We're already touched on email here but I want to add a few things. E-mail is a great utility not only because you can send typed words but files as well. E-mails can also be saved for future reference, either on your computer or email server and e-mail can be access in several metjhods which completely customize your e-mail experience.
However, e-mail is not as quick as other methords nor does it happen in "real time" or at the time in which something is actually happening. When someone recieves an e-mail, it can be days, weeks or even months old becaue it can be sent to a person at a time when they are offline and not able to check their e-mail.
E-mail accounts can be affected by serveral factors: spam, lifetime of the account, website downtime and user error.
Spam is when you recieve a message which is specifically meant to advertise or annoy. It is often sent by robots - not real people - who may have picked your e-mail up off the internet or send mass e-mails to random e-mail possiblities, so it doesn't pay to reply.
Spam may also be sent by legitimate people and companies who websites you may have joined. Usually there is a way to "Opt out" from future mailings like these. Spam may also be sent my affiliates of legitimate companies and these affiliates may or may not be legitimate. It always pays to read the "Privacy Policy" when singing up for websites so you know whether they will give out personal information such as your e-mail address.
Lastly, spam can be generated by computer viruses on your own systems, a computer of anyone who has your address in their address book, your e-mail server or a server which hosts a website of which you are a part. Unfortunately, short of leving the internet the most you can do is protect you own system. Read more about that here.
Most email hosts require that you check your e-mail within a certain time frame and if, for some reason, you are unable to check your e-mail within this time frame you can lose not only your e-mail address but your e-mails, settings, and address book.
Downtime is another aspect of using e-mail. You are at "the mercy" of the server of website. If they are down, you will be unable to use your e-mail account and that can be quite frustrating if it is your only means of communication.
Human error is something which occurs in all aspects of life. It affects e-mail users mostly in regards to entering the correct recipient's address. A single incorrect keystroke and your e-mail will return as "Undeliverable" or, even worse, go to the wrong person!
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