At the workplace, and at home, for that matter, email is one of the most utilized tools for communication, even though it’s been around since the dark ages – 1971.
Email was first “invented” by Ray Tomlinson, and it was used by ARPANET where Ray worked.
Nevertheless, there is some controversy here.
A man named Shiva Ayyadurai claims to have “invented” the first true email. He copyrighted his invention in 1982.
Regardless of which is the true inventor, let’s consider the advantages and disadvantages that email offers to the user.
What are the Advantages of Email?
1 It’s completely free
Once online, there’s no cost to sending or receiving email.
2 It’s quick
You compose your message, you click on a button – the correct button (unlike my mother) – and it’s sent.
Frequently, emails are read almost as soon as they are dispatched.
3 It’s simple
Email is easy to use. You set up an email account. You compose your message. You address it to whomever you wish to send it to. You send (by clicking on the correct button, unlike my mother).
4 Easy referencing
All messages that are sent and received can then be stored.
You can search through these stored emails with ease.
Fact is, it’s far easier and faster to sift through stored emails than it is to sift through a mass of notes penned onto paper.
5 You can access email from anywhere
… on the provision you have some form of internet connection.
6 Paperless = not harmful to our planet
You don’t need paper unless you’re intent on printing your emails. And because you don’t need paper, there’s no wastage of trees.
7 You can send an email to a ton of different people simultaneously
A single email message can be dispatched to numerous different recipients at the touch of a button.
What about the Disadvantages of Email?
1 Viruses
Emails can contain viruses. If you receive messages from folks that you are not familiar with, just be aware that not all emails are friendly emails. Not all senders are friendly senders.
Email attachments occasionally have a malicious intent.
2 Information overload
It’s ever so easy for a single individual to send out hundreds of emails at the touch of a button.
In this event, it’s ever so easy for your email inbox to be overloaded with emails in no time.
How to decide which emails are important enough to merit your attention, and which emails should just be trashed?
3 Misunderstandings
Emails are an excellent form of nonverbal communication.
However, because it is nonverbal, miscommunication can and does occur regularly.
4 There’s no personal touch
When you send email, there’s little to no personal touch, so to speak.
When you send a written letter, it’s much more personal. Even a typed letter has a little bit more of a personal touch than email.
5 Disruptive nature
Emails take time to read and to respond to.
As such, if you’re trying to get on with work, and emails are not part of your work schedule, your time can quickly evaporate when dealing with emails.