Flame is a free and accessible telnet-based Bulletin Board System (BBS) and Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) hosted by the University of Canberra Computer Club. It offers a nostalgic online experience with classic BBS features like forums, file transfers, and games, alongside a MUD environment for text-based roleplaying and exploration. Flame aims to provide a friendly and welcoming community for both experienced users familiar with these older systems and newcomers curious to explore the history of online communities. Users can connect via telnet or through a web-based interface, making it easily accessible.
The dot-com bubble burst was a complex event triggered by a confluence of factors. Overly optimistic speculation, fueled by the rapid growth of the internet and venture capital, drove valuations of internet companies to unsustainable levels, despite many lacking viable business models or proven profitability. This speculative frenzy led to a massive influx of investment in unproven companies, creating an environment ripe for collapse. When the market finally corrected, beginning in March 2000, it triggered a chain reaction. Investors panicked, withdrawing funds, and companies, unable to secure further funding, folded. The crash exposed the fragility of the market, wiping out billions of dollars in market capitalization and leaving many investors and employees with significant losses. While some companies survived and eventually thrived, the burst served as a harsh lesson about the dangers of speculative bubbles and the importance of sound business fundamentals.
HN commenters discuss the lasting impact of the dot-com bubble, with several noting how it laid the groundwork for today's tech giants like Google and Amazon. Some highlight the brutal reality of the bust, emphasizing the significant job losses and the destruction of capital. Others reflect on the speculative frenzy of the time, recalling inflated valuations and questionable business models. One commenter contrasts the bubble with the 2008 financial crisis, arguing the dot-com crash had a more positive long-term impact by clearing the way for genuine innovation. The difficulty of predicting market bubbles is also a recurring theme, with several users acknowledging how easy it is to get caught up in the hype. A few commenters share personal anecdotes from the period, providing firsthand accounts of the boom and subsequent bust.
Lynx, a text-based web browser initially released in 1992, holds the distinction of being the oldest web browser still actively maintained. While its text-only interface might seem antiquated in today's graphical web, Lynx continues to be updated and supported, providing a unique and efficient way to access web content. Its simplicity makes it ideal for users with low bandwidth or accessibility needs, and its focus on text allows for a distraction-free browsing experience. The enduring development of Lynx demonstrates the enduring value of accessible and fundamental browsing technology.
The Hacker News comments discuss Lynx's enduring relevance and unique position as a text-based browser. Several commenters highlight its usefulness for tasks like scripting, accessing websites with complex JavaScript, or simply experiencing the web in a different way. Some appreciate its speed and efficiency, particularly on low-bandwidth connections. Others discuss its accessibility benefits for visually impaired users. A few commenters share their nostalgic memories of using Lynx in the early days of the internet. The discussion also touches on the technical aspects of Lynx's development and maintenance, including its portability and small codebase. A recurring theme is the contrast between Lynx's minimalist approach and the feature-bloated nature of modern browsers.
56k modems' upstream speeds were limited to 33.6kbps due to analog-to-digital conversion at the phone company. However, downloads could reach 56kbps because they leveraged a mostly-digital path from the telco's server to the user's modem. This asymmetry existed because the phone company's infrastructure used digital signals internally, even for analog phone calls. The digital audio was converted to analog only at the last mile, at the user's local central office. This meant a 56k modem downloading data was essentially receiving a slightly-modified digital signal, bypassing much of the analog conversion process and thus achieving higher throughput. Uploads, originating from the analog modem, had to be fully digitized at the central office, resulting in the lower speed.
Several Hacker News commenters pointed out that the article's title is misleading. They clarified that 56k modems didn't rely on digital phone lines in the way the title implies. Instead, they exploited the fact that the trunk lines between central offices were digital, while the "last mile" to the user's home remained analog. This allowed the modem to receive data digitally at the CO's end and convert it to analog for the final leg, maximizing the speed within the constraints of the analog local loop. Some users also shared anecdotal memories of early modem technology and discussed the limitations imposed by analog lines. One commenter noted the importance of echo cancellation in achieving these higher speeds. A few commenters discussed related topics like the technical reasons behind the asymmetry of upload and download speeds and the different standards used for upstream communication.
Digg, the once-popular social news aggregator that faded after a controversial redesign, is attempting a comeback under the leadership of its original founder, Kevin Rose, and co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Focusing on a curated experience and aiming to foster constructive discussions, the revived Digg intends to differentiate itself from the current social media landscape plagued by negativity and misinformation. The platform plans to incorporate elements of Web3, including decentralized governance and tokenized rewards, hoping to attract a new generation of users while appealing to nostalgic early adopters. The relaunch faces an uphill battle in a crowded market, but Rose and Ohanian are betting on their vision of a more thoughtful and community-driven online experience.
