By Julie McDermott

Recently, the Women’s Network Marketing and Communications committee refreshed the newsletter.  We hope you have enjoyed the newsletter’s new look and feel.

Later this year, the newsletter will only be available through the Women’s Network website or by email. Generally, when a publication makes the switch to an electronic-only version, at least a handful of people ask, “What if I don’t have an email address or a computer?” To most of us, that is unthinkable, but a study conducted in February 2010 by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration revealed that over one-third of Americans do not use the Internet. The reasons for this vary widely from cost to lack of skills, or a simple lack of interest. However, the costs of printing and mailing are making electronic communication a more attractive, viable option for businesses. It is inexpensive, and most consumers prefer it, which can make it difficult for those who prefer not to use the Internet or do not have an email address.

The Times —  They are A-changing

Think back 25 years to 1987. Home computers were just being introduced and they were a luxury.  With the introduction of Word Perfect, the IBM Selectric quickly became a tool of the past in most offices. FAX machines were also being introduced, providing a new way to transmit documents from one place to another with speed and ease.

Today, it’s hard to imagine life without a computer. A typewriter is hard to find, and PDFs and email are even making FAX machines obsolete. Telephone landlines are starting to become outdated as well, since many people prefer to use their cell phone as their primary phone. And services like Skype make face-to-face communication via computer possible now. Maybe the Jetsons had some foresight on this one!

Make the Leap

If you are afraid you won’t know how to use a computer or the Internet, there are short community education classes (frequently free) you can take. Your friends would probably be happy to teach you, and you might be surprised at just how easy it is to learn! If you can’t afford a computer or Internet access, you can go to your local library to use it. And many of today’s cell phones are “smartphones,” which means you can access the Internet almost anywhere, anytime. Finally, if you rely on using the Internet at work, be sure to find out what is allowed and what isn’t.  Many employers have strict rules about which Internet sites you can visit, and most do not allow personal use, particularly on company time.

How to get a Free Email Address

Email addresses are easy to obtain.  Some of the most popular are Gmail.com, www.hotmail.com and Yahoo.com. Any of these will let you create a free email address. After that, you can create a list of contacts (friends’ email addresses for easy access), folders to sort emails in whatever way you see fit and more. These sites will also filter junk mail (also called “SPAM”) for you.

When you learn how to use email and the Internet, you will understand just how much more efficient it can make your life.  You might even wonder how you ever got along without it!  (At the very least, it reduces the paper pileup.)