EMAIL and the WORLD WIDE WEB:

Exchanging 'electronic mail or email' is one of the most popular features of the 'Internet'.  The Internet consists of thousands of connected networks across the world, where each network is a collection of computers that are connected to share information.  I think that most people are aware how the Internet has transformed communication and its impact on the availability of information on almost anything.

Two particular aspects of Internet use which have been largely responsible for its rapid and tremendous growth are the 'World Wide Web' and email.

The World Wide Web involves both graphic and simple text documents with 'hyperlinks', that is links that allow the user to move around a document and jump from one document to another and to other parts of the Internet.

Access to the Web is via 'browser' software – this is a computer program that lets you view and explore information on the World Wide Web – and two of the most common are Microsoft® 'Internet Explorer®' and Netscape® 'Communicator®'.

Email is a particularly quick, useful and cheap way of communicating with individuals and groups, provided you know their email 'addresses'.

The university provides free access to the Internet and free email service whilst you are studying.  However as with all university services, there are regulations that govern their use, details of which can be found in your Student Handbook.  

If you want to use your own computer from home you will need to establish an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who will provide the network connection to the World Wide Web, usually via your telephone line.  ISPs vary in cost, and quality of service and you may still also have to pay for the cost of the telephone call all the time that you are connected (on-line).  So you need to be selective before you commit yourself to any expense.

Essential browser and email skills include:

Browser:

• Opening and closing browser software and logging onto the Internet.
• Opening a specific web location.
• Bookmarking and retrieving a web page.
• Using standard search engines to locate information.

Email:

• Opening and closing email software.
• Retrieving, writing, deleting, replying and forwarding email messages.

Slightly more advanced key skills would include:

• Choosing relevant search engines and or Web portals.
• Using advanced search strategies.
• Critically evaluating information found on the Web and correctly citing Web reference sources.
• Using the mail bin.
• Sending messages to several people at the same time.
• Creating group addresses.
• Opening and saving, and sending email attachments.

Formal emails
You may already be used to communicating with friends and family with email.  However, like any medium of communication, our style needs to reflect the type of person you are dealing with.

For example, when emailing a friend the greeting 'Hi Tony' would be quite acceptable - but not perhaps so suitable when emailing your tutor or lecturer.

The more formal 'Dear Dr. James' would be more appropriate here and although the 'Dear' is not strictly necessary, the general feeling is that this is more polite than just 'Dr. James'.

Similarly, it is best not to end your email with 'Yours sincerely' as you would a letter, but 'Regards' or 'Best Regards' seem to be quite common and acceptable.