If you were the manufacturer of what looks to be a huge-selling desk-top computer with a standard RS232 interface and a modem in the pipeline your thoughts may well turn to the possibility of offering your own database service along the lines of the Prestel-based Micronet.

If you were running a 'QLUB' which promised its members a continuing service of software updates, information and first shots at future mail-order products it may begin to make even more sense.

The software updates could be downloaded, a service could be offered to sell commercial software (on a commission basis perhaps), and users could be kept in touch with each other and the company in question. As this computer product is slated primarily as a business desk-top tool, it could undoubtedly be enhanced by a service with mail-box and Telex facilities.

The manufacturer in question is Sinclair Research. Though the company hasn't expressed any plans for such a service, the launch of the QL seems to provide exactly the right recipe.

According to a Sinclair spokesman there are no plans at present though this doesn't rule out future developments in the future. There has already been some contention over the specifications for Sinclair's serial interface - in its native state it is incapable of simultaneous send/receive operations, a prerequisite if the interface is to be used in conjunction with a modem for accessing Prestel which uses a full-duplex mode. Under this system the receiving machine automatically 'echoes' characters back to the host as an error check.

Sinclair states that the modem it is currently developing for the machine will be capable of handling full-duplex to overcome this problem.

One of the problems with the Prestel standard is the slow send speed. However, if Sinclair decided to launch its own facility it would be well-placed to choose a different standard with better facilities. Prestel's 75 baud send could be described as a paint-watching routine - it is also very expensive in telephone time.

If Sinclair isn't thinking in these terms, somebody else should be. It seems fairly certain that many QLs will be sold over the next couple of years - enough to present a golden opportunity for the next (and widely predicted) big computer development - effective micro communication.

Given Sir Clive's rather eclectic approach to high technology, it seems at least a possibility - keep watching this space.