part of the Media Technologies Dept.

WebCT Access

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Electronic Mail (email)?

What is Email?

Electronic mail (email) is a computer-based system for exchange of messages and other information, which may include textual and numeric data, computer programs, and graphics.   Email is one of the most common applications of time-shared computers, mainframe computer networks, and local area networks of microcomputers.  

Email also fulfills a widespread need for rapid, easy, inexpensive communication with individuals and groups.

How Does Electronic Mail Work?

Electronic mail applications vary across many software and hardware environments, but in essence, it is a computer-enhanced memorandum that usually includes the following:

• To: The ãToä is the email address of the person or person(s) receiving the email.  This is normally in the form of a user account, the ã@ä sign, and the machine name of the email server (e.g username@marshall.edu).  The email address is similar to a number and street address used for sending a letter via the U. S. Post Office.
• From: The ãFromä is the email address of the sending the email.  Similar to the ãToä address above.
• Date: The ãDateä is automatically included by the system.
• Subject: The ãSubjectä line is usually a few key words typed by the sender.
• Body: The ãBodyä is the content of the memorandum is entered either from the keyboard or by including a previously composed file (such as from a word processor). The completed memorandum is sent to the recipient(s), who at some later time can issue a command to read, reply, delete, print, forward, or file.

• Day-to-day communication traditionally accomplished by phone, postal service, and overnight courier is probably the most common use of email. Electronic mail is timely and convenient, and provides inexpensive access to colleagues.
• Data exchanges, including committee work, program planning, making data requests, conducting surveys of colleagues, exchanging program information and policies are another common use of electronic mail and are increasing across and between campuses and associations. Use of electronic mail to conduct surveys does not negate the requirement to obtain the appropriate approvals to end mass mailings.
• List serves -- subscribing to interest-group lists is yet another email application. CCSN Computer Graphics Programs has several list serves.

What is Usenet?

Usenet (derived from Users' Network) is a distributed message system which allows people to post and read articles.

Originally implemeted in 1979-1980 at Duke University, it has grown to become international in scope and is now probably the largest decentralized information utilities in existance.

Usenet is comprised of literally hundreds of sites which replicate the posted articles. These articles are categorized into groups (called newsgroups) defined by subject areas.

What are Newsgroups?

A newsgroup is a topic area for posting articles in Usenet. Thousands of newsgroups exist and the topics range from A to Z.

The topic areas are arranged in a hierarchial fashion. The top level hierarhcy names include, but are not limited to, alt (alternative), biz (business), comp (computing), k12 (K-12 Education), misc (miscellaneous), rec (recreation), sci (science), and soc (society).

Newsgroups are further broken down into more specific subject areas. Some example groups are: comp.os.unix (discussion of the Unix operating systems), rec.arts.tv (discussion of television), and rec.music.folk (discussion of folk music).

Using a News Reader

In order to access Usenet News, you need to use a News Reader (a program that understands how to access a Usenet News server). Several programs are available which allow you to read news articles. Many popular web browsers, such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Communicator include a News Reader.

When you configure your News Reader program to access Usenet News at Marshall University, you should specify news.marshall.edu as the name of your News Server.