Computer 10 Lesson 2 Online Communication
- 2. online communication Foremost of things that people do aside from eating or taking a bath is to communicate, and it's hard to imagine life without socializing. Did you know that Helen Keller, who became visually and hearing impaired as a baby, devised more than sixty different hand signs that she and her family could use to communicate? Before she learned to talk this way, the only way she was able to express herself was through fervid tantrums. In the same way, the Internet today offers us so many means of communication to make the process a lot easier and more convenient with respect to our social lives
- 3. online Comunication In this lesson, you will know more about some downloadable or Web-based tools you can use to communicate online, as well as pointers on how to socialize more effectively through the Internet while using them.
- 4. Sns internet Comunication tools There are many ways to communicate on the Internet and new SNS tools are always being released. The following are just some of the most common tools of online social networking communication today.
- 5. E-MAIL E-mail is the oldest form of online communication and the most widely used service as well. To send an e-mail, all you have to do is create an account in any e-mailing service provider, such as Gmail and Yahoo! Mail, write a message, and then send it to someone's e-mail address. An e-mail can be sent to a single person, a group of people, or even thousands of users. It's helpful to create a list or group of e-mail addresses if you plan to continually send messages to a particular group of people, such as your family, classmates, or friends.
- 6. E-MAIL A great application of e-mail is the ability to send a message with a file in the form of an attachment. To date, almost any type of file, whether text, graphic, sound, video, or others, may be sent as an attachment to an e-mail. Sending an e-mail is also beneficial as it automatically stotes a copy of the message or messages exchanged by the sender and recipient. This may be useful for future documentation.
- 7. E-MAIL E-mail may also be used to form a mailing list, which consists of an e-mail address that forwards a copy of all messages it receives to people who chose to subscribe to the mailing list. Thus, if any user subscribed to the mailing list sends a message to that particular e-mail address, everyone in the mailing list will receive a copy of it. Another feature of e-mail is its ability to let you create folders that allow automatic grouping of all messages you choose to be boxed under a certain subject.
- 8. There are three main - contains the name and e-mail address of the recipient, the name and e-mail address of anyone who is being copy- furnished, and the subject of the message - indicates the purpose or content of the message parts of an e-mail: header Subject Sender (From) - the e-mail address of the sender of the e-mail Date and Time Received (On) - the time the message was received Recipient (To) - name of recipient Recipient E- mail Address - e-mail address of the recipient, or where the e-mail will be sent
- 9. There are three main - the actual content of the message - an optional quote, link, short text, or image that identifies the sender parts of an e-mail: Body Signature Attachment - an optional separate file that may be part of the message
- 10. INSTANT INSTANT MESSAGING ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE IN REAL TIME OR SYNCHRONOUSLY. INSTANT MESSENGERS LET US COMMUNICATE THROUGH TYPING TEXT, VOICE, VIDEO (WEBCAM), OR ALL THREE. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, INTANT MESSAGING ALLOWS YOU TO CHAT WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR STRANGERSBBOTH NEAR AND FAR. FURTHERMORE, MOST INSTANT MESSENGERS OFFER OTHER FUNCTIONS LIKE FILE SHARING, GROUP INSTANT MESSAGING OR GROUP CHAT THROUGH CONFERENCES, AND MOBILE INSTANT MESSAGING. THE INSTANT NATURE OF THIS KIND OF COMMUNICATION HAS RESULTED IN MESSAGE SHORTCUTS OR LETTER ACRONYMS LIKE WHAT IS USED IN TEXTING WITH THE CELL PHONE. MESSAGING
- 11. INSTANT INSTANT MESSAGING IS AN EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL WAY TO COMMUNICATE SINCE MOST INSTANT MESSENGERS CAN BE DOWNLOADED FREE AND CHATTING VIRTUALLY COSTS NOTHING MORE THAN YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION RATES. POPULAR INSTANT MESSAGING DOWNLOADABLE PROGRAMS INCLUDE YAHOO! INSTANT MESSENGER, WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER, GOOGLE HANGOUTS, SKYPE, MEEBO, ICQ MESSENGER, AND JABBER. MANY SOCIAL NETWORKS ALSO NOW HAVE INSTANT MESSAGING FEATURES, WITH SOME OF THEM ALLOWING OR PROVIDING ACCES USING WIDGETS, WHICH IS DISCUSSED IN THE NEXT SEGMENT. MESSAGING
- 12. INSTANT MESSAGING IS USUALLY DONE WITHIN AN SNS SITE OR THROUGH A DOWNLOADABLE SNS PROGRAM LIKE SKYPE. BUT WIYH THE USE OF CHUNKS OF EXECUTABLE PROGRAM CODES CALLED WIDGETS THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THE OPERATING SYSTEM DESKTOP OR EMBEDDED WITHIN A WEBSITE, A COMPACT GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE (GUI)CAN BE ACTIVATED TO MONITOR STATUSES OF OTHER USERS AND ALSO PROVIDE A MEANS OF POSTING MESSAGES THAT CAN BE READ AND RESPONDED TO BY VISITORS TO YOUR WEBSITE OR OTHER ONLINE USERS WHO USE THE SAME WIDGET. MESSAGE WIDGETS THE WORD “WIDGET” IS A GENERIC TERM AND COMPANIES GIVE UNIQUE NAMES TO THEIR OWN WIDGETS LIKE WEBJIT, BADGE, MODULE, SNIPPET, FLAKE, AND MINI. GOOGLE BLOGGER CALS ITS WIDGETS “ GADGETS”. WIDGETS MAY HAVE SPECIFIC FUNVTIONS OTHER THAN FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING.
