email software advice
Internet Communication Methods
By
Sharon Housley
How do we keep Internet communication simple? Let's start by taking a
look at the different methods used to communicate on the web. It is
important to understand the nuances and benefits of the different forms.
Email
This is the most popular communication method. Users typically use
desktop software to receive, read and respond to messages. Some users use
web-based mail and manage messages in a web browser like Internet Explorer.
The downfall to email communication is that anyone can send email messages
to anyone else if they have (or guess) the correct email address. This
system's Achilles heel is its simplicity and universal popularity.
Email accounts are often burdened by spam or unsolicited email. Despite
software developers having created complex spam filters and legislators
having introduced new anti-spam legislation, the problem persists and spam
continues to burden email as a messaging medium.
Email Clients -
http://www.messaging-software.net/e-mail-client-software.htm
Spam Software -
http://www.email-software.org/spam-filter-software.htm
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging allows users to "chat" in real time. Users can send
text messages to anyone online and receive instant replies if the user is
also online. The "instant" fad gave way to parental fears as children made
"friends" online. With no way to confirm if "friends" are who they represent
themselves to be, and multiple security holes, instant messaging has taken a
back seat in internet communication.
Instant Messaging -
http://www.instant-messaging-software.com
Blogs
Online journals and daily diaries have taken hold. Some blogs are
interactive, allowing users to respond and comment on posts. Locating
topic-specific blogs that provide relevant and interesting content on a
daily basis can be a challenge. The nature of a blog is to contain fresh
public content. As our lives become more complicated blogs are often
abandoned, as they require constant updating.
Blog Connections -
http://www.blog-connection.com
RSS
RSS is the latest messaging medium and shows genuine promise as a means
to communicate. RSS files are produced as XML files and are designed to
provide content summaries of news or information. The biggest benefit to RSS
is that it does not have the spam issues inherent to email; users opt-in to
the RSS feeds that interest them.
RSS Specifications -
http://www.rss-specifications.com
Forums / Newsgroups
A forum is an online discussion group. Forums can be newsgroups, or they
can be web-based discussion groups. Forums have proven themselves as
valuable business resources - often creating communities of customers
helping customers. Without moderation and oversight they can potentially
create an unfriendly environment.
Message Board Software -
http://www.messaging-software.net/message-board-software.htm
Listservs
Liststervs are mailing list programs for communicating with other people
who have subscribed to the same list. Using e-mail, you can participate in
listservs pertaining to your topics of interest. When you submit a message
to the server, your message is relayed to all on the listserv. You receive
messages from other participants via e-mail.
Yahoo Groups -
http://www.yahoogroups.com
What's Next?
Internet communication is intrinsically tied to the hardware options
available. Wireless technology has accelerated the development of messaging
software, opening the market to a dizzying array of devices for web access.
Where we were once tied to a keyboard and mouse, we will soon be navigating
the web with our voices from a moving automobile, or browsing via screens in
our eyewear, with tiny cameras reading our eye movements to move the cursor
and make selections. Our interactive conversations will include more and
more participants at once. Evaluating the many options and choosing what
works best for you is the first step to effectively communicating on the
web.
Copyright 2004 Sharon Housley
About The Author
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. a software
communication company with websites at:
http://www.notepage.net
and
http://www.feedforall.com . Other sites by
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and
http://www.small-business-software.net
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