Timeline of The Introduction of Common Communication Technologies

COMMUNICATION TIMELIME:

2400 BC - Mail/Post: a system designed for transporting letters and documents, and small packages to various locations around the world. This system was first reported as being used by the Egyptians in the early years of 2400 BC and continues to be a very influention communication technology of the 21's century. Regardless of all available online communication techniques, sending mail of materialistic objects will always be needed.

1870's - Telephone: Two inventers composed the telephone and has ever since been a major form of communication in the workplace.

1972 - Computers: Computers began to be widely produced and distributed to mainly companies which then began the use of e-mail through the internet. Email is a communication method that I strongly prefer and is one that has proven unbeatable even with all the new 'hip' forms of communication being introduced to society.

1973 - Cellular Telephones: A man named Martin Cooper who worked for the company Motorola had made one of the most influential creations ever introduced to societ being the Cellular Telephone. This is a device that will have an impact on society for the rest of eternity. It is a compact mobile device that has come a long way in terms of technology and communicating abilities (starting with only the ability to make a phone call to now being able to make video calls, text messages, emails, and even interenet surfing).

1990 - Video Messaging: This is when the first programs of video messaging were ever introduced to society however technology was not advanced enough to provide a program that did now have any signal transfer delays. Now a days this type of technology is available directly from ones smart-phone or on any laptop equipped with a webcam through online programs such a Skype.

 1995 - Social Networking: Two men by the names of Steward Brand & Larry Brilliant invented a social network website by the name of WELL, this is ths first recorded social network.

Email Versus Social Media

      I'm sure I am not the only person who has contemplated e-mail being eliminated with all the social media communication techniques. E-mail has always been a way that one can send a private and informal message to either a single person or to a group of people.
     With today's technology making communication within the workplace much more quick and convienient, should people begin to eliminate the e-mail for the more effortless substitutes? Just like the old saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" I believe that emailing is a communication technique that will NOT be overthrown by other multi-media messaging options.  However, according to an article found on http://www.practicalecommerce.com/ statistics have shown that email usage among teenagers age between 12-17 has declined by 59% in the year 2010. Among those aged 18-25 it has declined by only 18%.  Surprisingly in the older generations aging between 55 and older, there has been an INCREASE in email usage.
     One of the major aspects that is prolonging the life of e-mail is that many buisness communications rely on e-mail itself especially to communicate easily with consumers. With that said, I believe it is going to take a little more then a few new messaging techniques to completley eliminate the old ones.

My Thoughts On The Future

    Determining the future is something that nobody will ever be able to predict, however we can only make educated assumptions based on the way that society has been currently proceeding. People now a days want fast and efficient communication, which is possible in various methods including:

• Instant messaging through texting, or BBM
• Voice conferencing which provides the illusion of actually being together
• and Voice messaging by sending pre-recorded voice messages.

      I think that the constant desire for on the spot communication will push communication technologies towards more available options. Although the future will most likely bring more complex options they will be more available to all people. For example, it is possible that all offices will be equipped with video messaging equipment if it continues to increase in popularity and normality. When Skype was first introduced to the public many people didn't see the need of seeing someone if you could just speak over the telephone. Things like delays in sounds in comparison to the images had aggravated some however since the introduction of video messaging there has been thousands of more programs introduced to society that perform the same task.

      What I have come to notice is that the most popular communication methods are those that have included all possible option in one. For example, the Ipad is a communication technology that also provides hardware to store files, take and save picture, send and receive e-mails, direct you with GPS, and also use face time to video conference.
     Now a days vehicles have GPS systems built in as well as capabilities to connect to your phone so one is able to drive and speak without using their needed hands to carry a phone.
     Everything will soon have little bits of every communication feature, I believe this as we are already experiencing this in the majority of all new technology introduced to the public.

Major Negative Aspects of Communication Technology

 
  Although many will argue that today's technology has only provided advantageous aspects to communication, like everything in life, it has it's downfalls. While the newest technology may seem to eliminate travelling costs, mailing costs, and be time efficient, one of the major downfalls is its distracting aspects.
     Since communication within the workplace is so easily accessible by cellular devices and instant messaging on the computer it is widely known for employees to have non-work related conversations while being payed on the job. Many jobs require workers to have their cell phone on hand. Even if the employee is one that is normally focused on work related tasks, alerts from e-mails, text messages and missed calls can easily distract a worker and entice them to waste their work time by socialising.
    This is an ongoing issue in the work fields and is a major way that today's communication technologies are back-firing in terms of work ethic and timeliness.

Video Messaging

   One of the newest additions to communication through technology is voice messaging. This new technology can either be helpful in the workplace, or disadvantageous to its users due to mis-comunications. Some advantages of video messaging include:

• It allows people to speak in real time (there is no lengthy delay) as if they were actually face to face speaking in person.
• It eliminates travel times that are endured when meeting face to face from distant locations.
• It can also eliminate the extreme expenses involved in sending and employee a far distance in an airplane, and then housing them in a hotel for the duration of the trip.
• Job interviews can be done throughout a video conference. This makes it much easier for an employer to contact many possible candidates without having to meet in different locations.

Some disadvantages of video messaging include:

•  Equipment glitches (such as broken microphones etc.) that can cause issues within a conference call.
•  In terms of online job interviews, if a candidate has been hired they still much go to the actual job location to physically fill out paperwork.
• In order to take part in video messaging, all parties must have purchased the equipment necessary (such as video cameras, speakers, microphones, Internet access etc.)
  

Out With The Old, And In With The New!!