- 13. A VARIETY OF WIDGETS BY AND FOR BY AND FOR SPECIFIC SNS COMPANIES CAN BE DOWNLOADED OVER THE INTERNET. FOR INSTANCE, THERE’S A WIDGET FOR FACEBOOK WHICH ALLOWS FACEBOOK USERS TO ACCES ALL THEIR FACEBOOK DATA FROM THE CONVENIENCE OF THE COMPUTER DESKTOP INTERFACE. IT ALSO ALLOWS UPDATING OF STATUS AND VIEWING OF FRIENDS’ STATUSES AMONG OTHER USEFUL THINGS. MESSAGE WIDGETS SOME WIDGETS ATE DESIGNED FOR MOBILE GADGETS. THESE PROVIDE THE SAME FUNCTIONS AS THEIR DESKTOP COUNTERPARTS AND ALLOW EASE IN KEEPING TABS AND PARTICIPATING IN ONLINE EXCHANGES EVEN WHILE ON THE GO.
- 14. Another way to communicate is to post in group forums or discussion boards. Forums and discussion boards are online discussion sites that are often divided into categories and threads, depending on the subject discussed. Most Internet forums require registration to post. Once registered, users are now referred to as members and are allowed to post messages in the threads. Forums and boards often have moderators who can access, edit, or delete any message to moderate the discussions and ban abusive members, among other functions. GROUP FORUMS AND DISCUSSION BOARDS
- 15. Many online groups use discussion boards or forums for discussions. A member begins a thread or topic and others are given the opportunity to react, write their ideas, as well as comment on the input of others. This allows the members to benefit from a continuous discussion where new information is inputted as time passes. Once closed by an administrator, a thread can no longer be posted on. GROUP FORUMS AND DISCUSSION BOARDS
- 16. One thing that makes the Internet such a valuable tool for working is the capability it gives to groups to work on a project at one time. Applications available online such as those provided by Google now make it easy for people in different places to be involved in making inputs to a document or multimedia project without ever leaving their homes. Online collaboration
- 17. Google Apps (http://whatsnew.googleapps.com/) enables useful tools for collaborative work of coworkers and classmates on documents while keeping in touch with the others tasked to work on them as well. One online application in this suite that's gaining popularity is Google Drive, which allows users to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and slideshows. Everything is saved online, and all that is needed to access the files is a computer on the Internet. Online collaboration
- 18. The other current Google Apps applications are Google Sites, which lets team members share information through a website that members can access, and Google Calendar, which is used to manage schedules and appointments for meetings. With such free communications and productivity applications online, people would not need to purchase related software or have to install them into their computers and consume precious space. Other popular online collaboration sites like Trello (https://trello.com) and MindMeister (https://www.mindmeister.com/) give options to users who need or are partial to specific features. Online collaboration
- 19. The other current Google Apps applications are Google Sites, which lets team members share information through a website that members can access, and Google Calendar, which is used to manage schedules and appointments for meetings. With such free communications and productivity applications online, people would not need to purchase related software or have to install them into their computers and consume precious space. Other popular online collaboration sites like Trello (https://trello.com) and MindMeister (https://www.mindmeister.com/) give options to users who need or are partial to specific features. Online collaboration
- 20. With all the communication tools readily available today, communication is a breeze. But mere communication is different from effective communication. If you desire to make your message clear to everyone, save everyone's time, and ensure you attain your purpose of communicating, check out the following pointers for effective communication. effective online collaboration
- 21. 1. Keep it short but precise. Just because you have the time and space does not mean you have to include everything you know about the topic in your message. Go directly to the point and remove unnecessary information that won't really make a difference to the point you are trying to make. A long post not only increases the chances of confusion; it also eats up everyone's time and may even be ignored or deleted. Sending Message properly
