

11. (Ch 3.1) CompuServe, Prodigy, AOL and the Early Online Services
41 snips Apr 3, 2014
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Microsoft's Gamble
- Microsoft partnered with AOL, giving Internet Explorer prime desktop real estate.
- This deal, while beneficial for IE, potentially hampered MSN's growth.
CompuServe's Origins
- CompuServe, the first major online service, launched in 1969 as a business tool.
- It later pivoted to consumers, offering features like news feeds, chat, and forums.
Prodigy's Approach
- Prodigy, unlike CompuServe, targeted mainstream users with rudimentary graphics and big-name content partners.
- Its focus on advertising and limited user interaction ultimately hampered its success.