I was talking yesterday to my two brothers-in-law who both have a super cheap cell phone plan - but it comes with a phone that only supports voice calls and no SMS messages. I am not one of those teenagers who needs to text message all the time, but I sure love the abilityto zip off a few messages a day. SMS’s have a place in the web of communications. They have their own characteristics like other forms of modern communications.

 

Synchronous?

When to Use?

Email

No

Default for all communication (unless person is
next to you or cannot receive email)

Skype

Yes

For talking to friends or colleagues who are online
a lot and are properly equipped.

Phone Call

Yes

To confront a person with a concern.

SMS

No

Quick message that is time sensitive – but you
can’t disturb the recipient with a phone call.

Chat

Yes

Business Setting: Quick question for a colleague
partner or friend.

Personal Setting: Talking to someone while you do
something else. Sharing a quick thought.

Voicemail

No

Las Resort when other forms of

Fax

No

For sending documents that require signatures.

Snail-Mail

No

Rarely useful for communication – usually for
sending checks, bills, or legal documents.

Telegram

No

Do these still exist? Probably good for contacting
important people.

Ain’t modern communication great?

Strange to imagine how business was done just 15 or 20 years ago!