Electronic Mail (Email)

Details - Frequently Asked Questions - Anecdotes - Links to other sites


Definition: Electronic Mail is a mechanism for sending messages across a computer network (such as the Internet). The text of the message is typed in on one computer and then is sent to someone else on the network. The recipient of the message reads it on his/her computer and can then delete the message, file it on the computer, print it, send a reply or forward it to other people on the network. Email is standard abbreviation for Electronic Mail.
Discussion: Prior to the Internet most Email was confined to individual organisations using a variety of different Email software systems. The Internet has provided a means of connecting all these local systems. So now it is possible for most people on Email to reach other Email users wherever they are in the world.
More Details (sometimes Technical): Every Email user has a mail box into which his/her mail is placed. This mailbox is usually a file on a computer on the network. The mail is placed in the mailbox, often within seconds of it being sent. The recipient will see the mail next time they look in their mailbox.; If you have an Internet Email address it will be in this form John@hyperglossary.co.uk (that is my Email address). "hyperglossary.co.uk" is the domain name of the HyperGlossary and "John" is a unique identification for me within the team that works on the HyperGlossary. ISPs and some other companies also offer Email addresses. For example I could have an email address with Dial Pipex such as John_Triance@dial.pipex.com.
Frequently Asked Questions: How can you get an Email address? If you connect directly to the Internet from your machine using a modem, your service provider will almost certainly provide you with an Email address. If you access the Internet from a network in your office you should check with your IT person. Another alternative to both of these is to get a Web based email - see links below.; Can you send Email messages to people who do not have email accounts? Yes. Some postal services are offering this. For example the UK Royal Mail will deliver an email message anywhere in the world within 24 hours. It costs 1.5 UK pounds to send 32 lines of text.
Anecdotes: None yet
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Terms A-Z

For free Email	yahoo or hotmail or bigfoot
For a huge choice of free email options	internet email list