EOTO#1: Invention of the Email

Email is defined as "messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network." The first mail system was very limited. Individuals would have only been able to communicate through computers that were exactly the same make and model, within a close proximity. Also, if too many people were using a computer system at the same time, messages would not send properly. Computer-based mail and communication capabilities were expanded with the invention of "time-sharing." Time-sharing is "the sharing of a computing resource among many users at the same time by means of multiprogramming and multitasking." This made it so that more than one individual could use the messaging system at a time. Time-sharing was a huge building block that led to the creation of the email. The email was officially created in 1965 by Ray Tomlinson. He is credited with creating the email as he was the first individual to send one. Even after Tomlinson's first email, messages could not be sent to computers that were different models. The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) clearly determined protocols that were necessary for the exchange of emails from dissimilar computers. ARPANET's original intended purpose wast to connect computers through telephone lines, for research agencies supported by the Pentagon. To date, there are currently 3.8 billion active email accounts. This invention caught on with the public because it is quick and they replaced the need to send written letters in the mail, which could take forever to reach the recipient or could even be lost en route. 

There are several positives and negative concerning emails. Emailing systems are not challenging to use, and it is a fast and efficient way to converse with people. Email is also convenient as the recipient does not have to be present for the email to actually come through. Numerous copies can be made of an email if it is sent to a large group of people. Much like the "reads" feature on my iPhone, users also hav the ability to send an email with read receipts on it. Emails can be prepared as drafts so that you can take your time drafting them. Messages can be encrypted to keep private information secure.

Even though email is for the most part a positive invention, there are a few cons. I think that we can all agree the worst aspect of email is receiving spam mail everyday. Annoying spam mail can build up and overcrowd your mailbox. If you people do not have wifi, they cannot send emails. It can also be irritating to find the right email as many individuals constantly change their email address. Occasionally, email attachments can contain viruses that damage your computer or gather personal information. I use my email everyday. In fact I have three different emails that I use each day. I think I receive an average of about 30-40 emails per day. I like the fact that email is a more formal method of communication. Sometimes people use text message too casually by incorporating a lot of slang terms and abbreviations that can be difficult to understand. Moreover, email is present in my life similarly to almost four billion other individuals, and it is an extremely helpful resource.