Email (E-Mail) stands for Electronic Mail. In terms of the kinds of communication that email allows, text, images, document attachments, and audio can be sent. This method of communication is extremely quick, after being sent the mail is received within minutes. This is one of email’s main advantage over paper mail, along with being easier (no printing, purchasing stamps and placing in a letterbox), cheaper, straightforward to sort out and prioritise (providing the sender has used the subject line) and secure (no overheard telephone conversations).
Email lists are the electronic version of traditional mailing lists. Used primarily by companies and organisations to send information to their customers or associates, email lists are usually automated by software and a reflector address which sends the mail once instructed to do so.
I use email regularly for group work and sometimes for keeping in touch with my parents at home. I receive mails from email lists which I have subscribed to such as concert notification dates and store newsletters. I have a good experience of email, although email lists can become frustrating when receiving a lot of ‘junk mail’ from companies and organisations which you have not intended to sign up to.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Do you think that email will ever totally replace the written letter, why?
ReplyDeleteYou said that email lists are "usually automated" - which to me implies impersonality; infact, i often think the whole idea of email is very impersonal, but do you think that in this day and age sentimentality plays no part and we should just think and therefore work practically?
I don't think that email will ever fully replace the written letter as, although it is a widely accepted form of communication, it's still informal and could be seen by some as impersonal because of how easy and simple it is; no effort is really required.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good thing for businesses as cutting down on postage and paper etc, although small, is good for a company and the environment. This is a good example of what you said about thinking and working practically.
However, in personal lives written letters could also include things such as birthday cards which, i hope, won't ever be replaced by their electronical versions. Written letters are often keepsakes for people and an email just doesn't have the same effect.
You mention how you hope birthday cards remain a personal activity, however already there are such things as electronic birthday cards. Do you think these may take the development of new media to a new level, which is a bit to far? Or are websites such as Moon Pig (a website that does still send birthday cards however you just pick one from online) breaking that personalization of people caring and going to a shop and then choosing a card?
ReplyDeleteAlso I think your point about being better for the environment is true however, is this the reason why people started to develop new media, or are they just wanting to see how easy they can make life? Is things like email just laziness?
I don't think that electronic birthday cards are taking it too far, i know ive sent them in the past, not to replace a birthday card, but as something extra.However, receiving an e-card instead of a proper card is laziness and it does break the personalisation of physically going to the shop and buying a card. Moon pig is not as bad as e-cards because its nice that you can personalise them with names, pictures etc so in a way its even more thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteI think that yes, new media can be seen as making life simple, and email could be seen as laziness when it replaces something thoughtful or meaningful such as birthday cards/personal letters but other than that its just convenient.