HN commenters were largely skeptical of Digg's potential return. Many felt the landscape had changed significantly since Digg's heyday, with Reddit effectively filling its niche and X/Twitter dominating real-time news aggregation. Some attributed Digg's original downfall to a combination of bad decisions, like algorithm changes and a focus on promoted content, that alienated the core user base. A few expressed cautious optimism, hoping for a focus on community and better moderation than seen on current platforms, but the overall sentiment was that Digg faced an uphill battle and a repeat of past mistakes was likely. Some questioned the timing and relevance of a Digg resurgence, suggesting that the internet had moved past the need for such a platform.
Kevin Loch, the creator and maintainer of the popular IP address lookup tools ip4.me and ip6.me, has passed away. His websites provided a simple and reliable way for users to determine their public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, and were widely used and appreciated by the tech community. These services are currently offline, and their future is uncertain. The announcement expresses gratitude for Loch's contribution to the internet and condolences to his family and friends.
The Hacker News comments mourn the passing of Kevin Loch, creator of ip4.me and ip6.me, highlighting the utility and simplicity of his services. Several commenters express gratitude for his contribution to the internet, describing the sites as essential tools they've used for years. Some share personal anecdotes of interacting with Loch, painting him as a helpful and responsive individual. Others discuss the technical aspects of running such services and the potential future of the sites. The overall sentiment reflects appreciation for Loch's work and sadness at his loss.
Olduse.net is a curated collection of abandoned, forgotten, or otherwise defunct websites, preserved as snapshots in time. It functions as a digital museum, showcasing web design trends, technologies, and content from the past. The site offers a glimpse into the early days of the internet and its evolution, highlighting the ephemeral nature of online content and serving as a reminder of how quickly technology and aesthetics change. It's a resource for those interested in web history, design, or simply curious about the internet's past.
HN users largely praised olduse.net for its simplicity, speed, and lack of modern web bloat. Several commenters appreciated its resemblance to early internet aesthetics and functionality, viewing it as a refreshing alternative to overly complex websites. Some pointed out potential uses for such a site, like accessing it on older hardware or low-bandwidth connections. A few users expressed skepticism about its long-term viability or questioned its purpose beyond nostalgia, but the overall sentiment was positive, with many finding its minimalist approach appealing. Several commenters also highlighted the site's creator, Ward Cunningham, and his contributions to the development of wikis.
The Finnish Web Archive has preserved online discussions about Finnish forests, offering valuable insights into public opinion on forest-related topics from 2007 to 2022. These archived discussions, captured from various online platforms including news sites, blogs, and social media, provide a historical record of evolving views on forestry practices, environmental concerns, and the economic and cultural significance of forests in Finland. This preserved material offers researchers a unique opportunity to analyze long-term trends in public discourse surrounding forest management and its impact on Finnish society.
HN commenters largely focused on the value of archiving these discussions for future researchers studying societal attitudes towards forests and environmental issues. Some expressed surprise and delight at the specific focus on forest-related discussions, highlighting the unique relationship Finns have with their forests. A few commenters discussed the technical aspects of web archiving, including the challenges of capturing dynamic content and ensuring long-term accessibility. Others pointed out the potential biases inherent in archived online discussions, emphasizing the importance of considering representativeness when using such data for research. The Finnish government's role in supporting the archive was also noted approvingly.
The blog post "An early social un-network" details the creation and demise of a hyperlocal, anonymous social network called "Dodgeball" in the early 2000s. Unlike friend-based platforms like Friendster, Dodgeball centered around broadcasting one's location via SMS to nearby users, fostering spontaneous real-world interactions. Its simple design and focus on proximity aimed to connect people in the same physical space, facilitating serendipitous meetings and shared experiences. However, its reliance on SMS proved costly and cumbersome, while its anonymity attracted unwanted attention and hindered the formation of meaningful connections. Despite its innovative approach to social networking, Dodgeball ultimately failed to gain widespread traction and was eventually acquired and shut down.
Hacker News users discussed the impracticality of the "social un-network" described in the linked article, particularly its reliance on physical proximity and limitations on content sharing. Some found the idea nostalgic and reminiscent of earlier, smaller online communities like Usenet or BBSs. Others expressed concerns about scalability and the potential for abuse and harassment without robust moderation tools. Several commenters questioned the overall utility of such a system, arguing that existing social networks already address the desire for smaller, more focused communities through features like groups or subreddits. The lack of searchability and portability of conversations was also a recurring criticism. While some appreciated the author's intention to foster deeper connections, the general consensus was that the proposed system was too restrictive and ultimately unworkable in its current form.
