SkillSoft Glossary

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addressing: The process of specifying who must receive a communication. In an e-mail, the To, Cc, and Bcc fields enable you to specify the addresses of recipients.
archiving: An e-mail feature that automatically moves e-mails and folders to an archive based on criteria you set, such as how old the items are and how long they've been in your mailbox without being modified.

Bcc: Abbreviation for blind carbon copy, the address field in an e-mail you use to list one or more recipients who must receive a copy of the message you send a primary recipient. Unlike entries in the Cc field, those you include in the Bcc field won't display to all message recipients.
blind carbon copy: See Bcc.

carbon copy: See Cc.
Cc: Abbreviation for carbon copy, the address field in an e-mail that you use to specify recipients who must receive copies of the e-mail. These addresses will be visible to all other recipients.
chain letter: A hoax letter that instructs you to forward it, often promising a reward or benefit if you do and threatening consequences if you don't.
composition: Structure or layout, for example of text. It's important that e-mail and instant messages use proper composition.

digest: A compilation of messages from an e-mail newsgroup, list, or other service – delivered to the subscriber in one e-mail message, as opposed to many individual messages.
direct recipient: A person to whom a communication is directly addressed. In an e-mail, the addresses of any direct recipients must be entered in the To field.
duplication: In relation to e-mail communication, the practice of copying someone with an e-mail message you send a direct recipient when this is unnecessary. It may involve inappropriately copying a message over the direct recipient's head, for example to a manager.

e-mail etiquette: The conventions that govern how e-mail messages should be used.
emoticons: Icons used in electronic, text-based communication to convey mood or tone. An example is a happy face icon.
escalation: Raising the priority of an issue, often by copying a person in authority with an e-mail you send a direct recipient.

filters: User-defined rules in an e-mail system that enable you to route certain types of e-mail directly to folders in your e-mail account, bypassing the inbox.
flag: A marker in an e-mail application that indicates the priority of an e-mail message.
flagging: To set the priority status of an e-mail using a flag.
forward: To send an e-mail you receive on to one or more new recipients.

inbox: The folder that contains all received e-mails in a user's e-mail application.
instant messaging: A form of electronic communication in which two or more people use the Internet to participate in a text-based "conversation." Once a user sends a message, it displays almost immediately on the recipient's screen. The recipient can then respond in real time.

manipulation: The use of coercion or indirect pressure to achieve an outcome. In relation to e-mail, a person may copy a message over someone's head as a means to manipulate the direct recipient into doing what they want.

priority: The status or importance of an e-mail. The priority of an e-mail can be set as Low, Normal, or High.

self-promotion: The act of promoting your own reputation or status. This is an inappropriate motive for copying an e-mail message to someone in a position of authority over the direct recipient you address.
sender: The person who sends a communication, like an e-mail.
spam: Unsolicited junk e-mail, such as product advertisements or mass marketing e-mails.
subject line: A title identifying the content or purpose of an e-mail message. It's entered in the Subject field of an e-mail.

thread: An original message and any replies.
To: The address field in an e-mail that you use to specify the addresses of direct recipients, who must respond or react directly to the message.
tone: The manner or style in which a communication is expressed. For example, a tone may be formal or informal.

wildcard: A special character you can use in a search term to replace another, unknown character. Commonly denoted by an asterisk (*).