The Internet Archive: Wayback Machine
Do you remember Rocky & Bullwinkle? If you do then you’ll remember the “Wayback Machine”. That was one of my favorite parts of the Rocky & Bullwinkle show – along with “Fractured Fairy Tales”.
If you’ve been on and around the Web for as long as we have, then you too have seen tremendous changes to the way the Web looks and works. Back in the mid-90’s when we first laid eyes on the Internet, it was a far different place than it is today. Back then if someone asked what you did last night and you said “I surfed the web” – you were labeled a geek, a kook, or worse. The Internet was and oddity. And back then I don’t think even Darcy & I, who both loved the Internet the minute we first as we laid eyes on it, ever thought it would develop into what is has today. The Internet grew from and oddity to a necessity in less than twenty-five years.
For those of you, like us, who sometimes find themselves longing for the good old days of the web, there’s a website that can transport you back in time – back to the days when the web was a simpler place – a place where almost everything was free and the term “web designer” was used to describe spiders – the kind with eight legs.
Let’s go back 15 years and look at Cloudeight Stationery. Back in those days, our site was ranked in the top 1000 most popular sites. Here is what Cloudeight Stationery looked like on June 2, 2004.
Cloudeight Stationery – 2004
If you go back farther than that you’ll get the “Netscape version” of our site no matter what browser you use. Back in those days, only Internet Explorer rendered our site and stationery correctly – but that was OK then, over 95% of everyone using Windows and browsing the Internet usd Internet Explorer – there was no Firefox or Chrome.
How about Microsoft circa 1998?
Microsoft circa 1998
Or Amazon in 1999?
Amazon 1999
How about Yahoo?
Yahoo in 2000
And one of my favorite sites of all time – unfortunately long gone from the Web: DaveCentral.com – The first thing I’d do every morning is get up, go to DaveCentral and download all the new freeware he recommended for the day. Darcy used to laugh at the stuff I’d put on my computer. I ran into problems being so aggressive and installing new programs so prolifically, but I also discovered some really great programs by trying all of Dave’s recommendations. RIP DaveCentral!
DaveCentral.com 1999
Do have favorite sites that have faded away or sites that you once loved that have changed for the worse? Are you just curious about what the Web used to look like way back when?
Our site pick today The Internet Archive: Wayback Machine has over 360 BILLION web pages archived and ready for your perusal.
Are you ready to hop in the Internet time machine and go back to another place and time? If you are, click here to visit The Internet Archive:Wayback Machine ….
Have fun!
Hi TC & EB,
Way back 2004, hooley dooley, way, way back to the first days of Cloudeight, and I know was and what I was doing.
Acpressions were great and one I read many times, with lovely music was:-
Desiderata
GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
By Max Ehrmann © 1927
Original text
I will never forget Cloudeight, Cloudie, EB and TC, pages slowly loading with the Dial-Up method of connecting to the Internet, and now, at the click on a link, a blink of the eyes, the ‘wonderful world of Cloudeight.
Kindest Regards,
From a long-time permanent passenger on Cloudie, – a truly Magic Dragon, more so than Puff with Jackie Paper.
Oops, typo, “first days of Cloudeight, and I know where I was and what I was doing when I saw the Cloudeight site.
:-#
Dial-up. ha-ha-ha . . . great memories here. Thanks for reminding me!
I remember when I just used “boards.”
One of my favorite things from Way Back, was communicating with my brother on the opposite side of the country, using ICQ. On dial-up, no less!
I love going to the Wayback Machine site looking around and I have added sites to it. I hope this stays protected for the future.