The blog post details the author's rediscovery of, and fascination with, the Usenet newsgroup alt.anonymous.messages. This group, designed for anonymous posting before the widespread adoption of anonymizing tools like Tor, relied on a server that stripped identifying headers. The author describes the unique culture that emerged within this space, characterized by stream-of-consciousness posts, personal confessions, emotional outpourings, and cryptic, often nonsensical messages, all contributing to an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The author highlights the historical significance of this group as a precursor to modern anonymous online communication and expresses a sense of nostalgia for this lost digital world.
HN users discuss the now-defunct alt.anonymous.messages Usenet newsgroup, expressing nostalgia and sharing anecdotes. Several commenters reminisce about its unique culture of anonymity and free expression, contrasting it with the more traceable nature of modern internet forums. Some recall the technical challenges of accessing the newsgroup and the prevalence of spam and noise. Others highlight its role as a precursor to later anonymous online spaces, debating its influence and the eventual reasons for its decline. The overall sentiment is one of remembering a bygone era of the internet, marked by a different kind of anonymity and community interaction. A few commenters also mention the difficulty of archiving Usenet content and express interest in exploring any preserved archives of the group.
Elwood Edwards, the voice of the iconic "You've got mail!" AOL notification, is offering personalized voice recordings through Cameo. He records greetings, announcements, and other custom messages, providing a nostalgic touch for fans of the classic internet sound. This allows individuals and businesses to incorporate the familiar and beloved voice into various projects or simply have a personalized message from a piece of internet history.
HN commenters were generally impressed with the technical achievement of Elwood's personalized voice recordings using Edwards' voice. Several pointed out the potential for misuse, particularly in scams and phishing attempts, with some suggesting watermarking or other methods to verify authenticity. The legal and ethical implications of using someone's voice, even with their permission, were also raised, especially regarding future deepfakes and potential damage to reputation. Others discussed the nostalgia factor and potential applications like personalized audiobooks or interactive fiction. There was a small thread about the technical details of the voice cloning process and its limitations, and a few comments recalling Edwards' previous work. Some commenters were more skeptical, viewing it as a clever but ultimately limited gimmick.
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43534480
Hacker News users discuss Flame, a BBS and MUD software package. Several commenters reminisce about their experiences with BBSes and MUDs, expressing nostalgia for that era of online interaction. Some discuss the technical aspects of Flame, praising its features and flexibility, and comparing it to other contemporary systems. A few users mention trying to get it running on modern hardware, with varying degrees of success. There's a brief discussion about the challenges of preserving old BBS software and data. Overall, the comments reflect a fondness for the history of online communities and an appreciation for Flame's role in it.
The Hacker News post titled "Flame – BBS and MUD" has generated a moderate amount of discussion with several commenters sharing their experiences and insights related to BBSs and MUDs.
One commenter reminisces about their early online experiences with bulletin board systems and dial-up modems, recalling the thrill of exploring new online worlds and the limitations of slow connection speeds. They also express a sense of nostalgia for the simpler times of early online communities.
Another commenter dives deeper into the technical aspects, discussing the challenges of running a BBS with limited hardware resources and the ingenuity required to optimize performance. They mention specific hardware limitations and the clever workarounds employed to overcome them.
Several comments focus on the unique culture of BBSs and MUDs, contrasting them with modern social media platforms. They highlight the stronger sense of community and the deeper connections fostered in these smaller, more focused online spaces. Some express a longing for the text-based interactions and the emphasis on creativity and imagination that characterized these earlier online environments.
There's a discussion about the role of BBSs and MUDs in the development of online communities and the internet as a whole. Commenters acknowledge their importance as precursors to modern social platforms and online gaming. They also point to the influence of BBSs and MUDs on the development of internet technologies and culture.
A few comments mention the challenges of preserving the history and legacy of BBSs and MUDs, with some suggesting resources and initiatives dedicated to archiving and documenting these early online spaces. They emphasize the importance of preserving these digital artifacts for future generations.
One commenter points out the link provided in the original post actually leads to the Flame University Computer Club homepage rather than a specific page about Flame itself. They helpfully provide a direct link to the Flame documentation.
Finally, a commenter highlights the unusual combination of BBS and MUD functionality in Flame, suggesting that it represents a unique hybrid of these two distinct online platforms. They find this combination intriguing and express curiosity about the technical implementation and user experience.