Hollywood is a utility that creates a multi-pane console for computers, designed for a dramatic effect. Created in 2014, it’s featured on NBC News, CNBC, Saturday Night Live, and more. It can be run on Ubuntu, Debian, or Docker, and its source code is available on GitHub.
Hollywood.computer Read More »
Computers can’t be accountable; thus, they shouldn’t make management decisions. A 1979 IBM training document highlights this, but its source is lost; attempts to locate it have been unsuccessful.
https://simonwillison.net/2025/Feb/3/a-computer-can-never-be-held-accountable/
A Computer Can Never Be Held Accountable Read More »
“Mainframe” originated from the physical frames of early computers like the IBM 701 (1952). Initially, it referred to the main part of a computer, later evolving to denote a large, powerful computer for transactions. The term’s meaning shifted in the 1970s to differentiate from minicomputers, and definitions transitioned in dictionaries over the decades. IBM was hesitant to use “mainframe” as a marketing term until the mid-1980s, after which the usage surged, peaking in the 1990s before declining. Despite predictions of obsolescence, mainframes persist today, and their terminology continues to evolve.
https://www.righto.com/2025/02/origin-of-mainframe-term.html
The Origin and Unexpected Evolution of the Word “mainframe” Read More »
TLDR: Screen savers, initially designed to prevent screen burn-in, evolved from simple dimming functions to whimsical animations, like flying toasters, in the 90s. While their cultural significance has declined, their legacy continues in modern technology, often without need for the graphics they once showcased. Today, devices like smartphones utilize simpler forms of screen management, reflecting a shift away from the classic screen saver concept.
Screen Saver History: Why Boring Black Screens Won Out Read More »
Fully documented 6502 source code for Elite (1984) online, covering BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64, Apple II, and NES. Includes original code, deep dives, hacks, and options to play or explore. GitHub repositories available for building source code versions. Educational site aims to appreciate the game’s legacy.
The Sims’ enduring popularity (25 years) stems from its unique blend of relatable, exaggerated life simulation, inclusive gameplay, and player-driven narratives. Initially launched in 2000, the game evolves through its updates, now boasting 85 million players post-transition to free-to-play. Its design encourages personal storytelling while avoiding strict definitions, allowing players to engage in diverse relationships and story arcs without labels. The franchise has adapted to make failure more forgiving, emphasizing emotional connection rather than survival, solidifying its appeal in a dehumanizing digital landscape.
Why The Sims Is Still so Popular, 25 Years Later Read More »
VGHF Library: Non-profit dedicated to video game history; offers collections of development materials, magazines, and artwork. Ongoing catalog updates; access digital archive.
Video Game History Foundation Library Read More »
For those yearning to revisit the early days of the web, TheOldNet offers a delightful blast from the past. This site is a retro web portal, letting vintage computers connect to archived versions of old web pages.
TheOldNet aims to “restore vintage web browsing on vintage computers” by providing network access to outdated software systems. It uses the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to retrieve cached versions of websites, then runs these pages through a proxy that strips out incompatible code.
This makes it possible to load old sites properly on aging browsers like Mosaic, Netscape, and Internet Explorer, which modern web technology has left behind. It’s like surfing the internet as it existed over 20 years ago!
In addition to the old web access, TheOldNet has an active community creating tools for retro computing hobbyists. There’s a serial WiFi modem to connect old hardware to wireless networks and a mobile app for when you’re away from your vintage battlestations.
TheOldNet also has an active YouTube channel and social media presence where fans can share nostalgic web finds. It’s lovely to see such dedication to preserving old digital experiences.
What I love about TheOldNet is how it provides a portal into pivotal moments in internet history. We can revisit old sites as they existed during the dot com era, the rise of blogging, the birth of social networks, and other digital milestones. It’s a wayback machine surfing through decades of web evolution.
So next time you feel internet nostalgia, fire up TheOldNet on that old Pentium rig in your basement. I guarantee you’ll uncover some long-lost retro web gems. Just don’t get stuck in the past for too long – there’s always more history being made!
Surfing the Wayback Machine at TheOldNet Read More »
OoCities is a remarkable archive preserving websites from the beloved GeoCities community before it shut down in 2009. GeoCities was one of the first free web hosting services that allowed everyday internet users to create homepages easily.
GeoCities had over 38 million members at its peak and was the 3rd most visited site. It pioneered the concept of grouping pages into “neighborhoods” or themes like Hollywood, SiliconValley, EnchantedForest, etc. This fueled the growth of fan sites, small business pages, personal blogs, and creative experiments.
While GeoCities closed over a decade ago, OoCities allows us to revisit this unique online community. As their site explains:
“In October 2009 we archived our olden cities of the web: The unique pages on “GeoCities.com” just before they were taken down. Our aim is to save those pages which are worthy and unique…or just representing the 90’s website culture and style.”
The OoCities archive contains over a million sites. You can browse highlights, popular searches, and editorial picks, but I recommend diving into specific neighborhoods like Colosseum for sports or SiliconValley to unearth computing history.
Some personal favorites I’ve found:
Part of the magic is never knowing what you might discover next. Each site is a little piece of internet history.
What I love about OoCities is how it celebrates the quirky creativity and community of the early Internet days. We can look back with amusement at the garish color schemes, blink tags, and under-construction gifs. Still, these pages represent a pivotal moment when ordinary people started expressing themselves online.
OoCities preserve this history so future generations can explore the early internet culture. It’s more than just saving old sites – it’s about the people and communities behind them.
So next time you feel internet nostalgia, fire up OoCities and rediscover the web’s old neighborhoods. Treasures are hidden down every virtual street.
Revisiting the GeoCities Community on OoCities Read More »
Old’aVista is a fantastic portal into the past, allowing us to revisit classic personal websites from the early days of the Internet. As the site’s tagline says, it helps us “find the web pages you thought were gone forever.”
The site features an extensive index of sites once hosted on services like Geocities, Angelfire, Xoom, and others during the 1990s and early 2000s. It brings back the whimsical creativity and DIY ethos of that early internet era.
The data behind Old’aVista was compiled by scraping archived pages from the Internet Archive. Broken links were discarded to ensure only functioning sites remained in the index. The design pays homage to the old Altavista search engine from 1999, but Old’aVista is its unique creation focused solely on finding nostalgic personal sites.
Some of my favorite parts of Old’aVista include:
I love that Old’aVista and sites like it preserve this history of early internet culture. It’s not just about the sites themselves but about the creativity and community they represent. Be sure to explore all Old’aVista has to offer!
Let me know in the comments if you discover any favorites from your past internet wanderings. Happy searching!
Exploring the Treasures of Old’aVista Read More »
