IT_Chapter_2B

Using E-mail

• Exchanges messages with other users

– Messages reach destination in seconds

– Mail waits in mailbox until opened

– Text, audio, pictures and video messages

• Configuring e-mail

– e-mail clients read and send e-mail

– Outlook and Eudora are common

• Need name of mail server

• Need username and password

– Hotmail and Yahoo are online clients

• No configuration needed

• e-mail addresses

– Unique address

– Allows sending and receiving

– Username@isp.com

• Listserv

– Lists of e-mail addresses

– Each address gets the e-mail

• e-mail actions

– Create a new message

– Send an attachment

– Reply to e-mail

– Open attachments

– Forward an e-mail

• News

– Public board devoted to a topic

– Thousands of topics available

– Messages are called threads

– Users can create threads

– Users can comment on threads

– Need a news reader program

Other Internet Features

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

– Copies files from a remote computer

– FTP client is needed

– Some sites require a password

• Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

– Real time communication system

– Multi-users with many channels (rooms)

– Channels are dedicated to a topic

– All users can read the comments

• Instant messaging (IM)

– Private, real-time communication

– Message sent only to listed users

– Buddy lists contain IM names

• Online services

– Company that offers access by subscription

– Banks, games and research

– America Online offers content and Internet

• Peer-to-peer (P2P) services

– User computers are connected together

– No centralized organization

– Users can communicate directly

– Users can share files