Library Research Skills
Email is a method of online communication with one or more people using special software on an Internet-connected computer. It is not a private form of communication since messages can be easily copied and sent to others. It is difficult to convey emotion or intent in an email message, so you must clearly state what you mean to say.
You should be aware that there are rules of etiquette or "netiquette" to follow when using email. For example, USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is frowned upon because it is considered to be "shouting" in an online environment.
Use Email
- to find an opinion by an expert in the field
- to access postings and messages on newsgroups and listservs
- to ask your reference librarian a question about research
Examples of Email Addresses
Newsgroups
Do your friends really want to hear about your prized goldfish? Well there are thousands of people in the online world who'd just love to hear all about it, and tell you more cutesy cat stories than you ever dreamed. Then Yes! newsgroups may be just the place for you.
Newsgroups are places on the Internet where people exchange stories, information and even news. They often have addresses like: rec.pets.stupid-cat-stories (the rec. stands for 'recreational'), or on a more serious note, soc.culture.middle-east (to discuss 'social' issues.) Newsgroups let you browse their email-like postings in a leisurely manner, as well as post your own stuff.
Listservs work a little differently than newsgroups. A listserv is a software program that distributes e-mail to all the people subscribed to the 'list'. By subscribing to a listserv you will receive copies of all email messages posted to the list's address. Similarly, anything you post will be sent to everybody else subscribed to the list -- so be careful what you say about your roomate's cat.
Copyright (c) 2005 by Susan Kelly, Wexford County Library Service.
Adapted and modified (5th December 2005) from TILT, Texas Information Literacy Tutorial. This material is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the TILT Open Publication Licence. (the latest version is presently available at http://tilt.lib.utsystem.edu/yourtilt/).
