PlayNet: in 1983 - The Roots of AOL

In 1983 I worked at a tiny startup called PlayNet that was developing a radical concept: a network for personal computers to support gaming and socializing. Before going under, we licensed our technology to a competitor, QuantumLink, who turned it into something called "AOL". So, out of humble beginnings...

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• PlayNet
• AOL
• 1983
• network
• communications
• games

[slimydog2003]

Whoa! That's Q-Link! I loved Q-link! I loved RabbitJack's Casino! And messin' with the QGuides.

[Malacandra]

@slimydog2003 Yeah, as I mentioned in the comments, QuantumLink licensed the software. The marketed it as Q-Link. Ultimately, they built AOL around the client/server model.

[blogswarm]

This totally makes my day!

Was your office in the Nina, Pinta, or Santa Maria?

[Malacandra]

I was on the fourth ship... you know, the one that fell off the edge of the Earth.

I think it was called "The Pete Best".

[StylistRhymist]

AOL IS FAKE AND NEVER EXISTED

[rjesup]

@Malacandra Yeah, but isn't fun to know what you built ultimately bought Netscape and Time Warner? ;-) Or would *really* have rather had the money? ;-D Isn't the fame enough?

[joecassara]

@Malacandra AOL's system had a lot of GEIS' EF3 protocol built into it as well.

[slimydog2003]

Whoa! That's Q- Link! I loved Q-Link. I remember that they also had their PC version called PCLink right? All I did was chat and play RabbitJack's Casino all nite racking up those "plus" minutes. haha.

[jscharpf]

wonderful! Thanks for posting!

[nmlind]

I voted awesome with 5 stars! Love your suit and tie.