Email is the opportunity revisited. Let's focus on its positive uses today. In Opportunity Revisited: Email Part 1, the history and types of early forms of email were discussed.
Although a wide range of instant electronic messaging systems flourish today, including IM, Plurk and Skype, email remains a viable option for those with limited connectivity or access to computers. Email also can be used as a more formal mode of electronic communication.
I continue to use email, but my modes of usage have changed over the years. Normally those uses now include:
* Subscriptions
* Group sign up
* official interactions
* personal interactions
Like many in my Professional Learning Network, I maintain an email address used when subscribing to various applications and sign-ups for groups that I have just discovered. Since I don't want to be spammed or attacked, Using this technique, I try to quarantine new subscriptions and other group sign-ups to this email address. If this email address is attacked through a virus, malware or theft of my identity, very few of my personal or long-term professional contacts will be included in the attack. While this may not create a fool-proof response, it is a basic layer of protection that I can maintain myself.
A specific email address for official and personal interactions can also be used. If I want to address an issue with my governmental representatives, work with colleagues or communicate with other businesses and agencies, I can.....because of the very nature of email. Namely, asynchronicity in all its forms.
Since email is considered a legal document, it also becomes a valid method of formal communication. That brings up another point, email is FORMAL communication, just as snail mail is, so I suggest that caution and minimalism should be used when sending email.
How are you using email today?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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2 comments:
I have my own domain (brentjones.org) so I use brent@brentjones.org as my main personal email address.
When I subscribe to a service like zoho.com I might use zoho@brentjones.org as a "throw away account"
I have a gmail address and use a Yahoo group for keeping in contact with 2 other couples in a home Bible study.
I also have some of my own mailing lists, like family@brentjones.org which goes out to 8 people.
I also have a work account.
My thought is that we are still in the Model T days of email and www/Internet use. Eventually each person will have a secure government account through the post office that will tie to your personal identity for tax, voting and other official email. It would be legal as if it was a printed notarized document. And it would be archived for your life time.
This an excellent idea for the expansion and protection of an individual's online presence.
"Eventually each person will have a secure government account through the post office that will tie to your personal identity for tax, voting and other official email. It would be legal as if it was a printed notarized document. And it would be archived for your life time." says Brent Jones.
Having your own domain is a great solution for the present. I imagine you can more effectively control your email interactions.
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