Communication routes are the roads that connect different points, favoring the circulation of different vehicles.
A conduit, path, access or path , whether physical or symbolic, is called a road . Communication , for its part, refers to the process of transmitting a message , which is generated by a sender and intended for a receiver.
The concept of communication routes can be used in two ways: referring to the roads that allow the movement of vehicles or referring to the means that allows a message to reach other person(s).
Communication routes as roads
In the first case, we can say that the means of communication are the streets , avenues , routes ( highways ), highways , bridges and tunnels , to name some infrastructures that allow certain transport to circulate. The idea of a communication route includes water courses that are navigable (and that, therefore, allow routes to be covered by boats).
If a person plans to drive his car from his home to a football stadium, he will have to choose the communication routes that are most convenient for him. You can , for example , proceed along street
Contact means
The notion of communication channel , on the other hand, is associated with those means that allow messages to be transmitted . The hosts of a television program can invite viewers to send them their opinions on a topic through various means of communication: a telephone number, an email address, a Facebook page or a Twitter account, for example. ; All these supports are means of communication.
To ensure that a message successfully travels the path that takes it from its sender to its receiver, it is necessary to take into account various issues. Let us not forget that communication is the basis of organization in society , and this applies to any animal species.
Those systems and resources that enable the exchange of messages can be called communication channels.
Effectiveness and efficiency of communication channels
Therefore, let's look below at some of the most important aspects of effective and efficient communication channels:
* variety : as mentioned in a previous paragraph, currently human beings have a large number of different means of communication, among which instant messaging applications, social networks and mobile phones stand out. The greater the variety , the more likely it is that the message will reach its destination, since if one of the alternatives fails, another can be tried;
* quality : this point is relative, since to judge the quality of a communication channel it is necessary to place oneself in its context and analyze potential anomalies. For example, while a wired connection between two telephone terminals can be considered of poor quality if it is not adequately insulated or if sections are too deteriorated, an instant messaging application should be analyzed for its encryption algorithm, the presence of invasive advertising or the options offered to the user;
* accessibility : especially in the field of communications through technological means, it is very important to consider the possibilities of the interlocutor(s) before choosing or developing a communication channel, so that all participants can take advantage of it. In this case we are talking about both economic issues (that it is not offered at a very high price, or that it is free) and health (that it does not exclude those individuals with physical or mental disabilities, whenever possible).
In addition to the three points presented above, a communication channel is effective when it respects the characteristics and limitations of its context , both at a social, geographical, economic and historical level. To do this, it is necessary to start with a clear and coherent objective, which adjusts to the needs and does not aim to cover more than possible.