Introduction to Computers

1. Introduction to Computers

2. forms of Electronic Communication • The most frequently used form of electronic communication is e-mail, but others include: • Instant messaging • Online bulletin boards • Social media web sites

3. Who can use e-mail? • Anyone with: • An Internet connection • An e-mail account • An e-mail account provides you with: • Access to a mailbox, a storage area for messages • A unique e-mail address consisting of: • A user name rvirgo for example • A domain name haywood.edu for example • Every user name within a domain must be unique • Put them together and you get a unique email address such as rvirgo@haywood.edu

4. How do I get an e-mail Account? • Usually get an e-mail account from your ISP • Your ISP may provide you several e-mail accounts • Many get e-mail accounts from other sources: • Work • School • Major Internet portals provide free e-mail accounts: • Google (Gmail) • Yahoo • Microsoft (Hotmail)

5. Viewing an E-mail Every e-mail has a sender An e-mail must have a recipient. This one was sent to a group of people (HCC-Everyone) Fill in subject line or your e-mail may be ignored Body of message

6. Sending a basic e-mail • Supply the recipient’s e-mail address • Can type the e-mail address • Or choose recipient e-mail from an address book • Provide a subject line • Be sure your e-mail isn’t misjudged as “junk” • Type your message • Add any attachments • Any type of file(s) can be attached to an e-mail • Click Send

7. Replying and Forwarding • Upon receiving a message you can forward it, reply to it, or both • Forwarding • Original message is copied to new e-mail • Enter address of person(s) to receive this message • Can add a note telling why you’re passing it along • Replying • Sends your message back to same person or group • No need to specify recipients, just the message

8. E-mail attachments • Can attach any type of file to an e-mail • A picture, video, mp3 file, word document… anything • Can attach as many files as you like • Attachments travel with the e-mail • Can be opened or saved by the recipient • Always explain e-mail attachments • Attached files can be used to spread viruses • Explain purpose and reason to recipient when sending an attachment or it may not be opened

9. Attachments can spread viruses • Take caution when opening attachments • Any executable attachment such as a .exe, .zip or .vb file can potentially spread a virus • Question every attachment before opening • Do I know this person? • Does it make sense to receive this type of file from this person? • Did they explain the attachment? • Does the e-mail exhibit any personal knowledge of me such as mentioning my name in the text?

10. address books • Most e-mail systems supply an address book • Holds contact information for people you e-mail • Includes name and address • Phone numbers, typically home, work, and cell • As well as home and work e-mail addresses • Can select address book name as e-mail recipient • Can set up groups of contacts in address book • Allows you to easily e-mail all contacts in the group • Great for e-mailing all partners in a group project

11. Use of blind carbon copy • Recipients of a group e-mail automatically get everyone else’s e-mail address • This may not always be desirable • Allows anyone to “pirate” your list • Blind carbon copy (Bcc:) lets you hide recipients of a group e-mail from each other • Add e-mail addresses to Bcc: list instead of To: • For example, students in an academic program • May not want them to see everyone else’s e-mail

12. Good e-mail practices • Use both uppercase and lowercase • All uppercase considered the equivalent of yelling • Your e-mail may be ignored if you fail to: • Explain all attachments • Use a meaningful subject line • Think before sending a huge attachment • Dial-up can take an hour to receive the attachment your broadband connection sends in a minute. • Notify others if you get an e-mail based virus

13. Be cautious about what you send • Some don’t want their inbox filled with “jokes” • Think before responding to pyramid schemes • The “send this to 7 friends” sort of message • Or the sad picture with “I hope I get one share” • Don’t forward hoaxes • Take a moment to investigate before sending • Never send an e-mail when angry • People often say things in an e-mail they would never say face-to-face • If angry, wait a day before responding

14. Two basic types of e-mail systems • POP – the type of e-mail you get from your ISP • Incoming messages use Post Office Protocol (POP3) • Outgoing uses Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) • Message text located on your hard disk • Need an e-mail program on your computer to receive, view, and respond to messages • Web-based e-mail • Used by Internet portals, employers, schools, etc. • Message text located on a server • Web browser used to view & respond to messages

15. Pop versus web-based e-mail • POP • Once received, user has total control over message • Can view, edit & compose responses while offline • Only need to be online to send and receive • Must connect to your ISP to receive your messages • Web-based e-mail • More limited control, provider controls message • Must be online when viewing or responding • Work with your e-mail from any internet connection

16. Instant Messaging • Similar to a phone call but uses a series of typed messages instead of voice conversation • Messages are sent and received as they are typed • Limited number of participants, not available to all • Participants decide who can join the conversation • Can be a one-to-one exchange or a larger group • Often used to provide customer service • Instead of a single phone call, 1 service rep can handle several instant message conversations • Software is a free download from MSN, Yahoo, etc.

17. Bulletin Boards • Put messages on public forums in order to: • Exchange opinions • Discuss topics • Pose questions about difficult problems • No immediate reply, not a real-time discussion • A response could come in minutes or days • Bulletin boards exist for every conceivable topic • Great for solving problems • Post a description of your issue to an appropriate forum • Chances are someone has the answer you need

18. Social media • Examples are Facebook, LinkedIn, & MySpace • A form of online networking • Users share info about themselves and others • Consider carefully what you choose to share • A CareerBuilder.com study shows 45% of employers use social media to screen candidates • Avoid inapproriate photos, mention of drugs or alcohol, and insulting previous employers • Many employees have been fired due to comments made in social media