Electronic Mail, known as E Mail, is a good tool for businesses because it gives them remote access to customers and information. E mail can contain simple memos, software or graphic files. There are three ways for users to take advantage of E Mail: online services, E Mail carriers, and the Internet. Users of online services can retrieve information from data bases, in addition to sending and receiving messages. E Mail only carriers such as MCI Mail, provide some unique features such as fax broadcasting on letterhead, transforming E Mail into US mail and itemized bills to charge customers. The Internet is the least user friendly service because users must learn unique commands to send and receive mail. However, the advantage of using the Internet is that businesses can send and receive mail without additional costs beyond the monthly access fee.
E-mail has distinct advantages over alternative messaging methods. It is faster than the postal service, and faster and less expensive than courier services. There are also drawbacks to the e-mail system, such as possible security threats, and the need for user training time. These factors cannot be ignored by businesses switching to this system (Dologite, 1992, 184-185).
The computer has developed over the past forty-five years, first slowly, and then with great rapidity as new developments signaled changes in structure and operation. Computers have become smaller and more powerful to the degree that now many people have on their desk at home a computer more powerful than the largest mainframe of the 1950s. These advances have been made by a number of new and developing companies, notably those in the so-called Silicon Valley near San Francisco. These companies are in fierce competition for new designs, more powerful hardware, more versatile computer chips, and more inventive software.
The underlying principles of computers are well understood, and every computer thus ...