The evolution of online home information systems, the nature and function of such systems, and their potential for wide-scale use are discussed in detail. Different types of home information systems, including one- and two-way interactive television, are described, and the unique technological features of the teletext, viewdata, and videotext systems are reviewed. The state-of-the-art of each of these types of systems is outlined. A number of experimental commercial systems, among these Warner Amex's QUBE, AT&T's Viewtron, and CompuServes's Micronet, are briefly discussed. Some of the barriers to the immediate growth of interactive video-based information systems are mentioned, and the issues of control over the flow of information and preserving individual privacy are addressed. A table listing terms commonly used in the discussion of video-based information systems and two figures supplement the text. A 56-item bibliography is also provided. (JL)