Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Communication

It was successfully implemented for the first time on the ARPANET in 1971 by Raymond Samuel Tomlinson. Electronic communication is not only a novel tool, it also serves to be an interesting mode of communication. However, while being a crisp form of conveying messages, it has a facet that inclines toward the negative. We as individuals are so involved in tracking 'world records', that retaining interest in sustaining immediate relations confers to a no dice situation. Internet tete-a-tete rises a notch above the personal ties, the latter becoming a quaint drollery of sorts. Electronic communication, thus, consists of a two- facets that shoulders peak, and nadir consequences.

Pros of Electronic Communication

Electronic communication benefits people across the world by lending to them, the privilege to share televised pictures, conversations, graphics, circuits, and interactive software. Interaction between individuals, no longer intonates a cumbersome attitude. If you have an acquaintance who resides in a different geographical location, communication is no more a pain in the neck. Technological opportunities have assisted us to communicate with ease, making the process an activity inviting leisure.

Visual and Textual Communication to your conversations could be visual, as well as textual. A noble deed accomplished through electronic communication is to assist the people with auditory impairment, in conveying their messages. With this mode of communication, the recipient receives the message within a few seconds of the sender sending it. The recipient can read the message anytime, anywhere with regards to his convenience.

Faster Communication

Communication, as a process, has got its act together, leading to an acceleration in processing of important matters in relation to business, finance, trade, etc. For instance, the act of acquiring information on a said topic, does not rely on tedious documentation procedures as communication, no more, tied to its apron strings.

Work from Home

As there are no dictations on time and place of usage, some prefer to opt for jobs that may be conducted from the comforts of their home. Obtaining a job that legitimates official proceedings to be forwarded from home, has been a proven agent in generating work opportunities. This form of work arrangement is generally termed telecommuting. An individual with health complications, may prefer to work from home, rather than conforming to office hours, and working policies.

Long Term Storage and Easy Access

The communicated messages can be stored permanently or temporarily on disks or tapes for years or can even be printed and stored in files. The process of learning now, is considered elementary, and efficacious as information can be obtained, or retrieved in accordance with the requirement.

Saving Money

Since communication does not take place via hard copies, money spent on purchasing paper and charges incurred on printing, and postal deliveries is regulated. After the mail is delivered to the receiver, it is placed safely in the hard disk of the receiver's computer.

Cons of Electronic Communication

The main issue with electronic communication is security. Your computer can be hacked, and affected with computer virus. This can have an adverse effect on the computer system, and the network. The volume of transmitted data is large with the transmission being fast. Hence, it becomes difficult for employers, and managers to absorb, process, and understand the same, and provide proper feedback to their employees.

Security Concerns

The speed with which the messages are transmitted, often, changes the structure of the messages, which, at times, can be misinterpreted. Electronic data can be duplicated through and through without any proof of duplication. These messages can also be modified. At times, people can intentionally send malicious programs; such as, viruses, worms, and Trojans through emails, these being difficult to detect.

Loss of Privacy

Another disadvantage of electronic communication is an issue related to email privacy. An email is sent in the form of data packets via computer network. These data packets have to pass through a number of routers (a computer device used for forwarding packets in the computer network) and computers, before it reaches its destination. Thus, there are chances of an individual tampering with the emails before it reaches its recipient.

Doubtful Authenticity

While the data packets are transferred from one computer system to another, they can be lost when one router transfers it to another. If the router is bombarded with a large number of data packets than its carrying capacity, the receiver can experience a delay in receiving it. The 'from message header' of a message can be modified, hence, hampering the authenticity of the same.

Cyber Addiction

Technology was invented, and successively discovered to pamper usability; however, when usability becomes instinctively habitual, problems arise. Technology has become a modus operandi of sorts, leading to cyber addiction. Making your presence felt all over the net ad nauseam, may evoke symptoms of social withdrawal.Some people get ants in their pants about checking their text, or their email inbox constantly; only an onlooker would know how chafed he feels when he witnesses such behavior.

Gate Crashing Private Time

Technological interventions, induced accidentally on purpose by individuals, have done a fantastic job of gate crashing into private time; inadvertently, leading to fractured relations and -- not surprisingly -- divorces. Some people get ants in their pants about checking their text, or their email inbox constantly; only an onlooker would know how chafed he feels when he witnesses such behavior.

A majority of technological workings in the world have their pros, and cons. In spite of its disadvantages, most of us depend on electronic communication for our work as it has become an integral part of our lives.

(Buzzle)