Micronet 800

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English

Micronet 800 was a provider of information and communication services hosted on Prestel, a British videotex service, from 1983 to 1991. It targeted the UK home computer market and operated as an online, subscription-based magazine and database. Subscribers also received Log On, a print quarterly.<ref name=LogOnArchive> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Scroll down to Log On section and pdfs of issues 1 (July 1987), 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 (Winter 1990).</ref>

Micronet 800 offered computer-related news, reviews of hardware, software, and videogames, access to turn-based and real-time multiplayer games (MUDs), downloadable telesoftware, chatrooms and bulletin boards, business and personal finance advice, and email, telex, and other forms of messaging.<ref name=ViewdataRevArchived> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In addition, a group, club, or individual could rent space on the database.<ref name=LogOn7 />

A subscriber connected to Micronet 800 via the Prestel network using an ordinary phoneline (typically at local call rates)Template:Refn and a microcomputer equipped with a modem.Template:Refn If their microcomputer had not been set up to access Micronet’s home page automatically, they entered *800# to do so.

HistoryEdit

OriginEdit

Micronet 800 stemmed from the development by Bob Denton, in 1980 and 1981, of Electronic Insight, a features and price-comparison site on Prestel listing computers, calculators and other electronic and IT products. Its entry-point was page 800.<ref name=ElecInsightPCW> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 1982, Electronic Insight was acquired by Telemap, the videotex arm of EMAP (East Midland Allied Press), on the recommendation of Richard Hease, the owner of ECC Publications: EMAP had just bought several computer magazines from him.<ref name=E-DreamsMicronet-1> Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp

Telemap, formed in 1981, was at that time an information provider on Prestel.<ref name=PCWkly-19821020> Template:Cite magazine</ref> EMAP asked Hease to look into the future viability of Telemap's Prestel presence. In Hease's words, "I thought the only way Prestel was going to work was to make it possible to link micros into it and develop a database micro users would want."<ref name=PCW-1983-07 />Template:Rp In autumn 1982, Hease and Denton negotiated a deal with British Telecom that provided substantial investment and positioned Micronet 800 as a key part of a new plan by Prestel for attracting residential users.<ref name=Times-Sept82> Template:Cite newspaper The Times</ref> The Department of Trade and Industry provided additional financial backing.<ref name=PCW-1983-07 />Template:Rp The arrangement included the free installation for subscribers of a phone jack-socket in which to plug a modem.<ref name=SpectrumLetter-1983> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=JackSocketForm-1983> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DevelopmentEdit

Telemap was responsible for Micronet 800 and the editorial development of the site.

Prism MicroproductsTemplate:Refn developed the modems needed to make Micronet 800 pages accessible by a variety of home computers. These included the Apple II, ZX81, BBC Micro, Dragon 32/64, IBM PC, PET, ZX Spectrum, Sinclair QL, Lynx, VIC-20, and Commodore 64.<ref name="vtu"> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Prism's modems ranged from a simple acoustic coupler to integrated network interface controllers, and included the VTX 5000, custom-designed for the ZX Spectrum.<ref name=SincUser-1983-11 />

From 1985, prospective Micronet subscribers were sent a list of other modem suppliers.<ref name=ModemSupply> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> That same year, Prism went into receivership and Telemap purchased their modem stock. In 1986, in a bid to increase take-up, Micronet 800 offered a free modem to new users subscribing for a year.<ref name=FreeModem> Template:Cite newspaper</ref>

GrowthEdit

In March 1983, at the launch of the service, the first subscriber was Jeremy Dredge, an estate agent. There were over 2000 subscriptions during the first two months of Micronet 800,<ref name=PCW-1983-07> Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Rp rising to over 4000 by October.<ref name=PCW-1984-01> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Just over a year later, in November 1984, the figure had grown to more than 9000, with subscribers to Micronet accounting for nearly 60% of Prestel's residential users.<ref name=PCW-1984-11> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Franchises to run Micronet were given to the Hong Kong Telephone Company and the Swedish PTT.<ref name=franchise> Template:Cite magazine</ref> The Micronet news editor stated that in December that year, 1.1 million accesses per week were made to the Micronet database.<ref name=SincUser-37 />

By January 1986, there were 18,000 subscribers,<ref name=SincUser-42> Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Rp with 20,000 declared in an advertisement by Micronet published in July that same year.<ref name=SincUser-52> Template:Cite magazine</ref> 25,000 subscribers and a database of 35,000 pages were reported<ref name=25kSubs-1> Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=NewLook /> when Micronet was relaunched under new management in mid-1988.<ref name=Relaunch-1> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Looking back some decades later, David Babsky, Micronet 800's founding editor, observed that:<ref name=E-DreamsMicronet-1 />Template:Rp<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

