E-mail—Computers that Send, Store and Receive Messages

E-mail is a major factor in consumers' desire to connect to the Internet. Often consumers purchase computers so that they can send e-mail to children, grandchildren and distant relatives. Many e-mail messages are sent between people in the same family. The proliferation of e-mail and computers at college campuses is an incentive for students and parents to stay in touch via e-mail. Anyone with a SOHO, or small office home office, knows the value of e-mail for staying in touch with business contacts.

E-mail has changed the way consumers and businesses communicate. According to one study, once users have e-mail, they are more likely to send e-mail than to place a long distance phone call. An August 12, 1998 article in The Boston Globe reported findings of an April 1998 survey sponsored by Yahoo Internet Life magazine. According to the survey of 436 American adults, 55% use e-mail more than they make long distance calls. Thirty three percent use e-mail more than they make local calls.