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Whos Got Mail?
When Mark Zuckerberg declared that email was ‘dead’ last month many people thought that it was yet another clever ploy in Facebook’s attempt to take over the world. However new figures released this month suggest that he may have been right as the use of a traditional email appears to be in a state of decline. An independent market research poll has found that many internet users are ditching their once loved email tools for social network sites. Each of the major email providers have announced that they have all suffered the loss of their once loyal ‘emailers’ with Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail all blaming the wily charms of Zuckerberg’s site.
It is no surprise that users prefer the fast paced feel of social network sites when looking to send a message, from the instant chat function to the easy to use picture galleries there is a sense of immediacy that users can gain when trying to contact their friends, families or colleague. Zuckerberg has described email as being slow and ‘too formal’ and has revealed that every Facebook user will soon have access to a ‘Facebook.com’ email address. His plan for a completely integrated communications system which brings together all texts, emails and instant messages may be just around the corner, however is this what we really need? Do we really want to rely on one system to control all of our communications?
For those that have only just got their heads around the concept of email this is a fairly daunting idea, especially for those that have only just put down their pens and paper. If email is dead then does this make the simple act of letter writing totally extinct? It seems that the electronic ball is already rolling towards a communication platform based on immediacy and simplicity. Zuckerberg has stated that email will be an option in his plan for a multi platform messaging service however when faced with faster options, just who will opt to keep the email dream alive?
Facebook’s blogs are the best way to keep up with their plans for our future!