Internet Communication
by S. Housley
Email, Instant Messaging, Blogs, RSS, Forums and Listservs: What's Next?
By S. 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.
About the Author
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net
a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging
software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.feedforall.com
, http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net
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