Pre-internet Collaboration

The connectivity afforded by this new medium suggested some wonderful potential for interaction well beyond simple email. Indeed, ahead lay the promise of new virtual worlds. I reflected upon some earlier attempts.
In the mid-eighties, I’d used the Dialog service at work. It was basically a grouping of databases with strict search terms, good for research but having no interactivity with another person. Same with Lexis/Nexis as these research databases became more popular.
In the winter of 1989 I was in my half-basement in San Mateo, where I’d set up my IBM PC with a 1200 baud modem. I tried on-line banking with the B of A. Calling into their number was the slowest, most tedious experience I’d ever had on my computer. The real irony is that they wanted to charge me eight bucks a month to waste my time. Forget that!
I’d also come across an on-line game site that fascinated me. I logged on. Someone from the aether invited me to play a version of Battleship. I said yes, hoping I’d learn how to play along the way. Instead I kept losing ships, rapidly. What piqued my curiosity was the commentary with my opponent. Somebody was out there, and more than one!
“Hi. What’s going on?” asked an invisible voice on-screen.
“We’re playing Battleship II. Jim’s having a little trouble,” replied another textual voice. There went another ship.
People were out there, talking about me, talking with me. Where were they? Nearby on the Peninsula, or southern California? They could be out of the country, anywhere. And here I was in my little basement, talking to them at eleven o’clock on a Tuesday evening.