Jan's Computer Basics:2-9 Email

Computer Basics

2 - Applications: Email

Email, or electronic mail, is becoming more and more popular as people learn to communicate again with written words. For many purposes it is superior to a phone call because you don't have to catch the person in and you can get straight to the point. No time is wasted on casual conversation. It also leaves a written record to refer back to for a response or if you forget who said what. Email is superior to the traditional office memo because it uses no paper (Save the trees!!) and it can be sent to a whole list of people instantly.

An email client is the program that has to be on your computer to download and manage emails. Commonly used email client programs include Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Eudora.

Another way to handle email is with a web-based email account. Your email is managed entirely through web pages. Your computer needs only a browser to access email, compose new messages, and to reply to messages. HotMail from MSN, Yahoo Mail, and Gmail from Google are popular web-based email sites.

Purpose:	Transmitting messages between computer users
Major Advantage:	Speed
Major Disadvantage:	You don't know if the receiver actually reads it, though you can find out if they received it. Of course in a phone conversation you don't really know if the person is actually listening either! With no body language or vocal intonations it is difficult to convey the emotional tone you want. Irony and sarcasm are particularly dangerous since your reader may take you seriously.

For more on using email - view Prometheus Project tutorial on email

This tutorial is illustrated with an old version of Netscape Mail but the principles are the same for all email.

Where you are: JegsWorks > Lessons > Computer Basics
	1. Computer Types
	2. Applications Intro Word Processing Desktop Publishing Spreadsheet Database Graphics Presentations Communications Browser Web Pages Email Project Management PIM Integrated & Suites Quiz
	3. Input
	4. Processing
	5. Output
	6. Storage
	7. Computer to Computer
	8. System Software
	9. Programming

	10. What You See
	11. Hands On!
	12. On Your Own

	Search Glossary Appendix

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~~ 1 Cor. 10:31 ...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ~~

Last updated: 22 Jan 2008