An e-mail ("E" for electronic) is a letter sent electronically. Whereas
regular mail is sent through the postal system, e-mail is sent to a
computer via the telephone line. You can send and receive e-mail from
anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer, a regular telephone line,
and a software program used for sending and receiving e-mail.

Although there's a wide variety of programs used to send and receive e-mail,
these software programs have some features in common. E-mail programs work
by helping you compose your letter and then sending it to your recipient.

An electronic mail is generally made up of two parts: (1) Recipent(s) List,
which identifies the addressee and destination where your e-mail is going;
and (2) the Message, which contains the actual text of your letter.

An e-mail can have one or multiple recipients, and because your messages are
sent at a speed of 2400 to 14400 bits per second, it is possible to send
a one-page letter (the size of a regular bond paper) in less than ONE second.
This makes it possible for marketers to send e-mail to tens of tousands of
potential customers practically overnight.