modern communications

conversation
Intellectual process which permits distribution of ideas can be stimulating.

post
A national institution with international conventions.
Traditional method by which the written word could be disseminated on a very personalised basis.
Currently provides a small amount of interesting items swamped by a deluge of unwanted documents from unknown sources..

mail
A newer abomination where forest and energy are combined to increase the ratio of unwanted documents in your post.

junk mail
A wanton activity to increase this ratio by commercial investment.
Succesful - 70% of UK post is junk mail.

mail list
Collection of people's names who have asked to be kept up to date with new data.
Can be confused with inaccurate data offered to inflate your list with names of people of which you have never heard.

fax
Equipment for sending drawings and other low resolution images.
Liked by people for receiving text when they need to feel important.

e-mail
A potential way of reducing ecological destruction.
Already corrupted by the abuse of sending unsolicited mail.

telephone
Electrical equipment which allows conversation between two persons not in each others presence.

mobile telephone
Rude method of interrupting conversation.
Electrical equipment carried to advise government where you are.

answering machine
Equipment to store messages from people you want to hear from.
Often abused by providing an uninterruptible period (paid for by the sender) of unnecessarily lengthy recorded announcement.
Provides telephone company with revenue when you are not there to operate your phone.

voice mail
System to make the practical process of telephone communication frustratingly ineffective and more costly.
Often used to mask the effects of a poorly time managed individual.

call handling system
Equipment to deter you from achieving communication.
Allows telephone company to generate revenue you don't wish to spend.
Used by companies which are to busy to provide you with a decent service.

internet
Exciting potential way of allowing easily accessed and free information.
Already misunderstood by most users.

website
Forum for presentation of free information.
A new instrument of frustration when executed poorly.