The History Of Email

The History of Email

Email is the biggest evolutionary advance in communication in modern history. Ever since the internet first started, the way we communicate with each other changed. Instead of sitting down and writing a letter with pen and paper, we type it on the computer and send it via the internet and the receiver sees it when they sign online. Instead of calling someone on the phone, we can talk to them directly online via instant messaging, as if we were on the phone. But there are problems with emailing and instant messaging such as junk email and kids using the shortcuts they use online in their school papers.

The internet started 30 years ago as a tool for the U.S. military as a way to communicate if there was a nuclear attack. Now you can do just about anything online, find answers to any questions you might have about a certain topic, purchase goods, and even communicate. "Email is convenient, saves time, brings us closer to one another, and helps us manage our ever-more-complex lives." Leonard, A. (2000). We've Got Mail-Always (Pg.240, 4). In L. Behrens and L. J. Rosen Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (9th Ed), 2005 (Pg. 240-244). Email is much more popular than traditional mail, and is seems that the only traditional mail you get are bills. But you can pay those bills online.

Another popular aspect of online communication is instant messaging, being able to talk directly to your friends online as if you were talking on the phone.

Emails have been dominating in the communication methods that are available. Traditional mailing of physical documents is no longer practiced with big organization. Every business mailing is going Electronic. Electronic mails use the WWW to transfer messages, documents and files to the receiver in any corner of the world using the Internet.

What makes it so popular is that you can talk to anyone online while watching TV., or doing homework and not have to apply as much concentration as you do when your on the phone. As much as this is positive form of communication, it does have its problems. Children who use instant messenger everyday start using the "lingo" in their everyday life. When talking online children use shortcuts and "chopped up" words to type faster, but these shortcuts are leaking into their school papers. Teachers are starting to notice it a lot more and are trying to break kids of this problem by taking points off if they use the shortcuts. "But teenagers, whose social life can rely as much these days on text communication as the spoken word, say that they use instant messaging shorthand without thinking about it." Lee, J. (2002). I Think, Therefore IM (Pg.253, 8). In L. Behrens and L. J. Rosen Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (9th Ed), 2005 (Pg. 252-255).

Email is the most popular form of communication today and everyone utilizes it. Nowadays you can't survive in this world without email because everything revolves around it. It's the same thing with instant messaging; kids can't go an hour without going online and talking to their friends or meeting someone new. "...it has become a popular means of flirting, setting up dates, asking for help with homework, and keeping in contact with distant friends." "Lee, J. (2002). I Think, Therefore IM (Pg.253, 13). In L. Behrens and L. J. Rosen Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (9th Ed), 2005 (Pg. 252-255).

The ever-changing world of technology is making the world become smaller every day. Businesses and organizations are taking advantage of the advances in technology to improve their organizations. Technology's influence reaches beyond improving relations within an organization to enhancing an organization's ability to service its customers. But even more than that technology is influencing the shape of the organization itself. In order to realize the impact of technology on business organizations, the following paper will focus on how organizations use technology within an organization (intranet, email), how organizations use technology to communicate with and service clients or customers, and finally how organizations are using the current technology to train both employees and customers.

How are businesses utilizing technology with their organizations? Email

Many businesses at the very least are taking advantage of the current technology to implement email systems. Email systems, in addition to traditional methods of communication including telephones, voice mail and face-to-face interactions are increasing the ease of communication between people in an organization. Through the use of email, people are able to send messages on a one-to-one basis, or to send broadcast messages to an entire organization, or to send messages to a specific group or department.

Email provides an alternative to the traditional face-to-face or telephone communication that is necessary in business. With the increased productivity and demands that accompany day-to-day operations, people are always looking for ways to do more in less time. A written message sent via email can be short concise and to the point, eliminating some of the small talk that would normally take place in a face-to-face or telephone interaction. Another advantage of email is that people are able to respond when it is convenient for them. In a society where time is of the essence, people are able to sort through messages and to prioritize which ones should be addressed first. Furthermore, some people prefer sending email messages instead of face-to-face interactions because they are more likely to be intimidated by face-to-face communication. Email gives those types of people the freedom and the opportunity to say exactly what is on their mind.

Electronic messaging systems are also a great asset to a manager in running his/her department. Managers are able to send out messages regarding everything from schedules to changes in departmental policy without having to call a meeting. Employees within the department are given the chance to give feedback without having to schedule an appointment or sending a long voice mail message. Setting up target groups for certain types of email transmissions, much like the reflectors used at UWM, also saves time and money. People are not spending time reading frivolous messages that do not apply to them, and are not spending as much time attending departmental meetings to decide policy issues.

Email systems provide a way to send a message to a large number of people in a very short time. Electronic messaging is a much more practical option for mass distribution than telephone or face-to-face