The process is similar to the postal system in some ways, but in the case of electronic mail, the sending address is an electronic mail box. Electronic mail, also known as e-mail, is the most popular network facility used on the Internet. This is because it is fast, convenient, and inexpensive. E-mail is very cost favorable when compared to the costs or time delays of the telephone, fax, or the postal service. Documents already in digital form can be sent by e-mail.
Collaborators can exchange drafts of papers using e-mail.
E-mail commands include sending, replying to, and forwarding messages. The basic prerequisite for using e-mail is access to a networked computer with appropriate software. Elm and Pine on UNIX systems, Pegasus Mail on IBM compatible PC's and Eudora on Apple Macintoshes. Computers must be registered to obtain e-mail addresses. Although electronic directories are becoming more commonplace, there is no one comprehensive directory of e-mail addresses.