"That’s a funny question isn’t it? It is something of a parlour game question. Yet it’s a marvelous way to analyze the features of different communication modes, and to think about what we really need from our communications." - Kol Tregaskes from Bookmarklet

email - still the most versatile, and durable - Joelle Nebbe (iphigenie)

Yep, agree. though I use Twitter a lot nowadays. - Kol Tregaskes

I personally am not a big fan of email. I have very few contacts via email, most of mine are on Facebook or other sites. I generally only send out an email if I'm sending out my resume. - Mathew™ one of a kind

One addition. Depending on what IM client you're using, it can be searchable. - Rochelle

Rochelle - you're right. A commenter on the blog pointed out that Google Talk enables you to save chats. - Hutch Carpenter

Google Talk isn't the only one that saves chats. I use Digsby which saves them for all email clients - Lindsey is Fierce!

Email first (no character limit), FriendFeed, IM. - AJ Kohn

Don't most save chats? - Kol Tregaskes

Email - Shevonne

i would choose ff. - webosapien (Burcu Tüzün)

Friendfeed - Igor Poltavskiy

I don't think social networks are purely private. Take Last.fm for example. This comparison should also consider the ability to share/transfer files. - Mitch

oh gawd. I'd say IM but it really depends on my mood. - Tamar Weinberg

If I could pick only one: email. I can send texts to husband via email, so dual purpose. - Alix Whitmire

Blogging. - J. D. Ebberly

I would have to say social networks. - Adriana

Twitter - sanyam

Adriana, which service? - Kol Tregaskes

It's missing two crucial element, Mobility and off line work. Which are the two big advantages of SMS and email respectively. - Amit Morson

Amit - that's good feedback. Do you think SMS will fade in importance with the continued growth of web-enabled smart phones? - Hutch Carpenter