However, it was always saddled with its initial business justification: a means to generate extra revenue from unused computer and network capacity outside the mainstream business use load times. This made the service appear largely costless from a computer and network resource accounting view and was the basis of the ongoing refusal by management to lease additional mainframes to support the service when it became popular. This choked developments GEnie could have made, but didn't dare deploy at the risk of becoming even more "too successful."
The service was initially justified by its revenue-generating potential from unused computer and network capacity, which was outside of mainstream business use load times. This made the service appear costless from a resource accounting perspective, and it was the reason management refused to lease additional mainframes to support the service when it became popular. This hindered GEnie's development but they were reluctant to deploy new features for fear of becoming even more successful.