential of receiving unsolicited junk email (SPAM)
- The possibility of receiving a computer virus that can harm your computer
- Sometimes emails are a little too instant and informal - people can fire off emails on the heat of a moment and may regret sending it! Some folks expect instant replies to their emails
- You normally have to switch on your computer and actively go to check your email
However the use of email has some major advantages over other methods of communication:
It is:
- FAST (often within seconds around the world)
- INEXPENSIVE (you can send a long email to anywhere in the world)
- EFFICIENT (you can send one email to 20 different recipients around the world)
- FLEXIBLE (files can be attached such as colour photos, music, faxes, voice messages etc.)
People use email for all sorts of reasons:
- Keep in touch with their globetrotting relatives
- Circulating Minutes or Agendas
- Producing a friendly newsletter
- Asking for advice or assistance
- to receive booking confirmation, receipts and invoices
- to receive orders from a website