What we found was that there was a high churn rate ... So we kept getting lots of new people, but at the same time about a third of the people we had disappeared.{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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Incorporation in Prestel MicrocomputingEdit

In May 1984, as one of several specialised services launched on Prestel at the time, British Telecom set up Prestel Microcomputing.<ref name=PrestelMicro84> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This incorporated services from Micronet 800 and the information providers Viewfax 258 (a magazine similar in scope to Micronet 800)<ref name=PCW-1984-02> Template:Cite magazine</ref> and Clubspot 810 (run by ACC, the Association of Amateur Computer Clubs).<ref name=PCW-1984-08> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Acquisition by British TelecomEdit

In 1985, Bell Canada bought a 20% share in Telemap, and British Telecom acquired a 25% stake.<ref name=BellCanada> Template:Cite news</ref> British Telecom became the majority shareholder in 1987, initially managing the company as part of BT Spectrum, its Value Added Services Group, before transferring it to BT Prestel. In 1989, British Telecom acquired the entire company.<ref name=LogOn9>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It moved it to Dialcom House in Apsley, near Hemel Hempstead, and folded the business first into the Dialcom Group (along with BT Prestel and Telecom Gold), and then into BT Managed Network Services.

ClosureEdit

British Telecom closed Micronet 800 on 31 October 1991.<ref name=AcornUser-1991-12> Template:Cite magazine</ref> A letter to members stated that "With over 10,000 members, Micronet is easily the largest online service in the UK specialising in microcomputing. However, it is still not large enough to enable us to maintain a cost-effective service and provide the extra facilities requested by our customers."<ref name=MicronetClosure1991> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The figure of 10,000 was less than 10% of what was predicted shortly after launch.<ref name="vtu"/> The letter included a free introductory membership to CompuServe, suggested as "[An] excellent alternative to the many products and services provided by Micronet."

Membership had decreased from a peak of around 25,000.<ref name=25kSubs-1 /> The Guardian attributed the decline to the introduction in mid-1988 of an off-peak Prestel time-charge discouraging the use of the "Chatlines" service.<ref name=BrownMicronet1991> Template:Cite news</ref> The Times agreed, and also pointed to a steep rise in subscription charges, opining that "BT's failure to provide even this committed group with an economic ... service means that Prestel is destined ... for businesses."<ref name=MayMicronet1991> Template:Cite newspaper The Times</ref>

Services providedEdit

File:Micronet800page.jpg

Printed on Micronet 800 headed paper, this page from the science fiction section of the database shows an entry to a story competition, Template:Circa 1985

Directories and guidesEdit

Micronet 800 had an ATemplate:NdashZ online index, published a directory in its Log On print magazine,<ref name=Directory-eg> For example, see: Template:Cite magazine</ref> and distributed a guide for users containing a London Tube-style map of the database.<ref name=MicronetTubeMap> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ChatlinesEdit

A form of chatroom, Chatlines began in late 1984 as a single online chat service where users could post messages that other users could read and respond to. It was described in the vocabulary of the time as a "Citizens' Band (CB) emulator".<ref name=SincUser-36> Template:Cite magazine</ref> A year later, Chatlines was divided into six special-interest sections and moved to a mainframe computer.<ref name=ChatElectroComp> Template:Cite magazine </ref>

By 1986, eight Chatlines were available: two so-called "Daisychats", each composed of a continuous loop of linked videotex frames where, once full, the newest posting overwrote the oldest; and six online forums, where postings were archived. The forums, known as "lines", included ones for politics and religion (the latter was monitored), "Gay Chatline", and a weekly "Celebrity Chatline" (launched in 1985),<ref name=ChatLaunch> Template:Cite magazine </ref> which operated like a phone-in Template:Sndusers posted questions to a celebrity,Template:Refn who would answer them during an interview by a Micronet editor.<ref name=SincUser-42 />Template:Rp

In June 1990, British Telecom suspended Chatlines.<ref name=ChatSusp-1> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Micronet stated that sporadic monitoring had not prevented abuse of the service, and that it would investigate how to operate Chatlines in a "fully monitored" way in future, though without committing to a reinstatement.<ref name=ChatSusp-2> Template:Cite magazine</ref> In the event, Chatlines did not return. A year later, Micronet introduced a moderated "Line Noise" forum.<ref name=ChatSusp-3> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

TeleconferencingEdit

DialTalk (briefly "TeleTalk"), a teleconferencing service, opened in 1988. A user could hold live conferences or discussions with up to sixty-three other users in one of 30 "rooms", and convene breakaway or private meetings in other vacant rooms.<ref name=NewLook />Template:Rp

