Page 113 - Computer Class 06

Email or Electronic Mail

The email refers to the transmission of messages over communication networks. As an
electronic method of messaging, it is fast and convenient and includes all the steps of

delivery of a message to a recipient–writing, sending, receiving and saving. A received
message can be handled in a variety of ways–it can be stored in a text file, forwarded
to other users or just deleted.

The contents of an email message can be some lines of keyboard typed text or files

stored on a computer or both. The email is the main method of business
communication world wide due to its flexibility and reliability. One of the best features
is that a message can be sent to several users simultaneously.

Pre-email Era

For thousands of years, people have been using various means to communicate with

each other. Some of these means of communication are:

Message by Fire : Fire was used as a means of communication in many parts of the
world. In 1588, a chain of bonfires was used to send warning signals from one end of
the country to the other.

Message by Runner : The most famous exchange of message took place in 490 BC,

when a runner named Pheidippides ran about 40 km to spread news of a Greek
victory at the Battle of Marathon. Even in India, Kings and Emperors stationed relay
horses to spread messages from one place to another.

Message by Pigeon : Pigeons have been used to send letters and messages for a long

time.
Organised Message : In AD 1, the first postal service was started by China, Persia,

and the Roman Empire. Messages were written on scrolls, and carried on horse-backs
or by ships. In such cases, messages would take weeks to arrive because of the long
distances. Later, armed mail coaches were used. The first mail by a train was sent in

the 19th century, making the postal service much cheaper to use. The first air mail
service began in 1918 between Washington DC and New York. Letters and packages
could be sent across the two cities in just two days.

Message by Wire : After the invention of telegraph in 1837, messages could be sent

over long distances very quickly. Telegraph machines spelled out words in Morse code
– a code in which combinations of dots and dashes make up each letter.

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