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...

1. An individual composes and sends an email using an email program

2. A server administrates the automatic sending of emailing lists

3. 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