|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Electronic Mail or Email?
Electronic mail is the use of a network to transmit text messages, memos, and reports. Users can send a message to one or more individual
users, to a predefined group, or to all users on the system. When you receive a message, you can read, print, forward, answer, or delete it.
Are there different types of Electronic Mail?
Yes. Not only are there different applications used to send and receive email such as MS Mail, VAX Mail, Eudora, Pine mail etc. but there are different network which handle the electronic correspondence
such as the MS Mail servers, the VAX, the Internet, Compuserve, America Online, Prodigy, etc.
What are the advantages of Electronic Mail?
EMail is very fast. A message you send from one side of the world can arrive at the other side in
a matter of minutes under the right conditions. Also, if a file exists on your computer you can normally send it as email either by copying the contents of the file into your mail message or by attaching the file to the message as an attachment or enclosure.
What problems exist with Electronic Mail?
Currently, the principal problem is one of security. The method used to transmit information across networks in not yet
secure. Perhaps in the near future a method of security will be implemented but until then it is the responsibility of each user to make their message secure by using encryption programs. Also, there is a problem of document exchange. Various email applications handle attachments or enclosures in a variety of different ways. Because of that, a user cannot always be certain that their attachment can be received properly by the recipient. Find out what mail application your intended recipient is using before sending the document as an enclosure.
What are some examples of Electronic Mail addresses?
Each address is specific to the type of network
and mail package being used. You must know the person's full Internet address: name@server.type of server field1@niehs.nih.gov (gov) com (commercial) edu (education) org (organization) And on other networks like Compuserve you need to know the user's account on that system: 73004,560
One of the most common mistakes people make is typos in the address. Unlike regular mail, even a one-letter error makes your message undeliverable.
When changing on-line services, allow about a month overlap between your old and new provider. When you receive messages at the old address during that month, tell the senders about your new email address. Few on-line
services will "forward" your email to your new address.
Information on finding email addresses
Writing Suggestions
- Think before you write.
- Make the subject count. Use the Subject line to get the reader's attention. Replace vague lines (Information on XYZ Project, or Status Report Q1) with better hooks: Exciting Career Opportunity, Serious Problems with the
New Veeblefetzer, or Free Money.
- don't type in all lower case (unless you re e.e. cummings). if you violate the rules of english grammar and usage, you make it difficult for the reader to read.
- Do not curse, keep your messages clean (i.e., no foul language).
- Don't SHOUT; do not use caps to write your messages. ALL CAPS IS A SIGN THAT YOU ARE ANGRY!
- Don't FLAME your readers. It's unprofessional to lose control in person; to do so in writing usually just makes the situation worse.
- Keep your signatures short (up to 5-6 lines) - long signatures bother people.
- If you are sending personal email on a company account, put a disclaimer in the signature.
- Sample Disclaimer: The opinions above are my own and do not represent my employer.
- Assume that your public messages may be forwarded to other people.
- Your written message can be saved and quoted.
- Sarcasm doesn't work on email. Please remember this is spoken word and the other party cannot see your facial expression.
- Use smileys when meaning might be ambiguous :-)
- If you need to convey an emotion use the following emoticon symbols: (All symbols need to be looked at from the side). :-) smiley face :-c bummed out >:-> devilish :-( frown :-S incoherent :-| indifferent :-D laughing
>:-< mad :-> sarcastic :-@ screaming :-/ skeptical :-o surprised :-& tongue tied :-O uh, no :-\ undecided
- Check your email at least 3 times a week.
- Keep your messages as private as possible (do not let a message that is potentially embarrassing to you sit on the computer screen for a passerby to read).
- Sometimes it is good to respond to questions posed to you on email by including the question at the beginning of your answer. Put the question in quotes.
- When responding to a question or comment from another party do not just put me too or I agree as a response and then send it. Explain your answers as to why you agree or disagree.
- If you do receive a message that you do not understand or could be misinterpreted (i.e., you thought it was an angry or sarcastic message) do not respond over email. Call or meet with your party to clear the intent of
the message up.
- Save important email messages (i.e., exit slips for classes, important messages).
- DO NOT give out your email password.
- Read and write all email offline to avoid wasting connect time (change setting of immediate send to queue).
- Emily Postnews, foremost authority on proper net behavior, gives her advice on how to act on the net at http://www.clari.net/brad/emily.html
Software Packages
- If you have a PPP (point to point protocol) or SLIP Internet connection, you do not have to use the email package supplied by the Internet service provider.
- EMail popular packages are: Eudora Light, Pegasus, Pine mail
- Most email packages have a spell checker - use it. Even simpl tipos will make you look sloppie and damage you re proffessional credubility.
- Telephone lists or alias lists or nicknames save you time and help you avoid address mistakes.
Mailing Lists
Tips for mailing lists
- Stick to the group's subject
- Respect opinions that differ from yours.
- Avoid chain letters.
- The "good times virus" is a hoax.
- If you get too many individual messages from a list you can request the once a day digest.
- Listproc, Listserv and Majordomo are machines that except list commands.
- Don't send "unsubscribe" messages to everyone on a mailing list. It's quite rude. If you don't know how to unsubscribe, email the list owner.
- Be careful you don't send a personal message to a public mailing list!
- If you belong to a discussion group please remember that anything you write will go to the entire list of people who belong to that list.
- Respond to questions or comments posted on discussion group privately if it does not add significantly to the conversation. If you want to hold a personal conversation then respond privately.
Educational Newsgroups
Information about newgroups
Penpals
It may be smart to first work class to class with telepals. Many students have been disappointed when individuals do not write back.
IECC is intended for teachers seeking other teachers for international and intercultural classroom e-mail partnerships at
PRIMARY or SECONDARY school levels. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an e-mail message to: "iecc-request@stolaf.edu"
Kidlink
A global curricular conference for kids ages 10-15,
conducted in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Norwegian and Hebrew. Membership is required, but free. Users: Over 23,000 kids from over 60 countries so far. Uses: student discussions on various topics, as well as numerous teacher/student-centered discussion lists. Contact: Odd de Presno, opresno@extern.uio.no.
[ Back ]
|
