Browse the memory lane on the internet with this 1996 instructional video

The Internet ArchiveAimed at preserving our cultural heritage, it is a real treasure trove of digital content, including media from now-defunct VHS-like formats. Case: 1996 Video, Everything you need to know … Internet Introduction (Listed as 95021 in what one considers to be a series), recently uploaded to the archive.

Even the minimum technical requirements for sign-in indicate how far we have come in terms of absolute computing power. Viewers need a Macintosh or IBM (or IBM compatible) personal computer loaded with Windows 3.11 or Windows 95; 14.4 Modem with transmission or higher capacity; “Minimum” 8MB RAM; And at least 500MB hard drive. (In comparison, the 2020 MacBook Pros Can be configured with 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of onboard memory, and 1TB of hard drive storage, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB.)

It’s a good thing we didn’t get any term sound effects, because Classic sound Connecting a dial modem — always very slow — would no doubt evoke painful memories at that time, one’s connection was declining, and one had to reconnect to send a few emails. Dial-access is still used in rural or remote areas where broadband is not yet established, but it is nearing destruction: a 2013 Pew Survey Just 3 percent of American adults at the time relied solely on dialup.

The video, which promises to take viewers into this mysterious world of the internet without resorting to the Techno Babel, focuses on the three biggest service providers of the time: CompuServe, Prodigy, And the most vengeful USA Online (AOL). Visitors are introduced to the various welcome screens on each service, followed by a login process and a tour of the main tools available: in particular, sending files via e-mail, newsgroups / Usenet, web browsing, bookmarking features, chat features, and FTP.

True, this is not a very heated debate, but despite the bitter story and raw, grain scenes, Everything you need to know … Internet Introduction Captures some of the key cultural elements of the early days of the widespread public use of the Internet. (I admit nostalgia during Usenet demos: I made many good friends in life in the 1990s rec.martial-arts.) You can watch in full 30 minute video here, You have to be very lean.

Lists the image by Diamond Entertainment Corp.