Q-Link was an online service that ran from 1985 -1994. It was operated by Quantum Computer Services, which is now AOL.  In fact, the earliest AOL diskettes show Quantum Computer Services as the parent company, with America Online as a registered service mark. Q-Link was for Commodore computer users; AOL didn't run on the Commodore's GEOS operating system (although AOL for MS-DOS did). Quantum marketed Q-Link as aggressively as it marketed  its AOL service. Diskettes were included with Commodore modems, and offers for cheap modems were included with Commodore computers. Here an offer for a 300 baud modem for $29.95 is shown.

In the early 1990's, the Mac and PC gained market share among home users, which is part of the reason Commodore shut down. Q-Link was closed down shortly after; details can be read in the letter from Steve Case. Q-Linkers were invited to join AOL, the newer online service that Quantum had formed. However, since AOL software wasn't compatible with the Commodore, Q-Linkers had to buy a Mac or PC.

Here are two of the four Q-Link versions. These 5.25" floppies are two-sided;  you actually removed, then flipped them over in the disk drive to read!

Apple Link, PC Link, eWorld and Promenade were other online services run by Quantum. GeoWorks Ensemble was a product made by Berkely Software and was used by AOL for its DOS front end. Visit here for more information.