Understanding the Virtual: Real Communication with Technology Devices

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In the past, communication, especially long-distance communication, was tricky. Even if it were possible, it would take days to do. Thousands of years ago, people sent messages through third parties.

So we write a message and then pass it on to a third party for delivery. Later it is the third party who transmits it to the target person. The greater the distance between the sender and recipient, the longer it takes for the message to arrive.

It usually lasts days to months. That’s just the process of sending messages, not to mention waiting for a reply much longer.

Also, sending messages this way is expensive as we have to pay the fare for the messenger. Over time, the postal system was invented and widely used to send messages and communicate. Although cheaper and a bit faster, this system still takes time.

You discovered telephone technology in the 1920s, which was still straightforward and only used by certain people. Decades have passed since the invention of the telephone, and we can finally communicate more easily with the smartphone. No more waiting months for messages to be sent.

Now we only need a few seconds, not just send messages or hear voices. In addition, we can virtually speak directly to this person.

 

Virtual communication with technology.

 

As already mentioned, all communication is now virtual. Then the question arises, what is virtual? We often hear the term virtual and experience its usefulness in everyday communication. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, we don’t see our family very often.

Especially when the pandemic was at its peak, people mostly stayed home, even on major public holidays. It doesn’t matter going home to meet family in our hometown to greet neighbors. We worry. Since we cannot meet extended families living far away, virtual communication is required to keep the relationship strong.

According to KBBI, virtual has three meanings, namely accurate and very similar, and the last meaning of virtual is a physical presence with a communication tool. Simply put, Virtual is a technology that allows users to communicate with other people as if they were meeting face-to-face in the real world.

Nowadays, virtual communication is not only used to ask for news but is also used in many areas. Education, health, and even jobs are often done virtually.

Virtual communication for users looks easy. It is because we have used it a lot. Every day we use virtual communication to get in touch with many people, be it the closest people like friends and family, or we contact people because of work matters.

However, virtual communication is divided into several types. What are the guys?

 

  1. Formal Communication

 

Formal communication is a form of official communication. Proper virtual or in-person communication is usually carried out for matters related to labor affairs, government meetings, and media press releases when there is important news.

During the current Covid-19 pandemic, formal virtual communication has become the choice of many companies and governments to keep work moving without the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Like a normal situation, formal communication in the context of work is carried out by two or more people simultaneously. Usually, this communication uses video conferencing technology provided by many applications in the Play Store. The atmosphere seems severe, and the subject matter is limited.

 

  1. Informal communication

 

If we used to talk about formal communication that seemed official, now it’s the opposite. Informal communication is face-to-face communication conducted by two people with close relationships. This type of communication is carried out only by the closest people—for example, you and your immediate family members or you and your best friend.

The discussion discussed in the non-formal communication also has a warm atmosphere with more diverse topics.

Unlike formal virtual communication, which was only famous during the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual non-formal communication was conducted well before the pandemic broke out.

 

  1. Group Communication

As the name suggests, this communication is carried out by more than two to dozens of group members. Usually, this communication is exclusive, and only those invited participate.

To prevent strangers from entering, the group admin will send an invite link via the member’s email address. Subsequent members click the link and enter the event.

Unlike non-formal communication, which is rigid and non-formal relaxed, virtual group communication can be a combination of both. Sometimes it is done by friends, organizational groups, or specific communities.

 

  1. Network

 

This type of virtual communication resembles informal virtual communication types. This type of communication only became popular after the Covid-19 pandemic. With cases skyrocketing daily and the government’s appeal not to gather with large crowds, businesses are forced to close their offices.

However, to keep the business running, they implement a work-from-home system, better known as WFH. Employees engage in virtual network communications to stay connected and get work done. Its members are also limited to employees in the company with work-related topics.

 

  1. Informal Communication

 

Also, informal communication is similar to non-formal. Still, if some of the above types of virtual communication are done with careful planning and prepared topics, then informal communication will be done without a plan or even accidentally.

Since this virtual meeting was held randomly, it is no wonder that the topics discussed can be very random and varied. Individuals who are members of informal communication can also be a collection of strangers who have never spoken to each other or met in person. Meetings of this type usually only take place occasionally.

 

  1. Email or Email

 

You must know the name and Email. Electronic mail, better known as Email, is similar to the paper messages we receive. But the difference is that electronic mail is delivered virtually instead of paper and sealed envelopes.

Instead of sending it to the home address, the Email is delivered to the user’s email address. And if you enter the email address correctly, the message will get through.

In the past, Yahoo! was the only company that offered email services; today, most people have Gmail, also known as Gmail, Google’s messaging provider.

 

  1. Chatting

 

Chat or instant messaging is the most popular and used visual communication. With the chat, we can send messages to one or more people simultaneously within a few minutes.

Interestingly, not only can you send messages, but various applications from instant messaging providers are now equipped with telephone and video calling functions. So you can also reach someone and see what they were doing back then. Chatting and video calling features are provided by instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and social media apps like Instagram.

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