- 22. 2. Stick to the topic. Sometimes it's tempting to veer away from the topic especially when a previous poster has done so. But it's always best to stick to the topic being discussed because not everyone appreciates or has the patience for off-topic online discussions. That's what private chats are for. If you want to discuss a not-so-far- off subject or idea that is not exactly the same as the topic of the current thread, you may start a new thread. Sending Message properly
- 23. 3. Be sensitive. While it is fast and convenient, communicating online differs from communicating in person because it's harder to gauge the mood, character, or quirks of the person you're communicating with. Thus, it is important to be sensitive in all your messages so as to avoid inappropriate comments that may offend. Be careful also of your jokes and ofthand remarks when communicating with people you are not particularly close with. Sending Message properly
- 24. 4. Be careful of abbreviations and slang words. Not all people will understand your abbreviations or slang words since not everyone comes from the same background. Thus, stick to normal language and avoid text speak to prevent confusion. If you must use a certain abbreviation of slang word to support your idea, make sure you include the definition in enclosed parentheses next to the term you used. Sending Message properly
- 25. 5. QUOTE SPECIFIC IDEAS YOU ARE REPLYING TO. WHEN RESPONDING TO A PARTICULAR POST, IT’S BEST TO QUOTE THE ACTUAL WORDS AND IDEAS YOU ARE REACTING TO SO THAT YOUR MESSAGE WILL BE CLEARER TO EVERYONE. YOU CAN USE THE “QUOTE” FUNCTION OFTEN FOUND IN FORUMS AND THREADED DISCUSSIONS TO DO THIS. Sending Message properly
- 26. 6. ACKNOWLEDGE SOURCES. WHENEVER YOU STATE AN IDEA NOT ORIGINALLY YOURS, MAKE SURE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE WHO IT IS FROM. IT’S BEST TO PUT IT IN QUOTES OR PROVIDE A LINK TO WHERE YOU GOT IDEA OR MATERIAL. NOT ONLY IS THIS A FORM OF RESPECT TO THE OWNER, IT ALSO SAVES YOU FROM BEING A PLAGIARIZER. Sending Message properly
- 27. 7. ASK QUESTIONS. WHENEVER A POST OR A FLOW OR DISCUSSION IS NOT CLEAR TO YOU, DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CLARIFY. IT’S BETTER TO ASK EARLY ON RATHER THAN BE MISINFORMED. FURTHERMORE, ASKING QUESTIONS NOT ONLY BENEFITS YOU BUT ALSO OTHER POSTERS WHO MAY HAVE SIMILAR QUERIES AND CONFUSIONS. ASKING QUESTIONS CAN ALSO HELP BROADEN A DISCUSSION. Sending Message properly
- 28. 8. DON’T COMMUNICATE WHEN YOU’RE ANGRY. WHEN WE’RE ANGRY, WE USUALLY SAY THINGS WE REGRET WHEN WE’RE IN A CALMER MOOD. AIRING YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU’RE EMOTIONAL MAY MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT IT MAY HAVE IMPLICATIONS LATER THAT YOU WON’T LIKE. FURTHERMORE, ONLINE MESSAGES ARE ALWAYS STORED, AND ONCE YOU’VE SAID OR POSTED SOMETHING, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO TAKE BACK. IT’S BEST TO DRAFT MESSAGES WHEN YOUR EMOTIONS ARE HIGH AND GET BACK TO IT WHEN YOUR ANGER SUBSIDES. Sending Message properly
- 29. 9. CRITIQUE THE IDEA, NOT THE PERSON. SOMETIMES, IN THE HEAT OF A DISCUSSION, IT’S TEMPTING TO CRITIQUE SOMEONE’S CHARACTER INSTEAD OF THE IDEAS HE OR SHE IS PRESENTING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING AGAINST THE PERSON. KEEP YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AT ALL TIME BECAUSE THIS WILL BENEFIT YOU IN THE LONG TERM. KEEP YOUR EMOTIONS IN CHECK, AND FOCUS AND REACT ON EVERY POINT MADE. Sending Message properly
- 30. 10. Title your posts accordingly. Sending Message properly Putting titles or subject lines on your message lets people know immediately the content of your message. This is especially important in e-mails because your recipient may be a busy professional who can't be easily bothered by general messages. In forums and boards, titling your messages attracts people w can answer your question or who are interested in the specific topic you posted Just make sure your titles and subjects are as specific and as short as possible.
- 31. The Internet offers us various ways to communicate through S Be it through e-mail, instant messaging, online discussions, social netwo tools, online collaboration, or others, SNS communication has been th much more easy and convenient in today's fast-paced world. However, you must remember that while the process of communication is easy, there is still a difference between normal communication and effective communication, which means abiding by a set of rules for a greater and more effective communicating process. Summary