Microtex 666

{{Short description|Australian videotex system}}

{{Infobox online service

| name = Microtex 666

| title = Microtex 666

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| developer = Telecom Australia, Sean Howard

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| type = Videotex

| launched = 1986

| discontinued = 1989

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| platform = Prestel based

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| status = Discontinued

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Microtex 666 was an Australian Prestel-based videotex system that operated from 1986 to 1989.

The service was accessed through a text based dialup service from Telecom Australia known as Viatel.{{cite book |last1=Kuo |first1=Eddie|last2=Ho |first2=Kong-Chong |year=1995 |title=Videotex Development in the Asia-Pacific: Policy, Marketing, and Implications |publisher=Asian Mass Communication Research and Information Centre |page=148 |isbn=9789971905583}}

Microtex 666 was dedicated to microcomputer enthusiasts and included a large telesoftware download library, a semi-realtime online chat, and a 1,000-user massively multiuser game known as the Great Galactic Conflict.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

It was owned and founded by Sean Howard, and promoted through Australian Personal Computer magazine.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

For much of its existence, Microtex 666 was externally managed by Scott Sanderson at Information Solutions, which also sold a package consisting of modem plus software, since few people owned modems at that time.{{cite web|url=https://the-eye.eu/public/Books/retrowith.in/Australian%20Commodore%20Review/acar-feb86.pdf|title=Australian Commodore Review 1986 edition featuring Microtex 666 and Information Solutions}}

Microtex 666 was eventually purchased by Telecom. Howard went on to found OzEmail, Australia's largest ISP.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}