Optron #35 25 апреля 2000

ZXNet

Opinion - The phenomenon of e-mail (look and feel of the programmer).

  From the Editor


  Article MM Isaeva about "the true face of networkers," 
published in our | 32, made a splash in ZXNet. Well, whoever 
going to "plunge into the world of web, must go for it with 
your eyes open! But at the However, there are other points of 
view on this account.


  Material with which we want you now
acquaint (publish it in a few short form), in his widely 
circulated on the FIDO and I think many memorable networker. 
The more it will be interesting to read those who are just 
going to join the world of electronic mail.




        The phenomenon of e-mail

     (Look and feel of the programmer)

{} Yuri V. Levdik, 1994


  There is something in all of our lives, what motivates us to 
communicate "heart to heart" with their own kind by all means 
... 


  And now, nice to remember how quiet
winter evenings I tried to find common ground
language with an amazing device called
"Modem" that stood inside the computer.

  According to the stories of some, this device could
provide instant communication on the phone with
any other computer, and other special
did not express enthusiasm, but every now and then
uttered in a conversation mysterious sound combinations - 
BBC-es "," E-mail, "" Internet "," Fido "... The whole thing 
blew something otherworldly and zabugornye, both from

Block Political News Voice of America
from Munich ...

  But here's a miracle happened - a friend brought back from
Moscow sighted listing, where it was
sensibly and in Russian described as
manage the modem. I immediately plopped down on the
dilapidated chair in front of a computer and
launched the program, functional title which, as it were came 
from the depths Computer centuries - "terminal."


  The printout was given a single phone number, Leningrad, v.
which stood majestically "Kronverk
BBS ". When typing a command, I called back at
using a modem, and - still can not believe it! - Get through! 
There was a terrific unaccustomed ears, hoarse squeak, who 
replaced noise and rattle, and the screen of my television 
climbed snatches of English words mixed with utter nonsense ...



  Yes, e-mail - it is indeed
something beyond, not having any shape,
no voice, no handwriting, but the existing
anywhere (where there is a computer, modem, telephone
and appropriate software).

  You know what I mean?

  But, unlike God, ruling
over people, e-mail, as
embodiment of human needs in
free communication, is to those who
created and uses it. And freedom of communication is great, as 
nowhere else - nobody in the world of computer communications 
will not be able to get me to say with those who are not 
interested in me or unpleasant, just as nobody can willful 
decision to terminate my contact with those who I'm always 
happy. 

  And all this - with optimum speed,
allowing me to calmly think about the answer and
do not forget the days of the prescription that I myself
wrote someone. Slower than a phone conversation, but much 
faster than ordinary mail.


  And yet - there are no essential noise
because of which the words do not make out as if
radio, no bands far and wide,
as is often the case when receiving messages by fax and receive 
clear the text in your friend or partner on the other side of 
the planet a few hours ago.


  Phenomenal invention!


  Professional programmer topics
here is occupied, of course, the greatest part
information space. But without the work
You can find like-minded or opponent
in a conversation about politics, religion and much more.

  Knowing nothing about the appearance and voice,
about the habits and attitudes of people living in
e-galaxies, you manage to find someone with a common language 
and with someone - fall out to the nines, to help someone - and 
most receive the necessary help from someone ... 

  Once in the electronic universe, man
finds in her response to almost any
thought or emotion, "throw" overboard
his skull. The ripples arising from the fall of someone's 
touchstone, is being distributed without attenuation to the 
farthest boundaries, interact with other similar disturbances, 
live themselves on their own, like a boomerang back to the 
original source ... 

  One day, after another problem at work and at home, 
destitution and powerlessness to change anything, made me

pour out his heart program to write emails. Depressive letter 
should fall into one of the public newsgroups (on

Message: I would like to send it by mail to your friend 
network). The effect was impressive: I got a few replies with 
sympathy, a few friendly tips two to three business proposals 
and comments from Head teleconference for the letter does not

in the subject. It is ridiculous, of course, try to solve
Similar problems with electronic
mail - for good psychotherapists - but this case has convinced 
me at sensitivity of the electronic community

any impacts, and this manifested itself with extreme 
sensitivity to "Non-electronic" world speed.



  Understand the popularity of e-mail at
business and commerce - its efficiency, immunity could not call 
for their active interest. 

  But how do you explain that, once entered
in this world, people often do not even
Programmer, no longer represents their
life without the daily miracle of the ordinary?


  Of course, we live not in the best of
worlds.

  However, the electronic universe can not be considered an 
adequate model of society! Even more or less the weighted 
sample, it is not is.


  Community inhabiting the Network - a huge,
multilingual, multicultural, not to mention
mention the difference in age and interests - in
something simulates a utopian society
polite and interested in each other
people. Their differences do not tear, revolution and national 
liberation movements, political parties and power struggles ... 

  So maybe that is what makes each of us to come back here 
every day? In an invisible electronic universe that stretched 
to all corners of the world's mail thread communication and 
connecting them completely different and strangers in a common 
pursuit of their for freedom, dialogue and stability.