E-Mail: The Cons

Now we will discuss the cons:


1. E-Mail is impersonal. While email is definitely extremely easy, it is nothing like having a face to face conversation or physically writing a letter.

2. E-mail is so easy to use, that a message can be written and sent extremely quickly, even in a fit of rage. Once a message is sent, there is no way to get it back, even if it has not yet been viewed. This can be personally damaging to some people who do not think carefully before they send and act on their emotions.

3. E-Mail security is very weak. Many people in the modern era do shopping online, with their receipts and order summaries, and thus credit card information, going into their email. This information then becomes possibly viewable to others trying to hack in.

4. In email, one can only send text or videos and pictures. While through "snail mail" one can send actually objects and presents.

5. Email filters are also extremely weak. Often times, needed messages will go to the junk box, while unnecessary emails often make their way into the inbox. They often offer some sort of monetary prize causing the person to obliviously open the email and either a.) cause many companies to now have their email address, or b.) cause  the spread of damaging viruses via email.

E-Mail: The Pros

Now we will discuss the Pros:


1. E-mail is easy! It is foolproof to use. The hardest part of using email is connecting to the internet, and even that is quite easy to do. 
2. There is no software to download to use email. Aside from an internet connection, one does not need to download a program to use email. 
3. It's FREE! There are no gross stamps to lick, no need to cramp your hands writing, and no freezing cold trips to the mailbox.
4. With the concept of an "Address Book", one can save all their friends/family/coworkers addresses saving time needed to either a.) remember their addresses, or b.) take the time to tediously write them all down. At the click of a button one can just simply add them to the composition. One can even create groups on their contacts to send a mass email to all family members, etc.
5. Email is fast. Whether the person is on the other side of the town, or the other side of the world, sending an email is instant. 
6. Important emails can be easily saved and stored in organized "folders"
7. You can attach files and photos to emails and share them with anyone you choose. 

E-Mail: The Basics

E-Mail, or Electronic Mail, is one of the most significant and widely used developments in modern technology. It allows someone to write letters to family, friends, co-workers on the computer and send them to other email addresses.
  

     E-Mail Providers:

mail.yahoo.com

mail.google.com

hotmail.com

Next up we will discuss the pros of E-Mail!

Instant Messaging: The Cons

Now we will discuss the cons of Instant Messaging

1. Instant Messaging provides a level of anonymity, a complete hazard. Anyone can make a screen-name and say they are someone else. They can even pretend they are someone else. There have been multiple instances in the news where students pretend they are someone else so that they can cyber bully someone online. Cyber Bullying is a major issue in this day and age, it is becoming dangerous.

2. The Slang or Lingo used in Instant Messaging conversations has become common in areas that are not appropriate. Teachers are complaining that students use the slang in their essays and class work. In a day and age where speaking on the internet is a daily occurrence from a young age, kids do not fully understand the important of having correct writing in school and not using their online lingo.

3. Viruses are incredibly easy to send via Instant Messaging. Security is very weak and easy to penetrate and send viruses dangerous to a computer. It is important to be careful who you speak to and to make sure you are only speaking and sharing files with people you know and trust.

Links:

http://stopcyberbullying.org/

Phoebe Prince- Cyber Bullying Story

Citation for further reading: Perelman, Deb. 2008. "The pros and cons of IM." eWeek 25, no. 19: 10. Vocational and Career Collection, EBSCOhost (accessed April 27, 2011).

Instant Messaging: The Pros

Now we'll get into the major pros of Instant Messaging

1. It's FREE! Instant Messaging, whether it be AIM or Yahoo Messenger etc, is completely free.
2. It is easy to install and use.
3. You can monitor who is allowed to speak to you, and the programs give you the ability to block anyone you do not wish to speak to. If the person is bullying you, it is just the click of a button to make them disappear.
4. With a massive amount of "Emoticons" or Faces in various emotions, it is extremely easy to show your emotions to who you are speaking to.

5. In a world of getting everything fast, Instant Messaging is no exception. Responses are rapid-fire and instantaneous. 

6. People can multi-task by having multiple conversations at once. 

7. Due to its free cost, it is easy to communicate with people beyond your region. You can freely communicate with people in other countries.

8. Instant Messaging has video-audio capabilities, allowing you to see and hear the person you are speaking to.

9. Companies can use Instant Messaging to speak to their across country or overseas branches. It makes communication between employees easy. Employees no longer have to rely on telephone, especially given its long distance pricing rates. 

10. Instant Messaging programs have file sharing capabilities allowing you to send documents, pictures and music quickly to other people using the program.

Here are links to various Instant Messaging programs, check them out!

http://www.aim.com/

http://messenger.yahoo.com/

http://www.google.com/talk/

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-messenger?os=other

Citation for further reading: http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_035107.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_035107

Instant Messaging: The Basics

Instant Messaging is a great tool for computer users. It is a way to have a quick rapid fire conversation with someone who may be nowhere near you. The concept of Instant Messaging has been integrated into many other programs. Facebook and Myspace both have an IM capability. Most emails also have the capability to go "online" and talk to people within your contacts list.
Instant Messaging programs such as Yahoo, AIM and Google Talk have also enabled audio/video capabilities, making them quite similar to Skype (which will be discussed later). For Mac users, the IM program is called iChat.
Instant Messaging is cost effective as it is entirely free and it is completely instant. The world is at your fingertips and you can talk to people from absolutely anywhere.
Next up we'll explore the pros and cons of Instant Messaging!