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comparison thesis/tex/2-MarketAnalysis.tex @ 403:b357dfc509b5

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author meillo@marmaro.de
date Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:13:12 +0100
parents e57129f57faa
children 1d527ad76c97
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140 \section{Electronic mail} 140 \section{Electronic mail}
141 \index{email} 141 \index{email}
142 142
143 %fixme: add short summery: where exactly is masqmail's position within e-comm?
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145 After viewing the whole market of electronic communication, a zoom into the market of electronic mail follows. Email is an asynchronous communication technology that focuses on the transport of textual information. The market situation for email is important, because this thesis is about an \MTA. Interesting questions are: Is email future-safe? How will electronic mail change? Will it change at all? Which are the critical parts? These questions matter when deciding the directions for further development of an \MTA. They are discussed in this section. 143 After viewing the whole market of electronic communication, a zoom into the market of electronic mail follows. Email is an asynchronous communication technology that focuses on the transport of textual information. The market situation for email is important, because this thesis is about an \MTA. Interesting questions are: Is email future-safe? How will electronic mail change? Will it change at all? Which are the critical parts? These questions matter when deciding the directions for further development of an \MTA. They are discussed in this section.
146 144
147 145
148 146
149 \subsection{SWOT analysis} 147 \subsection{SWOT analysis}
183 An opportunity of the market and at the same time a strength of electronic mail is its standardization. Few other communication technologies are standardized, and thus freely available, in a similar way. Another opportunity and strength is the modular and extensible structure of electronic mail; it can easily evolve to new requirements. 181 An opportunity of the market and at the same time a strength of electronic mail is its standardization. Few other communication technologies are standardized, and thus freely available, in a similar way. Another opportunity and strength is the modular and extensible structure of electronic mail; it can easily evolve to new requirements.
184 \index{email!standardiziation} 182 \index{email!standardiziation}
185 183
186 The increasing integration of communication channels is an opportunity for the market. But deciding whether it is a weakness or strength of email is difficult. Due to the impossibility to integrate synchronous stream data and large binary data, it is a weakness. But it is also a strength, because arbitrary asynchronous communication data already can be integrated. On the other hand, the integration might be a threat too, because integration often leads to complexity of software. Complex software is more error prone and thus less reliable. This, however, could again be a strength of electronic mail because its modular design decreases complexity. 184 The increasing integration of communication channels is an opportunity for the market. But deciding whether it is a weakness or strength of email is difficult. Due to the impossibility to integrate synchronous stream data and large binary data, it is a weakness. But it is also a strength, because arbitrary asynchronous communication data already can be integrated. On the other hand, the integration might be a threat too, because integration often leads to complexity of software. Complex software is more error prone and thus less reliable. This, however, could again be a strength of electronic mail because its modular design decreases complexity.
187 185
188 Figure~\ref{fig:email-swot} displays the \NAME{SWOT} analysis in a handy overview. It is obvious to see, that the opportunities outweigh. This is an indicator for a still increasing market. %fixme: ref 186 Figure~\ref{fig:email-swot} displays the \NAME{SWOT} analysis in a handy overview. It is obvious to see, that the opportunities outweigh. This is an indicator for a still increasing market.
189 \index{swot analysis} 187 \index{swot analysis}
190 188
191 \begin{figure} 189 \begin{figure}
192 \begin{center} 190 \begin{center}
193 \includegraphics[scale=0.75]{fig/email-swot.eps} 191 \includegraphics[scale=0.75]{fig/email-swot.eps}
220 Nothing remains the same, neither does the email technology. Emailing in future will probably differ from emailing today. This section tries to identify possible trends that affect the future of electronic mail. 218 Nothing remains the same, neither does the email technology. Emailing in future will probably differ from emailing today. This section tries to identify possible trends that affect the future of electronic mail.
221 219
222 220
223 \subsubsection*{Provider independence} 221 \subsubsection*{Provider independence}
224 222
225 Today's email structure is heavily dependent on email providers. This means, most people have email addresses from some provider. These can be providers that offer email accounts in addition to their regular services, for example online connections. \NAME{AOL} and \name{T\mbox{-}On\-line} for instance do so. Or specialized email providers that commonly offer free mail as well as enhanced mail services for which one has to pay. Examples for specialized email providers are \NAME{GMX} and \name{Yahoo}. %fixme: check for non-breakable dash 223 Today's email structure is heavily dependent on email providers. This means, most people have email addresses from some provider. These can be providers that offer email accounts in addition to their regular services, for example online connections. \NAME{AOL} and \name{T-Online} for instance do so. Or specialized email providers that commonly offer free mail as well as enhanced mail services for which one has to pay. Examples for specialized email providers are \NAME{GMX} and \name{Yahoo}.
226 \index{mail provider} 224 \index{mail provider}
227 225
228 Outgoing mail is send either with the web mail client of the provider or by using an \MUA\ which sends it to the provider for relay. Incoming mail is read with the web mail client or retrieved from the provider via \NAME{POP3} or \NAME{IMAP} to the local computer to be read using the \MUA. This means all mail sending and receiving work is done by the provider. 226 Outgoing mail is send either with the web mail client of the provider or by using an \MUA\ which sends it to the provider for relay. Incoming mail is read with the web mail client or retrieved from the provider via \NAME{POP3} or \NAME{IMAP} to the local computer to be read using the \MUA. This means all mail sending and receiving work is done by the provider.
229 \index{pop3} 227 \index{pop3}
230 \index{imap} 228 \index{imap}