In a matter of years, social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook have become a part of our daily routine. With their ever-increasing popularity, it is safe to say that many users log-in to their Twitter and Facebook accounts, daily, if not multiple times within a given hour. Guilty. Typing www.tw or www.face has become an obsessive, sometimes unconscious, habit. Words like “Tweets,” “Facebooking,” and “Tweeple” have naturally been incorporated into everyday vocabulary. It may not be surprising, given its widespread popularity, but a Twittonary does exist. But, while more and more individuals use Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch with their followers and friends through a Direct Message or Wall posting, is communicating by electronic mail a thing of the past? Are these social networking and media websites taking precedence over email, and replacing the original form of communication over the Internet?
“We all still use email, of course,” says, Wall Street Journal Staff Reporter, Jessica E. Vascellaro. “But email was better suited to the way we used to use the Internet—logging off and on, checking our messages in bursts. Now, we are always connected, whether we are sitting at a desk or on a mobile phone. The always-on connection, in turn, has created a host of new ways to communicate that are much faster than email, and more fun.”
If it wasn’t for email, users would not be able to be a part of websites like Twitter or Facebook. Each requires a valid email address to register, gain access, and receive email updates to and from their website. Just recently, second most popular social networking website (as of September 2009), MySpace, launched their own email service. While the daily visits to these websites may be more frequent than checking what is in your Inbox, social networking sites obviously still understand the importance of email.
Almost everyone on the Internet has an email address. Unlike email, social networking websites is not universal. Some have no interest in joining social networking websites for multiple reasons privacy, security, reputation, etcetera. Many employees or interns receive an exclusive company-based email address as soon as they begin working, as it may be the only way to electronically communicate with others while in the workplace because many companies are banning access to social networking websites.
Whether or not the idea of communication and its messages can be done in less than 140 characters, a Wall posting, or a rather wordy email, it is all about preference. But, no matter how many users Twitter or Facebook may receive within the next week, email will never die.
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