A MODERN POSTMAN

Electronic mail, popularly known as ‘e-mail’, is the communication of textual message via electronic means. Although telex communication is also electronic in nature, there are differences between a telex and e-mail. While telex communication is terminal-to-terminal, electronic mail communication user-to-user via the computer. In telex, messages destined to a number of users are sent to the same terminal from where it is distributed in printed form by an operator. On the other hand, e-mail is delivered to individual electronic mail boxes based in computers. In order to operate an e-mail system we need a personal computer, a modem and telephone connection.
An important advantage of e-mail is its ability to reduce the consumption of paper in the office. Internal memos and reports can be exchanged electronically without using paper. Being a computer-based messaging system, files prepared on computers can be instantly copied and easily exchanged as e-mail. This facility has the potential of improving office efficiency considerably.
Being a person-to-person communication, e-mail turns out to be a alternative to telephone conversation and eliminates the time spent in establishing phone calls. For a telephone conversation to materialize, both the called must be present simultaneously. Some studies indicate that as much and 70 percent of the business phone calls during business hours do not succeed in the first attempt due to unavailability of the party being called. E-mail permits communication between two parties without the parties actually being present simultaneously. Privacy is insured as the mail is delivered to an individual’s mail box which can be accessed or opened only by the intended recipient.
E-mail has brought about a revolution in modern communication. Message can be transmitted from one country to another within seconds. It is far cheaper than telephone calls. Trade and commerce has become greatly dependent on this speedy mode of communication. It has, however, not reached everyone, especially in developing countries like ours, as most people cannot afford to have a personal computer. But even people have started using commercially operated e-mail facilities for important purposes.

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