The service was different from other online services as it used the computing power of the Commodore 64 and the Apple II rather than just a "dumb" terminal.It passed tokens back and forth and provided a fixed price service tailored for home users.In January 2000, AOL and Time Warner announced plans to merge, forming AOL Time Warner, Inc.The terms of the deal called for AOL shareholders to own 55% of the new, combined company. The new company was led by executives from AOL, SBI, and Time Warner.At the height of its popularity, it purchased the media conglomerate Time Warner in the largest merger in U. AOL was eventually spun off from Time Warner in 2009, with Tim Armstrong appointed the new CEO.Under his leadership, the company invested in media brands and advertising technologies.Kimsey soon began to groom Case to take over the role of CEO, which he did when Kimsey retired in 1991.
In August 1988, Quantum launched PC Link, a service for IBM-compatible PCs developed in a joint venture with the Tandy Corporation.
The technical team consisted of Marc Seriff, Tom Ralston, Ray Heinrich, Steve Trus, Ken Huntsman, Janet Hunter, Dave Brown, Craig Dykstra, Doug Coward, and Mike Ficco.
In 1987, Case was promoted again to executive vice-president.
Kimsey was brought in by his West Point friend Frank Caufield, an investor in the company.
On May 24, 1985, Quantum Computer Services, an online services company, was founded by Jim Kimsey from the remnants of Control Video, with Kimsey as Chief Executive Officer, and Marc Seriff as Chief Technology Officer.