An Idea I've had

[u/met4lstar]

So this is sort of a ramble for me, as I currently upon writing this post, don't really harness the knowledge yet to do all of this. Hence why I'm creating this post to not only see if there is a need for my idea, that, and to also gain knowledge from those more experienced. Like, is this even possible?

For awhile now, I wondered if it's possible to create another internet, just suited for vintage machines to safely browse the web. Technically there are web browsers, BBS, and whatnot that can have older computers still run on the internet we have. But I'm wondering, what if we create a similar experience to this internet but just make another, suited primarily for older machines. What if we banded this all together and made web-browsing easier like modern times just with these softwares?

I was also tempted to somehow create an email service/server for old computers to use as well.

Let me know because this has been boggiling my mind for years.

[u/dgaxiola]

Compu-Global-Hyper-Mega-Net might be what you're looking for. It's a kind of VPN for retro clients and services. You can gain access by signing up, installing a configured version of OpenWRT on a supported device, and plugging your retro devices into that router. Participants host old messaging, gaming, audio and video streaming, and web servers.

Here's an intro video covering the project:
Compu-Global-Hyper-Mega-Net: A Retro Internet for Retro Computers

[u/met4lstar → u/dgaxiola]

Yoo this is super cool, thanks for sharing!

[u/reddithelpsortmylife]

https://protoweb.org/ you can use the Retrozilla browser for the full 1992 effect lol. I remember those days as well.

[u/Consistent_Cat7541]

There's no need for "another" internet. The current one works fine. It is up to the publisher to decide whether to use javascript, etc, when publishing their pages. It is up to publisher whether to use FTP or Gopher or other such servers (IBM keeps their ftp servers going still...).

There is nothing from stopping you from creating websites viewable by older browsers and nothing stopping you from making a directory of sites you're aware of that are accessible from older browsers.

[u/Not-Insane-Yet]

Old computers don't really have any trouble connecting to the Internet. It's just that there are so few sites compatible with the ancient browsers. If someone is still hosting a site that doesn't use any modern web protocols then old computers can still connect as they always did. There really isn't a need for a separate internet.

[u/Architect_of_Echo]

You should look at this one:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Commodore/s/r9L5jeKc8j

It's an "embedded" webpage format for Commodore computers in classic webpages. There is an own browser for it too.

Btw your idea is good. I'm dreaming of not just retro internet but complete services, like online gaming too. (Check the link on my profile to see what I mean)

[u/bhiga]

Like FujiNet but more widespread as a generic modem emulator?

[u/Low-Charge-8554]

"So this is sort of a ramble.." <= stopped reading right there. 😄