Downloadable softwareEdit

In return for a fee or royalties, Micronet 800 encouraged individuals, amateur computer groups and software companies to supply programs that could be stored on Micronet's 800 telesoftware database and downloaded by subscribers.<ref name=SincUser-43> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Originally, about half of the programs were free, with the rest available at discounts of around 15% or more.<ref name=NewLook> Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Rp In early 1989, however, Micronet abandoned paid-for telesoftware and began supplying programs free of charge via a Prestel gateway.<ref name=TsoftGateway-1> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Microcomputers for which programs were made available included the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, IBM PC, and Spectrum.<ref name=TsoftGatewat-2> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

When Micronet 800 launched in 1983, providers of programs on Prestel were using a protocol drawn up by the UK's Council for Educational Technology (CET)<ref name=TelesoftCET-Sept1981> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=CETformatFeb1982> Template:Cite document Note: this document was superseded by {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> after consulting British Telecom, microcomputer manufacturers, users, and educational software agencies.<ref name=PractComp-1981-10> Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Refn In early 1991, Micronet issued FCET, a revised version of the CET format, that much decreased download times.<ref name=AcornUser-1991-08> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Micro Arts, creators of computer art in text and graphic form,<ref name=MicroArts> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> published articles and downloadable programs on Micronet 800 from 1985 onwards.<ref name=MicroArtsPCW> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

GamesEdit

The longest-running online game on Micronet 800 was Starnet, a turn-based game, with players sending in movesTemplate:Refn that would be executed once a day.<ref name=Starnet> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Micronet 800 also hosted Shades, one of the first real-time multiplayer games.<ref name=Shades> Template:Cite magazine Template:Cite magazine Retrieved 16 March 2025Template:Sndvia Internet Archive. </ref> Other multiplayer games offered included The Round Britain Yacht Race,<ref name=YachtRace> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Trash ("The game puts you in the role of a pan-dimensional dustman"), and Casino, which featured simulations of slot machines and games such as roulette, blackjack, keno, baccarat, and poker.<ref name=TrashCasino> Janda, David (June 1990). "A pile of trash" and "Dynamic flutter". Acorn User. No. 95. p. 17. Retrieved 23 March 2025Template:Sndvia Internet Archive.</ref>

EmailEdit

Each Prestel user had a unique Mailbox numberTemplate:Sndusually derived from the last nine digits of their phone numberTemplate:Sndthat was used to address and send messages to others on Prestel. Reportedly, Micronet 800 subscribers were particularly enthusiastic about the medium, sending twice as many Mailbox messages as regular Prestel users.<ref name=SincUser-37> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 1984, Mailbox was connected to the telex system via Prestel's Telex Link: telexes could be sent and received like standard messages.<ref name=Handbook1987> Template:Cite book</ref> From mid-1987, Micronet's "Interlink" facility offered subscribers direct access to the Telecom Gold email, chat, and information service.<ref name=Interlink-1> Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=InterLink-2> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

MagazinesEdit

Micronet created separate online magazinesTemplate:Snd"micromags"Template:Snd for owners of a range of popular home computers,Template:Refn adapting its offering according to levels of ownership of particular models<ref name=STmag>For example, see: Template:Cite magazine</ref> and market developments.<ref name=NewLook />Template:Rp

Bizznet, the first non-microcomputer section in Micronet's database, launched in 1986 with guidance for small businesses on accounting, law, tax, insurance, and finance.<ref name=Bizznet-1> Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1988, it was renamed Money Xtra<ref name=Bizznet-2> Template:Cite magazine</ref> and refocused on personal finance,<ref name=Bizznet-3> Template:Cite magazine</ref> providing consumer, financial, and tax advice, together with a legal advisory service.<ref name=Bizznet-4> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Xtra!, described as a leisure magazine, also began in 1986, and contained music reviews, analysis of current affairs, restaurant and bar reviews, and letters from users.<ref name=Xtra> Template:Cite magazine</ref> Separate sections covered TV and radio (Waveguide),<ref name=Waveguide> Template:Cite magazine</ref> and consumer electronics (Voltage).

