Computer technology has dramatically changed the landscape of business communication today. It is fast, annihilating the barriers of time and space and the concept of our world turning into a small global village now appears to be a distinct and near possibility. For it is now possible to communicate instantaneously with people inhabiting the remotest places possible. To get a clear picture of the changes that have taken place, let us compare sending a message through a letter, with an E-mail message. In earlier times, the manager dictated the letter to his secretary. When the secretary brought it typed, he reviewed it, revised it and got it retyped. In all probability he again made a few modifications and got the final draft typed. The envelope was typed too. The letter was dropped in the mail and was delivered at the destination several days
later. The whole process was quite cumbersome and time-consuming. Let us now think a situation in which two persons have the facility of two computer terminals connected on a network. One of them types a message on his computer. He can edit it, alter it or reword it as many times as he likes in no time. When he is fully satisfied, he just presses a button and the message is immediately transmitted to its destination. At the other end, the receiver can open the mail, read the message on the monitor and immediately respond to it, or attend to it at his leisure. The whole process takes hardly more than a few minutes. Fax, Voice mail. E-mail, cellular phones, video conferencing etc. are some of the computer based media of communication.
The provided text explains how computer technology has revolutionized business communication by making it faster and bridging distances. It contrasts the slow, traditional method of sending letters with the speed and efficiency of modern digital methods like email.
The passage highlights the significant changes in communication:
The text details the user experience when using computer terminals connected on a network for communication. Specifically, for the person receiving a message:
This entire process, from sending to reading and potentially responding, takes only a few minutes, a stark contrast to the days required for traditional mail.
Let's evaluate the options based on the information given in the passage:
This describes the traditional method of communication, which the passage explicitly contrasts with modern computer-based methods. Therefore, this option is incorrect for computer-based communication.
This option accurately describes what the passage states happens at the receiver's end. The message appears on the monitor, and a quick response is possible. This aligns perfectly with the efficiency described.
Computer-based communication typically involves digital storage, not physical folders. While messages are stored, the primary action described for the receiver is viewing on the monitor and responding, not the method of physical storage.
This option describes the delay associated with traditional mail delivery. Computer-based communication eliminates this waiting period, making messages accessible almost instantly.