E-MAIL
E-MAIL The Internet is a worldwide network of computers. It is composed of millions of server computers that perform different tasks, which feature such services as data-sharing, electronic messaging, and on-line commerce. In my opinion there are six major parts of the Internet -- Email, WWW, Chat rooms, Newsgroups, Gopher and FTP sites, and special communication programs.
In this newsletter, let's look at e-mail. It is probably the most used section of the Internet. Email or electronic mail lets you communicate almost instantly with others around the world.
An email account is usually part of your Internet provider's service. This may require a special mail program like Outlook, Eudora, or the pop email system, which is a part of you browser program (Netscape or Internet Explorer). Your provider usually gives you the information on how to setup your email account on your computer. This email account usually can only be accessed on your home computer.
Do you have to have an Internet provider to have an email address? The answer to this question is no. Anyone who has access to the Internet can set up an email account through a site that offers email service. It is sort of like owning a post office box on the Internet.
Two popular free email systems are Hotmail and Yahoo. The free systems are particularly nice since you can access your email from anywhere in the world as long as you can get access to the Internet. Type in hotmail.com or yahoo.com and see how easy it is to get a free email account. You do not have to use you own name. This can have its good and bad points.
Once you have an email account, you now have an email address. This is the address that someone uses to write you. Let's look at the school's email address:
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Email services help people to communicate instantly or it holds messages until the recipient checks his or her mailbox. Electronic mail is a super way to stay in touch or communicate.
It is fine for a child to have an email address, but parents should have access to all passwords and be able to access their child's email account in the case of an emergency. This is for your child's protection. This does not mean a parent should go in and read all the child's email, but they should have access.
One major reason for this is spanning. Spanning is unsolicited and sometimes sexually explicit email. It is illegal to send this type of mail, but many people have fallen victim to spanning, especially children. Remember, it is illegal to span or send unsolicited mail of any type. Children need to be warned about this problem and should be encouraged to tell you if this happens to them. This must be reported to your provider or to the provider of the person who spanned.
Also, warn children that if they send unsolicited or questionable email, they can also get in big trouble. Many companies have disconnected Internet service because of the misuse of the email system by children. Children who abuse this system and are caught could be prosecuted. My service just issued a warning to all customers to watch their children's use of the email system. They said several children had been caught spanning. If caught, the provider has the right and the responsibility to disconnect you from the Internet.
Email can be a wonderful thing. I heard someone say that they have never kept in touch with friends as much as they have recently because of email. We are starting to use our email systems to let our students to talk to students in other states. Right now the 4th grade is talking to a school in Maryland. It is a great form of communications as long as it is used properly and responsibly.
If you have any questions about email or have an interest in another topic, please feel free to email me here at the school.
Debbie Schweitzer