Date   : Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:44:07 +0200
From   : rick@... (Rick Murray)
Subject: Electric Dreams last night.

Rob wrote:

> Grating:  1985. "Teletext. The closest the 80s came to the world wide web,"

What? I'm a fan of teletext and all, but I have to disagree. It was 
strictly one-way (except those odd services where you call a number and 
they gave you special pages to go to).


> What, no mention /at all/ of Prestel,

Prestel wasn't exactly a success. They'd be obliged to mention Minitel 
(which is STILL in use!) and that's not a good thing...


> Micronet 800, Bulletin Boards, et. al. ?

I think BBSing was seen as a bit nerdy and/or a bit subversive. That 
said, didn't BT run a system that was sort of a cross between BBSing and 
Prestel - "Telecom Gold" or something?


> Certainly they led the way towards the web as we know it..

Interactivity is a prerequisite if you ask me. Teletext, for all its 
features, is basically plunking a broadcast signal out of the air and 
looking at it. The only interaction is between you and the TV.


> Sign...
.hack//Sign !


Best wishes,

Rick.

-- 
Rick Murray, eeePC901 & ADSL WiFI'd into it, all ETLAs!
BBC B: DNFS, 2 x 5.25" floppies, EPROM prog, Acorn TTX
E01S FileStore, A3000/A5000/RiscPC/various PCs/blahblah...