E-Mail Address

E-Mail Communications Internet Username Domain Electronic Messages Online Communication Digital Address
An e-mail address is a unique identifier for an e-mail account, typically used to send and receive electronic messages over the internet. A standard e-mail address format is username@domain.com, where 'username' is the recipient’s email account and 'domain.com' represents the mail server.
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Definition

An e-mail address is a string of characters that uniquely identifies a user on an e-mail system. It is used to send and receive messages electronically. The typical format for an e-mail address is username@domain.com, where:

  • username is the local part that represents the recipient’s account name.
  • domain.com is the domain part that includes the mail server’s name and the domain extension.

Examples

  1. Example format for personal use:

    • john.doe@gmail.com
    • jane.smith@yahoo.com

  2. Example format for professional use:

    • firstname.lastname@company.com
    • contact@organization.org

  3. Example format for academic institutions:

    • student@university.edu
    • professor@college.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What are the components of an e-mail address?

    • An e-mail address comprises two main components: the local part (username) and the domain part (domain.com).

  2. Can special characters be used in an e-mail address?

    • Yes, but only certain special characters such as dots (.), underscores (_), and hyphens (-) are allowed in the local part. The domain part typically does not include special characters other than periods separating domain levels.

  3. What is the function of the ‘@’ symbol in an e-mail address?

    • The ‘@’ symbol separates the local part from the domain part in an e-mail address and is essential for routing the e-mail to the correct server.

  4. Is it possible to have multiple e-mail addresses?

    • Yes, individuals and organizations can possess multiple e-mail addresses for different purposes, such as personal, professional, and academic uses.

  5. How do you create an e-mail address?

    • An e-mail address can be created by signing up with an e-mail service provider (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) and choosing a unique username and domain.
  1. Username: The part before the ‘@’ in an e-mail address, identifying the specific user account on the given domain.
  2. Domain: The part after the ‘@’ in an e-mail address, specifying the mail server and its associated network location.
  3. Mailbox: The location on a mail server where e-mails for a specific e-mail address are stored until retrieved by the recipient.
  4. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): The protocol used to send e-mails from a client to a server or between servers.
  5. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol): The protocol used to retrieve e-mails from a server to a client while keeping the messages on the server.
  6. POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3): The protocol used to retrieve e-mails from a server to a client, typically removing the messages from the server afterward.

Online References

  1. How E-mail Works
  2. Understanding E-mail System
  3. The Anatomy of an E-mail Address
  4. Email Address Formats

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  1. “E-Mail: A Write It Well Guide - How to Write and Manage E-Mail in the Workplace” by Janis Fisher Chan.
  2. “E-mail Essentials: How to Make the Most of E-mail” by Herta Murphy and Herbert W. Hildebrandt.
  3. “Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do It Better” by David Shipley and Will Schwalbe.
  4. “E-commerce User Experience” by Jakob Nielsen.
  5. “HTML, XHTML, and CSS All-in-One For Dummies” by Andy Harris (Includes sections on managing e-mail through web development).

Fundamentals of E-Mail Address: Communications Basics Quiz

### Which part of an e-mail address specifies the recipient's account? - [ ] The domain part - [ ] The protocol component - [x] The username - [ ] The mailbox identifier > **Explanation:** The username specifies the recipient's account in an e-mail address, identifying who the e-mail will be delivered to within the specified domain. ### What symbol is used to separate the local part from the domain part in an e-mail address? - [ ] # - [ ] $ - [x] @ - [ ] % > **Explanation:** The '@' symbol is used to separate the local part (username) from the domain part in an e-mail address. ### Can an e-mail address include spaces within the local part? - [ ] Yes - [x] No - [ ] Only in certain circumstances - [ ] Depends on the service provider > **Explanation:** Spaces are not allowed in the local part of an e-mail address. Only specific special characters such as dots, hyphens, and underscores are permitted. ### Which protocol is primarily used to send e-mails from a client to a server? - [ ] POP3 - [ ] IMAP - [ ] FTP - [x] SMTP > **Explanation:** SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is primarily used to send e-mails from a client to a server. ### What is the typical use case for a professional e-mail address? - [ ] Personal correspondence - [ ] Subscription to services - [x] Business and professional communication - [ ] None of the above > **Explanation:** Professional e-mail addresses are typically used for business and professional communication, often displaying the company's domain. ### Which of the following is a valid e-mail address? - [ ] username@domain,com - [ ] user@domain!com - [x] user.name@domain.com - [ ] username@domain_com > **Explanation:** Most e-mail address validation protocols permit periods (.) but not commas, exclamation points, or underscores in the domain part. ### Why might someone have multiple e-mail addresses? - [ ] For backup purposes - [x] To segregate various types of communication like personal, professional, and academic - [ ] To enhance security - [ ] None of the above > **Explanation:** Different e-mail addresses can be used to segregate communication for various purposes, such as personal, professional, and academic use. ### What type of e-mail address format is typically used in academic institutions? - [ ] username@website.com - [ ] user@domain.co - [x] student@university.edu - [ ] name@business.net > **Explanation:** Academic institutions typically use an e-mail address format with the `.edu` domain extension to indicate educational purposes. ### How does IMAP differ from POP3 in terms of e-mail retrieval? - [x] IMAP keeps messages on the server allowing access from multiple devices, while POP3 typically removes messages from the server after retrieval. - [ ] They are the same but use different ports. - [ ] IMAP is used only for outgoing emails. - [ ] POP3 duplicates every email and sends it to all devices. > **Explanation:** IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps emails on the server, allowing access from multiple devices, whereas POP3 usually retrieves and then removes the messages from the server. ### What is the key function of the domain part in an e-mail address? - [ ] To distinguish multiple usernames - [ ] To mask the IP address - [x] To route the e-mail to the correct mail server - [ ] To allocate storage space > **Explanation:** The domain part routes the e-mail to the correct mail server based on the domain's DNS records.

Thank you for exploring the concept of e-mail addresses and practicing with our insightful quiz questions. Enhance your understanding and usage of e-mail addresses effectively!

Wednesday, August 7, 2024
E-Type Reorganization
E-commerce
At Sign (@) January 1, 1
Domain January 1, 1
Host January 1, 1
Internet Address January 1, 1

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