E-mail, IM, PM, Skype ??

[iamback]

Where could I get that?I have no particular recommendations for email hosting as I've never used that myself. If you decide you still need it, try Y! with search term "email hosting" (with the quotes).

I assume there is absolutely no way to prevent spammers from sending out messages spoofing my return address.No, that's just how spammers work. Often the From address is made up of real names and real domains re-combined.

Sometimes I wish I could just give up e-mail altogether. <sigh>If it's a matter of clients sending files to you you might try other communication methods that allow file sending directly. you could keep in touch with clients via Instant Messaging, IRC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC), or even via a microblogging service like Pownce (http://sazbean.com/2008/04/02/b2b-micro-blogging-pownce/) which also allows sending files. None of those would completely replace email but they would give you a very direct communication channel with clients.

Explore the options - email isn't all there is!

[Kelvyn]

If it's a matter of clients sending files to you you might try other communication methods that allow file sending directly. you could keep in touch with clients via Instant Messaging, IRC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC), or even via a microblogging service like Pownce (http://sazbean.com/2008/04/02/b2b-micro-blogging-pownce/) which also allows sending files.

I use Skype for this. Not only is it "instant" but there is no limit on file size for transfer.

[iamback]

I use Skype for this. Not only is it "instant" but there is no limit on file size for transfer.That (IM) is indeed yet another mode of communication (Skype isn't the only IM system that allows to send files though). The point is - email isn't all there is and it would be good to explore other options and use your own "happy mix".

[Richard Waller]

Everyone has their own favourite way of communicating. I have muttered about this before. Choose the wrong media for your correspondent and you may not reach them for days, if at all. I am an Email man and I am always pleased to hear from you.

[iamback]

(This is really another reply to Marlene but she got "chopped off"; but it's recommended reading for all anyway.)

I just found a great blog post: Communicating efficiently and effectively by using the right protocols (http://www.csarven.ca/communication-protocols) that nicely matches what I've been saying: do not depend on email only, but use the right tool for the job - and a combination of tools. Recommended reading!

(Got tripped up by this thread being split off - I couldn't find back where I got started on this! And I think it woudl be better in the "business" section - this isn't about "Publishing" at all.)

[Michael Rowley]

Marjoein:

It's encouraging to read that e-mail overloads the mind ('Unnecessary cognitive load'), but there are methods that don't require thought

[terrie]

marjolein: And I think it woudl be better in the "business" section - this isn't about "Publishing" at all.Moved it for you...

Terrie

[DTP Guy]

Another post on a similar subject is here (http://www.it-analysis.com/blogs/Teblog/2008/8/putting_email_in_its_place.html). It appears that there is a move afoot to dislodge email as the de facto communication protocol. A long way to go though.

[Richard Waller]

No wonder I could not find it . . . .

[Richard Waller]

Face to face is always vital. When companies encourage working from home, they should always insist on one day a week for a get together and actually communicate the non-verbals. A high proportion of effective communication is body language. Difficult to teach but vital to learn.

[iamback]

Thanks, Terrie

[iamback]

Face to face is always vital. When companies encourage working from home, they should always insist on one day a week for a get together and actually communicate the non-verbals. A high proportion of effective communication is body language. Difficult to teach but vital to learn.True, but video conferencing goes a long way to address that. Not perfect, but a lot more information than in any of the text-based communication protocols. Could be a good (and time-saving) solution for workers that really are at a distance (as in: in another country, or even across the ocean), IOW in cases where once-weekly face-to-face would be prohibitively expensive and wasting otherwise productive time as travel time.

[ElyseC]

Face to face is always vital. When companies encourage working from home, they should always insist on one day a week for a get together and actually communicate the non-verbals. A high proportion of effective communication is body language. Difficult to teach but vital to learn.Weekly face to face is not always vital and not always feasible, especially with global companies where most employees and suppliers are spread across many time zones. There was a company I worked with for nearly a decade via phone, fax, email and courier, and during that time I believe I met face to face with someone at most four times. However, though it is very possible to conduct business successfully without F2F meetings, not all business relationships can do it.

[terrie]

marjolein: Thanks, TerrieYou're welcome...

Terrie