1988. Got my first modem. Used to have to go over telephone
   lines. Ugh. Joined "PC-Link", a multiuser online thing that had
   chatrooms, filesharing, instant messages, discussion groups.
   Social network. Actually a lot like Facebook but no pictures or
   videos... or ads. No ads back then. But... you paid for it. Per
   minute. (because it was phonelines - not broadband). It was
   worth it though. Talked to thousands of people through there,
   beta tested Neverwinter Nights on there - first multiplayer
   graphical game... it was cool :) "