Communication in our daily lives takes many forms and occurs in many environments. We have different expectations depending on whether we are chatting via the Internet or participating in a job interview. Each situation has its corresponding expected behaviors and styles.
Establishing the Rules
Before beginning to communicate with each other, we establish rules or agreements to govern the conversation, as shown in the figures. These rules, or protocols, must be followed in order for the message to be successfully delivered and understood. Among the protocols that govern successful human communication are:
- An identified sender and receiver
- Agreed upon method of communicating (face-to-face, telephone, letter, photograph)
- Common language and grammar
- Speed and timing of delivery
- Confirmation or acknowledgement requirements
Communication rules may vary according to the context. If a message conveys an important fact or concept, a confirmation that the message has been received and understood is necessary. Less important messages may not require an acknowledgement from the recipient.
The techniques that are used in network communications share these fundamentals with human conversations.