Communicating over the internet
Different ways
E-Mails
POP3
Is an abbreviation for Post Office Protocol 3, is the third version of a widespread method of receiving email. Much like the physical version of a post office clerk, POP3 receives and holds email for an individual until they pick it up. And, much as the post office does not make copies of the mail it receives, in previous versions of POP3, when an individual downloaded email from the server into their email program, there were no more copies of the email on the server; POP automatically deleted them.
IMAP4
IMAP allows you to access your email messages wherever you are; much of the time, it is accessed via the Internet. Basically, email messages are stored on servers. Whenever you check your inbox, your email client contacts the server to connect you with your messages. When you read an email message using IMAP, you aren't actually downloading or storing it on your computer; instead, you are reading it off of the server. As a result, it's possible to check your email from several different devices without missing a thing.
Keywords
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol to make telephone calls over the internet.
Latency
The time delay between the moment something is sent or said and the time it takes to be heard or seen.
ISP
Internet service provider e.g. virgin, BT etc.
Real Time
The actual time that something is happening, there and then
3G
Third generation wireless for mobile data
Instant Messaging
Advantages
- Quick and easy to communicate in real time
- People can work collaboratively
- The user online can see a conversation and decide whether or not to participate
- Can be accessed through smart phones, PDA's, and other portable devices
Disadvantages
- You need internet access
- Slow connections can cause problems with it being real time and cause latency
- Overuse can cause less face-to-face contact
- Conversations lack emotion
- Use of text language can affect English language skills
- Easier to chat than type
- If you are dyslectic you will find it hard to type
- There is no emotion in the conversation, so messages could be misinterpreted
VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocal)
Advantages
- Free if your internet access is unlimited - no phone bill
- Can be used with mobile devices if they have 3G
Disadvantages
- You need internet access
- Slow connections can cause problems with it being real time and cause latency
- Only works over the internet
- No phone number allocated to use normal telephones
- No geographical number i.e. if you call 999 they won't know where you are
Social Networking
Advantages
- Can connect to many at once
- Can arrange events
- Can share personal information
- Can personalise own space
- Share favourite websites and news
Disadvantages
- You need internet access
- Privacy issues