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E-mail
E-mail
is the single-most popular use of the Internet. It allows the sending
of text, pictures, and computer files anywhere in the world. Your Internet
service provider or company will usually furnish you with an e-mail account
that you can access with a software program like Eudora or Microsoft Outlook.
It is beyond the scope of this workshop to cover the use of those programs,
so we will instead look at web-based e-mail
Web-Based
E-mail
There are numerous providers of web-based e-mail on the Internet. Web-based
e-mail is accessed through a web site. One of its advantages is that you
can access it easily from any computer with Internet access. Web-based
e-mail limits you in the amount of mail you can have in your account at
one time, in the number of attachments you can send, and the size of attachments
you can send. For most users these restrictions are not a problem. Some
of the top web-based e-mail providers are:
- Yahoo mail
- Lycos mail
- Juno
- Hotmail
Netiquette
Here are some pointers on proper e-mail behavior:
- Don't send your messages in ALL CAPS this is the the e-mail equivalent to shouting. Use emoticons (see below) to indicate sarcasm or irony.
- Strip off other e-mail addresses when forwarding e-mail
- Don't send excessively large files to unsuspecting people. In many cases it can overwhelm their system.
- Be on the lookout for hoax-email or chain-email. It causes unnecessary traffic on the Internet.
- Beware of the Reply All button. If you click the Reply All button to respond to an e-mail, everyone who was sent that message will receive a copy. It can lead to embarrassment and annoyance.
- Only open attachments from trusted sources. This is how viruses can enter your system. Keep your anti-virus software up to date!
Emoticons
| :-) | smile |
| :-D | laughing/big grin |
| ;-) | wink |
| :-p | sticking out tongue |
| {} | hug |
| :-( | frown |
| :'-( | crying |
| o:-) | angel |
What Is ...?
| CC: | literally 'carbon copy' from typewriter days; use to send a copy of an e-mail to another party; all recipients can see who received it |
| BCC: | literally 'blind carbon copy'; this hides the recipients from view |
| Reply | This will send a reply ONLY to the original sender of the message. |
| Reply All | This will send a reply to EVERYONE who received a copy of the e-mail Use this feature with care! |
| Forward | This will forward the entire e-mail to another party. |
Usenet
Usenet
is another subset of the Internet that stores and forwards messages on
just about any topic you can imagine. If you have a specific interest,
there is probably a usenet group of people with the same interest.
One of the best places to find a usenet group is through Google groups.
When you
first enter a usenet group it is wise to read the FAQ (frequently asked
questions) and browse through the various topics of discussion (called
threads). Try to get a feel of the climate of the group before posting
a question.
Instant
Messaging
Instant
messaging allows you to communicate in real time with another person on
the Internet anywhere in the world. You need to install instant messaging
software on your computer. When one of your instant messaging friends
comes online you will be alerted. Some of the top providers of instant
messaging are:
- America Online Instant Messaging
- Yahoo Instant Messaging
- Microsoft Instant Messaging
Chat Rooms
Chat rooms
are Internet meeting places where you can communicate in real time with
other people. Chat rooms differ from instant messaging in that there are
often a number of conversations going on at once and they are generally
not private. You can find chat rooms on many web sites. Here are some
with lots of groups:
- Yahoo
- Excite
- Lycos
The anonymity of the chat room poses potential dangers. One only has to check the news to hear of the problems that can result.