Email as we know it is about to be the prehistoric fossil of the Internet.
Hard to believe right? I’m still trying to convince some people to try that new-fangled Internet. Some of my friends are willing to read my emails, but they never reply. A few refuse to get their own email address, clinging desperately to the idea that an email address is just like a home address where one mailbox serves the whole family.
Meanwhile, my Teen Daughter goes through email addresses like they’re Kleenex. She just doesn’t use it for communication purposes. For her, an email account is the key that opens all the other cool sites online – Polyvore, Facebook, Picnik.
I’ve been trying to encourage my son to use email to correspond with friends and family. We’ve set up an account on Yahoo Mail, and added a contact list so that it should be fairly easy to post an email. He’s sent a few emails, and received replies every time. However, email doesn’t have the allure of instant messaging. He’d rather chat in real time on his favorite site, Roblox.
Google Wave is going to change the way my kids communicate online.
Integrating all the best features of email, instant messaging, and wikis; Google Wave is also encouraging 3rd party development of applications and robots. You’ll be able to access Facebook, Twitter, and whatever else you want, from the one spot where you manage all your accounts and projects.
Realistically, my kids will probably take to Google Wave about as enthusiastically as they’ve taken to Flock. It makes their online experience easier when they remember to use it, but they’re just as likely to enter Internet Explorer.
I’m the one who can’t wait to boogie board on the Google Wave. Finally, the ultimate command center is at hand.
Related Article:
Home Schooling The Networked Student Series:
- Home Schooling The Networked Student
- How To Set Up Your Child’s New Computer
- Selecting A Browser For Your Child’s Computer
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Tags: Digitallearning
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I was just going to tell you this morning about google! They are really great! Their gmail account is better than Yahoo. They will forward any emails that come in to wherever you want it to go, for free(like my work address that I am on all day long!). Yahoo you have to upgrade, and therefore pay for this same feature.
Also, google has picasa pictures which is really great for organizing your pictures and sharing. It allows you to share your pictures and your friends can download the pictures to their own pc, then they can print. None of the others allow this, and you have to order the pictures from shutterfly etc. You have to try picasa, it is really great!!
Google also lets you do the same with videos.
At work we use google docs, and we can all see the same document at the same time, and see the changes another person is doing live.
I really love google!! I am sure I only use a fraction of the features, but it is great. Funny you were thinking the same thing!
Wow! I’m now envisioning our whole family connected across the globe through the magic of Google.
Actually, I do have a gmail and a Picasa account, but I haven’t used them. I use Outlook to manage the Yahoo mail account that I’ve held for nearly 13 years, and I tend to use Flickr over Picasa (for no particular reason.)
However, with Google Wave on the horizon, I think it will be worth making the switch, especially if everyone else is switching with me.
BTW – did you hear that Mom is in Peru?
Sandra Foyt´s last blog post..Watch Out For The Comments When You Take Aim At Homeschoolers
I have not used fliker too much. I had an account, but rarely used it. I like picasa because it takes all the pictures on your pc and organizes them chronologically. Try it and let me know what you think..
Here are my Picasa Albums: http://spedr.com/1fkmk
and here is my Flickr Album Archive: http://spedr.com/42qjx
Both allow chronological organization. I’ve tended to use Flickr because I’ve set up the upload button on my toolbar for ease of use.
I’ve tried, but don’t like having Picasa organize my photos, as I end up confused as to their location. I have a lot of photos, and I have to store them on an external hard drive. Instead, I use the computer file structure to organize my photos.
When I start using Google Wave, I’ll probably also use Picasa more.