     It is ignorant to be unaware of the fact that communication technology has been slowly replacing many jobs that once provided thousands of occupations for citizens. Communication technology has made it possible to just pick up the phone or connect to the internet and instantly communicate with friends or family all over the world. A major job that has been eliminated in todays society due to communication advancements is the Secretarial position. Today, messages can be sent to automated voice messaging systems making it unnecessary and more cost efficient to eliminate the secretarial position.

     Procedures that have once been found necessary in the past have now been eliminated or substituted by some form of technology. Punching in with a punch card to communicate ones hours with an employer has been replaced with a highly advanced finger scanner in many locations. This provides extreme accuracy with the amount of hours worked as well as a direct way of communicating ones hours with the employer. The minute one scans their finger the clocked hours begin to add up. If there are any miscommunications with payments in terms of inproper hour recording, a simple edit can be made to the system by the employer through computer access.

    

The Major Changes In Workplace Communication

      I’m sure that many will agree with the fact that technology has influenced workplace communication. I believe that it has diminished the old formal standards of communicating with higher authority. Texting is a communication method that has not only eliminated all means of grammar throughout conversations with co-workers and bosses, but it has also provided some with the ability to communicate instantly while getting straight to the point. 
     Computers and fax machines are causing people to have less and less face-to-face contact. Conversations can be done throughout e-mail while needed documents can be faxed to any location.
     Therefore, these three  following communication aspects have been changed due to technology:

1. The use of proper grammer towards those of higher authority.
2. The switch in popularity from formal to informal conversation between co-workers.
3. The fact that it is less necessary to actually meet with a worker face-to-face due to all these technological substitutions.

PROS & CONS of Social Networking

        I personally have never been one to spend countless hours on social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook. Similar to emails, they can provide costless solutions to world-wide communications however; they are also entirely accessible to strangers and do not permit much personal privacy.  Following are some positive (PROS) and negative (CONS) aspects to the online social networking world: 

PROS:

• Social networking allows large groups of people to have online conferences and discussions. This can be useful for things such as school group activities or even employee discussions on new policies and procedures.
• One of my favorite aspects is it's abilities to eliminate time and effort that has to be put into decisions as to when and where to meet a group.
• It allows one to send a clear message to a large variety of the public. You can either direct certain discussions towards friends only, or to groups dedicated to a certain value or concept.
• The ability to communicate with people of all races and religions to get universal inputs is highly enjoyed by many social-networkers.

CONS:

The lack of privacy is a major disadvantage to social networking. Personal discussions are more suitable for more private options such as e-mailing. Social networks can allow all friends to view things like personal posts and discussions had with pretty much anyone. 


• Due to social networking it is much easier for one to take part in identity theft. Many social networking sites ask many personal questions where the answers are posted on an individuals 'page' for all to see.



Most sites have very weak sensorship methods and inappropriate content may be accessed by those of young ages.

ABOVE: is a map outlining the areas that different social networks are used throughout the world.

Occupations Highly Influenced by the Communication Methods Due to Technology

MEDICINE:

As mentioned before, I believe that the medicine field is one that has been able to expand its capabilities of helping others due to technologies advancements in communication. When a doctor is able to receive important documents such as test results through email or fax, they are able to diagnose patients at a faster pace. This allows doctors to help the general public at greater masses and faster rates. Medical-Rating sites found on the internet is a technology that allows strangers to communicate with one another about their experiances with certain doctors or general facilities. This can give one an idea as to what each doctor is like and if others approve or disapprove of their work ethics.

POLICING:
3. Computers – after any important event or incident, and officer is required to have a documented report stating the exact days incidents. Computers make is much easier to organize, and much more accessible to others that may need to view such files at a later date.



AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC):

     I believe this is an occupation that solely relies on technologies communication techniques. If we didn’t have the ability to wirelessly transmit signals from traffic control centers to airplanes, then many airplane collisions would occur. Some of the most horrific airplane accidents have occurred throughout history due to ATC negligence.  Not only do airplanes allow humans to travel throughout the planet, they also provide transportation for traded goods throughout the world. Communication is MANDATORY in order to provide such safe and successful trips. 

The general public relies on the local police for security and order within a society. I strongly think that without the following technology communication methods the federal police would not be able to maintain order and security within an area:

1. Walkie-talkies - allow officers in the field to communicate with one another  which is key to keeping a safe environment. Each officer needs to be aware with what is going on locally so that order can be kept within a society.

2. Cell phones - allow for head officers to contact those who are in the field.

How Technology Has Improved Communication In The Workplace

Communication in the workplace is essential for many of societies most relied on jobs. Without certain communication methods such as e-mail and cell-phones, communication between bosses and co-workers would be much more difficult. Cell phones allow for on-demand communication while e-mails provide a simple solution to sending personal documents anywhere in the world. Canada's society wouldn't be nearly as advanced without todays most popular communication technologies; some being:

I. Cellular Phones are probably one of todays most popular communication methods. I believe it to be an amazing device that enables multiple methods of conversation ranging from :

• Personal phone calls
• Voice Messages
• Text Messages
• Video Calling

II. E-Mailing is a quick and easy resolution to communicating with people outside of the office or ar great distances.

III. Social Networking allows mass groups of people to view your ideas and messages, and groups can be made in where only certain people (such as employees) can be part of a discussion.

IV. Video Calling is a newly popular option that is mostly used through the internet site 'Skype' or the Iphone application called 'Facetime'.

        Finally, without the communication options we have today due to technology, advancements in occupations such as Medicine, Policing Security, Science, and many others would not be made possible.