In Computing, What is an Autoresponder?

What is an Autoresponder?

An autoresponder is a computer program.  It is usually integrated within your email client program.  You can set up an email autoresponder to immediately answer an email you received with a preset responce.  "I will be on vacation during the week of August 3rd through August 10, 2010...etc."

The first time autoresponders were used was when an email we undeliverable to a given email address.  This generated a responce of "your email was undeliverable because the recipient...". 

Today you will see these autoresponders being used when you place an online order with a company and they immediately send you a "Thank you for your order,We sincerely appreciate your business, We will now be working on filling your order immediately...etc."  Autoresponders will also confirm subscriptions, unsubscriptions, blog posts, and other online activities.  You can probably expect an "autoresponder" by clicking on the following link.

Learn more about this author on Google+.