11-30-2004, 08:00 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Email � A Thing of the Past?
"The email era is coming to an end because replacement communication means such as Internet messengers, mini-homepages (dubbed "one-man media"), and SMS are wielding their power. As a consequence, the stronghold of email, once the favorite of the Internet, is being shaken from its roots."
Oh dear. The world's tech-savvy nations never cease to amaze me. Reading this article made me feel a little old and withered. :|
While IM and SMS are a godsend, I personally feel as though they don't yet fulfil the role of being complete email replacements. I always saw email as being a fast and easy way to relay both formal and informal communication from one person to another, yet it was never meant to be instantly replied to. So comparing emails to IM and SMS can be very "apples-and-oranges" to say the least. It will be interesting to see how far this goes though. Emails have long killed the pen-and-paper letters that were around decades ago. Whether IM and SMS kills off email is a whole new concept to be explored. Only time will tell. So I guess the people in Korea won't be wanting their Gmail invites then. 
What are your thoughts? Will email still be around for many years to come, or do you think it's drawing to an end and is in dire need of a replacement?
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11-30-2004, 08:14 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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I have to agree
Even in my professional life, email is becomming less and less of a useful tool. In my company, IM rules the roost. e-mail is left for nothing but sending fiels and calendar invites.
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11-30-2004, 08:26 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
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I work with many small businesses who are JUST NOW getting comfortable with e-mail. It takes a small business forever to get comfortable with technology and to use it to it's full potential.
Considering that small business is the biggest employer in the United States, it's going to be years before e-mail goes away, if ever. I would say to re-visit this question in 10 years.
If only there was an easier way to get rid of SPAM... We solve this, then e-mail will be around for MUCH longer. Are we listening world leaders?
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11-30-2004, 08:27 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,520
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As far as function is concerned, I think that IM is the same as a telephone call.
Personally I prefer email on both sides of the conversation. Especially when there is real information to be passed.
As a developer, I like being able list the entire scenarion. Give all the options. As a fully qualified question.
Then allow the other person to read it, think about it and give me back an informed reply.
Phone calls often end with "Let look at it and get back to you."
It doesn't do me any good to put someone on the spot when they can't give me the best answer.
If its something quick, then sure IM, or perhaps get up and walk over. 8O
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11-30-2004, 08:46 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 429
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IM is good for instant, informal communication. It's also good for things like still being able to converse with my friend in California when I live in New Jersey. Great for maintaining ties with otherwise good friends who never did respond to snail or email.
In my company, email is still a pretty good tool. I think that for personal applications, it may start to move over. Just as junk mail has taken over the 1st class service from the Post Office, and telemarketing has taken over the telephones, personal email is giving way to spam. But for formal communication, it still has a lot of life left in it and companies are just barely starting to scratch the surface of what can be done with it.
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11-30-2004, 08:51 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 276
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I'm a techi kinda guy and I have never felt the urge to IM. If I want a bunch of technical questions answered I send a email, if I need to talk to someone I call them or walk (heavens no, no walk) to their office.
IM is a toy for teens to play with...
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11-30-2004, 08:57 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 429
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I definitely won't get into an IM chat with someone who can't use somewhat proper English, but I've found it to be useful for casual chatting, when possible.
When I have problems with my DSL that don't involve my connection, I both call their tech support number and log on to their tech support chat. Whichever one gets picked up first I use and I disconnect the other one. I've found the chat to be fairly useful, and one operator can handle several problems at once rather than one.
I wouldn't want to do a chat on my cell phone. It's hard enough to put in names with the number pad.
I think there's still a lot of undiscovered potential for IM that adults and "geeks" such as myself can use without the silly language and spelling.
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11-30-2004, 08:59 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 92
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bleah.
I'll take email over IM for just the reasons the article claims Koreans prefer IM. I don't like being a slave to the tyranny of the urgent. Email gives me a chance to formulate an intelligent informed answer and it can wait until it's convenient for me to answer. IM is like the phone - it demands immediate attention and interrupts the flow of my work. Some interesting thoughts in this thread though - "Just as junk mail has taken over the 1st class service from the Post Office, and telemarketing has taken over the telephones, personal email is giving way to spam." Very good point.
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11-30-2004, 09:08 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,466
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IM & Email would combine....
...I'd say the two would become one and the same....kinda like calling someone and getting their voice mail. Seems like the most logical.
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11-30-2004, 09:34 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 179
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I usually use two forms at once... send a long email followed by a short text or im ... "check your email!" =]
Generally, I only resort to email when my contact isnt on an instant messenger, and its to late or innapropriate to call. I usually follow up with an SMS because it is true, people seem to check their email less and less these days, but at the same time we want instant gratification.
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