Computers, music, and MIDI-music were the subject of MidiSpot,<ref name=MidiSpot> Template:Cite magazine</ref> which incorporated Micronet's earlier Music City magazine, launched in 1988.<ref name=MusicCity> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

GalleryEdit

This was an area of the database where, for a fee, users could rent pages and publish anything they wished, subject to monitoring by Micronet for instances of libel or obscenity.<ref name=LogOn7> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

PersonnelEdit

Management: Richard Hease (co-founder 1982Template:Ndash1983)<ref name=Times-Sept82 />Template:SndBob Denton (co-founder 1982Template:Ndash1983)<ref name=Times-Sept82 />Template:SndTim Schoonmaker (managing director 1983Template:Ndash1986)<ref name=franchise />Template:SndTom Baird (managing director 1987)<ref name=Interlink-1 />Template:SndJohn Tomany (managing director 1988Template:Ndash1990)<ref name=Relaunch-1 />Template:SndMichael Weatherseed (general manager 1990Template:Ndash1991)Template:Fact

Editors: David Babsky (founding editor)<ref name=SincUser-32 />Template:SndSimon D'Arcy (later, publisher)<ref name=mnet86>

{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:SndSid Smith<ref name=mnet86 />Template:SndFrancis Jago (managing editor)<ref name=Relaunch-1 />Template:SndPaul Needs<ref name=Directory-eg />Template:Rp Template:SndIan Burley<ref name=Directory-eg />Template:Rp Template:Snd Barbara Conway

Other editorial staff: Ken Young (journalist)Template:SndAdam Denning (technical editor)Template:SndDavid Rosenbaum (news and music editor)<ref name=Bizznet-3 />Template:SndChris Bourne (Sunday Xtra editor)Template:Snd Paul Vigay (Acorn editor)<ref name=Directory-eg />Template:Rp Template:SndChris Lewis (Sinclair editor)Template:Snd Rupert Goodwins (editorial assistant)Template:Snd Afshin Rattansi (music and arts journalist)Template:SndDavid Farmbrough (music journalist)Template:Fact

Production: Robin Wilkinson (software manager)<ref name=PCW-1983-07 />Template:Rp Template:SndVal Burgess (telesoftware database manager)Template:SndMike Brown (technical manager)<ref name=PCW-1983-07 />Template:Rp Template:SndRichard Tyner (software sales and acquisition)Template:SndJohn Mason (software testing and pricing)Template:SndJohn Prout (technical helpdesk)Template:SndDenise Shemuel (editorial database manager)Template:SndColin MorganTemplate:SndRoger CracknellTemplate:SndGary SmithTemplate:SndRobert O'DonnellTemplate:SndPatrick ReillyTemplate:SndDaemonn Brody<ref name=Directory-eg />Template:Rp Template:SndDenise Slater (graphics designer, telesoftware pages)Template:SndAnna Smith (editorial graphics designer)Template:SndSharon GilesTemplate:Fact

Marketing: Ian Rock (marketing manager)<ref name=YachtRace />Template:SndPeter Probert (public relations manager)<ref name=mnet86 /> Template:SndPhil Godsell (product manager)<ref name=SincUser-43 />Template:SndLynne Thomas (promotions manager)<ref name=LT>

Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:SndClaire Walker (advertising and public relations executive)<ref name=ChatLaunch />Template:SndLynne Bennett (marketing executive)Template:Fact

Other contributors: Steve Gold Template:Snd Robert Schifreen Template:SndDavid JandaTemplate:Fact Template:SndRichard Poynder, Bizznet editor<ref name=LogOn9 />

In the run-up to Micronet 800's launch in March 1983, staff worked out of EMAP's offices in Hatton Garden in London.<ref name=SincUser-1982-12> Template:Cite magazine [coupon text]. Retrieved 14 March 2025 Template:Sndvia Internet Archive.</ref> Subsequently, editorial staff were based in London's Clerkenwell.<ref name=SincUser-1983-11> Template:Cite magazine Note: staff later moved to 8 Herbal Hill in the same area.</ref> Technical staff were first based in Peterborough.<ref name=SincUser-1983-07> Template:Cite magazine</ref>

QuotesEdit

"The thing that inspired me most was looking at the Gutenberg Bible, the first book to be printed using moveable type. Micronet is to communication in the 80s what that Bible was to the Middle Ages."Template:SndDavid Babsky (1984), Micronet 800 founding editor.<ref name=SincUser-32> Template:Cite magazine</ref>Template:Rp

"Long term, I see being able to program your computer with various names of journalists you particularly like, various sports that you have a habit of looking at, and being able to program your computer at 4 o'clock or 5 o'clock in the morning to log on to Prestel Micronet and then download very rapidly information which will then be printed out. So instead of sitting on the train in the morning with your Times, Guardian, Telegraph, or whatever, you will have a printout with all your favourite journalists, your sports pages, cartoons ... you can make up your own newspaper."Template:SndSimon D'Arcy (1986), Micronet 800 publisher.<ref name=D'ArcyQuote-1986> Template:Cite episode This is a segment from season 2, episode 15: "Long-Distance Information", first aired on 14 February 1986. The interviewer is Andrew Neil.</ref>

NotesEdit

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ReferencesEdit