Module 2 Overview

Started on Module 2 today, which is mainly concerned with the various methods of communication via the internet including email and instant messenging plus ones that I am not so familiar with, newsgroups and email lists.

The purpose of this Module is to basically familiarise myself with online communication as a whole, exploring the capablities of various internet communication tools and learning how to utilise them effectively in addition to understanding the concepts behind them.

Below is a brief overview of some of the key communication tools covered in Module 2:


Email:

Using email as an effective management and communication tool.


Email Lists:

A central email address that forwards messages to the other addresses specified in a list. Email lists are run by a program on a server called a list server. Lists can be set up by registering the list, and its members, with the list server program. The program then organises the transfer of messages from the list's email address to all the members of the list. But it can also organise other services at the same time, such as archiving the messages sent through the list so that they can be accessed as pages via the Web.


Newsgroups:

Newsgroups are a public forum on the internet where one can share information on a topic of interest of which the Newsgroup has been set up for. People can post and reply to other peoples topics and views.

Chat & Messenging:

An electronic form of communication that involves immediate correspondence bewtween two or more parties that are online at the same time.

I use email on a regular basis, probably more than any other form of internet communication. Mainly Outlook Express, (though I am thinking of changing to Mozilla's Thunderbird), and also Lotus Notes at work. Reading this module, I could relate to much of the content revolving around email and it's use. My role in my last job included liasing with clients via email and the company I worked for enforced certain protocols that had to be followed with regards to its use. Using email in an efficient and organised fashion was essential when dealing with large, continuous flows of correspondence.

Having never used Newsgroups or Email Lists, I currently have no idea how they are utilised, though I am sure this will change by the end of Module 2.

I used ICQ many years ago and can't recall too much about it, other than it seemed similar to MSN, which I have, but use only on occasion. I think mobile technology has tended to replace my need for MSN, mainly due to it's convenience.



Web Resources:

Mobbs, Paul. "GreenNet CSIR Toolkit Briefing." 2002.http://www.fraw.org.uk/library/005/gn-irt/glossary.html#email_list (accessed March 14, 2007).

"Communicating in the Infosphere."http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed March 14, 2007).