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retroweb:about [2020-10-16 16:03]
omolini
retroweb:about [2021-03-05 05:01] (current)
omolini
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 | [[:​retroweb|Main]] | >>​**[[:​retroweb:​about|About]]**<<​ | [[:​retroweb:​features|Features]] | [[:​retroweb:​screenshots|Screenshots]] | [[:​retroweb:​getting started|Getting Started]] | [[:​retroweb:​wiki|Wiki]] | [[:​retroweb:​Team]] |  | [[:​retroweb|Main]] | >>​**[[:​retroweb:​about|About]]**<<​ | [[:​retroweb:​features|Features]] | [[:​retroweb:​screenshots|Screenshots]] | [[:​retroweb:​getting started|Getting Started]] | [[:​retroweb:​wiki|Wiki]] | [[:​retroweb:​Team]] | 
  
-====== About Retroweb ​======+<WRAP center round info 60%> 
 +==== Protoweb now has a new website! ==== 
 +Check out our new website at www.protoweb.org.  
 + 
 +These pages are left for archive purposes only. 
 +</​WRAP>​ 
 + 
 +====== About ProtoWeb ​====== 
 {{ :​retroweb:​scn-w95-internet-setup.png?​nolink |}} {{ :​retroweb:​scn-w95-internet-setup.png?​nolink |}}
  
-There is a growing interest in computing history, computer networking and how it all came to be. In early 2000's we began observing an increase in web sites going extinct. We didn'​t ​want to see an important part of our culture disappear, so around 2011 a project was started ​to preserve ​the web sites that were disappearing. At first we focused on archiving sites, but soon after, we began building a comprehensive service ​around these archived web sites, in which they be easily be browsed and searched, as if they were still online. Over the years we've placed a special emphasis on preserving the look and feel of the early Internet experience as close as possible. For the scope of the project, mid-to-late 1990'​s ​was chosen. There are several ​other reasons this timeline was chosen.+There is a growing interest in computing history, computer networking and how it all came to be. In early 2000's we began observing an increase in old web sites going extinct. We did not want an important part of our culture disappear, so around 2011 a long term project was started ​with the goal of preserving these web sites. At first we focused ​purely ​on archiving ​web sites, but later began building a comprehensive service ​that allowed access to this this newly found content 
 + 
 +For the scope of the project, ​we chose to preserve web sites mostly from around ​mid-to-late 1990'​s. There are several reasons this timeline was chosen:
  
   - Internet experienced a strong global expansion around this time, with half the population in the US accessing the Internet on a regular basis.   - Internet experienced a strong global expansion around this time, with half the population in the US accessing the Internet on a regular basis.
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   - There are more resources available for purposes of restoration and archival.   - There are more resources available for purposes of restoration and archival.
  
-There are some aspects our service differs from other web archival ​sites such as the Wayback Machine at [[http://​www.archive.org/​|archive.org]].  +Our service differs from other web archival ​projects ​such as Internet Archive'​s ​Wayback Machine at [[http://​www.archive.org/​|archive.org]] ​in some key aspects.  
-  - The web sites are restored to be completely functional. ​Broken links and images are fixedand manual work is put using several sources to restore full functionality. For this reason, the service can be used as reference ​material in studies of the history ​of Internet, ​and in interactive computing museum exhibits ​etc+  - We're focused on recreating the 1990's Internet user experience as an online interactive museum
-  - The web sites are browseable ​with original period correct hardware. +  - The web sites are restored ​in an effort ​to make them completely functional. ​Links and images are manually ​fixed and several sources ​are combined ​to form a historically accurate representation. For this reason, the service can be utilized ​as reference ​to study the formation ​of the World Wide Web and can be used in interactive computing museum exhibits ​and personal hobbyist projects
-  - Several protocols (including ​HTTP and FTPare supportedand more are added over time+  - The web sites are browsable ​with original period correct hardware. 
-  - Dynamic website content, such as web searches are supported. +  - HTTP and FTP sites are supported and more are being added. 
-  - File downloads ​are restored.+  - Dynamic website content, such as web searches, website visitor counters, web rings are supported ​and more support being added
 +  - Historical archives ​are scoured to restore file download links, including software drivers, applications and games. 
 + 
 +The project'​s aim is to emulate the look and feel of the early Internet and keep preserved content historically accurate to provide a guide for future generations. We prioritize the accessibility of our service, and put a lot of effort in making the website appear as if they were still online, including work put into restoring dynamic content (website counters, search engines, web rings, guest books...)
  
-The project'​s aim is to preserve the user experience of visiting web sites historically accurate, and provide a guide for future generations. ​It is a service that can be freely used by computing history organizations for purposes of demonstrating the early Internet, and by vintage computer enthusiasts. It allows users and interested parties to browse the Internet with classic web browsers, and experience the early Internet as it was in it's early iteration. That is the essence of Retroweb, and the service is developing, as more web sites are brought online thanks to the Internet history enthusiasts who are working hard to contribute content and fix broken links.+It is a service that can be utilized ​by computing history organizations for purposes of demonstrating the early World Wide Web, and by vintage computer enthusiasts. It allows users and interested parties to browse the Internet with classic web browsers. That is the essence of ProtoWeb, and the service is developing, as more web sites are brought online thanks to the Internet history enthusiasts who are working hard to contribute content and fix broken links.
  
 {{ :​guides:​pics:​netscape-navigator-4-0-header-2.png?​nolink |}} {{ :​guides:​pics:​netscape-navigator-4-0-header-2.png?​nolink |}}
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 ===== Quality over Quantity ===== ===== Quality over Quantity =====
  
-RETROWEB ​was never meant to be an extensive ​archive. It's purpose is mainly to focus on accuracy of the user experience and present the archived content as it was. Over time the the archive ​has grown as we've reconstructed ​and recovered ​files from a plethora of sources, and we've worked ​tirelessly to restore website functionality including dynamic content such as search engines, guest books and visitor counters. Emphasis has also been given to finding and restoring rare downloads, and they have been made available along with the pages that link to them. FTP sites that no longer exist are made available through the service and are free to use.+ProtoWeb ​was never meant to be an all-encompassing ​archive ​of data. It's purpose is mainly to focus on accuracy of the user experience and present the archived content as close as possible to original to the end user. Over time the list of accessible websites ​has grown as our volunteer team reconstructs ​and recovers ​files from a plethora of sources, and we're working ​tirelessly to restore ​full website functionality including dynamic content such as search engines, guest books, web rings, ​visitor counters ​and much more. Emphasis has also been given to finding and restoring rare downloads, and they have been made available along with the pages that link to them. FTP sites that no longer exist are made available through the service and all resources on ProtoWeb ​are free to use.
  
-===== A Team Effort ​Preserving ​The Past =====+===== A Team Effort ​To Preserve ​The Past =====
  
-The project is no minor undertaking,​ however ​the Retroweb team remain committed to restoring ​old web sites back to their former glory. The project would not be possible without our contributor'help. If you have web sites to contribute, classic resources, data archives, or would like to become a contributor working on restoring ​websites, please contact us! We are truly thankful for your help.+The project is no minor undertaking,​ however ​at ProtoWeb, we remain committed to our work in restoring ​the classic ​web back to its former glory. The project would not be possible without our volunteers' help. If you have websites ​to contribute, classic resources, data archives, or are eager to help us restore ​websites, please contact us! We appreciate the help of our fellow digital curators.
  
  
retroweb/about.1602864180.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020-10-16 16:03 by omolini