This may include text, word processing documents, spreadsheets, graphics, sound or video. Today, more and more computers are not sitting isolated but, instead, are connected into a computer network which is often connected to other computer networks in much the same way as telephone systems connect telephones. If your computer is connected to such a network, you can use e-mail to communicate with people whose computers are connected to the same network. You are no longer limited to your Local Area Network but, in effect, have the world at your fingertips through the Internet. The Internet is a world-wide network connecting tens of thousands of Local Area Networks.
Electronic mail replaces paper memos at the office with electronic mail memos.
Reports, letters, spreadsheets, anything generated on your computer can be sent through e-mail , rather than on paper or diskette, around the office or around the world. Electronic mail allows this transfer of information to be done more easily and more cost effectively. E-mail messages are sent in a fraction of the time of regular mail and at a fraction of the cost of mail sent by courier. As with regular post, electronic-mail requires addresses. The user name identifies a particular person.