2.2 Videotex
The second type of digital journalism was also created in Great Britain, this time the developer was the British Telecom – a research laboratory operated by the General Post Office. This time it hit the spot even harder than its predecessor, teletext. Even until now videotex is referred to as “the forerunner of all today’s interactive, online systems (Carlson, p. 35). The world’s first such system was called Prestel.
Videotex can be described as “interactive, computer-based system that electronically delivers text, numbers, and graphics for display on a television set, video monitor, or personal computer. The data travels over telephone lines, two-way cable, computer networks, wireless data networks, or any combination of the four” (Carlson, p.35). The World Wide Web is a version of videotex. The system is interactive, as a two-way communication is supported. For example, sending e-mails was possible when using videotex.
The possibilities offered by Prestel were predicted to be so vast, that newspapers throughout the UK were lining up to deliver their data via the system. The Financial Times, Post and Echo (now Liverpool Daily Post and Liverpool Echo), Eastern Counties Newspapers (now known as Archant) were among the first to offer their content via Prestel in 1978.
Eventually over 1.000 independent information providers were delivering their data through Prestel. On top of the “obvious” stock exchanges, train timetables, sports, also the British Consumers’ Association or the government Meteorological Office were available online. Those using Prestel could even shop electronically.
Despite having put the hopes up high, the system reached a mediocre popularity and has never attracted nearly as many users as teletext had. This was caused mainly by the fact that the content of the offer was somewhat similar amongst the two, while the cost of videotex was significantly higher.
What was more, the users had to buy a separate terminal (Prestel terminal on the picture). The cost of such adapted television set was about three times that of a regular one. Moreover, a monthly fee was charged and the users had to pay extra phone bills, as the terminal was connected to the phone cable. The classic videotex turned out to be a rather miserable failure.
