Re: AOL? Do What?!

[sedrake@drunkmail.com (John Smith)]

Lord of the Flies  <python@ux1.cyberenet.net> wrote in message news:<3b4e84e7_1@news.eticomm.net>...
> In comp.sys.cbm John Oyler <jojo4@mediaone.net> wrote:
> > 
> > "why Commodore _OWNED_ Apple in sales and user base" [---RaYzor]
> > 
> > Ah. I think I can clear this up in one sentence. "No wonder AOL is America's
> > #1 ISP!"
> > 
> > John
> > 
> --
> 
> Um, _no,_ I'm not so sure that that clears anything up at all.  In fact
> I'm a little confused: What in the hell do ISPs have to do with this
> subject anyway, muchless AOL?
> 
> And were you aware that AOL wasn't always AOL?  It used to be a pre-inet
> on-line service called Q-Link.  And does anyone here know who it served,
> the reason for its existence?  Show of hands?  That's right everyone: the
> answer is Commodore Computers and their users.  And yes, Steve Case was
> there the whole time.
> 
> What?  You think AOL just popped-up all big outta nowhere?  Man, typically
> big companies take time, time, time to get that way!  (Am I right about
> that?)  They built their foundation on Commodore and built UP via
> Commodore!  But you didn't realize that, did ya?  "Clear"?  Not even.
> 
> 
> 				---The Lord of the Flies
> 				   (AKA, Python)
> 				   python@eticomm.net
> 
> 
> *(C)ontinue  (A)bort  (F)all Asleep*


Actually check this site out for more information on AOL beginings. 

http://www.atarihq.com/2678/3party/cvc.html

It was called CVC and ran a service for the Atari 2600, then changed
their name to Quantum, then to AOL. Phoenix the Fall and Rise of Video
Games by Leonard Herman has some good information on this as well.

02/91 DOS version of America Online launched 
06/90 Quantum's "Promenade" service launched for the IBM PS/1 
10/89 "America Online" service is launched for Macintosh and Apple II 
08/88 Quantum's "PC-Link" launched through a joint venture with Tandy
Corporation
11/85 Quantum's first online service, "Q-Link," launched on Commodore
Business Machines
05/24/85 Date of incorporation under original founding name, Quantum
Computer Services, registered in Delaware