Resurrect the Old Web

Bearblog, Platforms, and Lock‑In

• Some question why “old web” nostalgia is channeled through Bearblog, a hosted platform like many that have vanished before.
• The Bear creator argues: all but extreme self‑hosting rely on someone’s platform anyway; what matters is easy export/migration and a commitment to longevity.
• Skeptics see repeated Bearblog posts and the article itself as effectively promotional, and emphasize that no platform can be the solution.

What “Old Web” Was (and Wasn’t)

• For many, “old web” means Geocities/Angelfire/ISP hosting, personal fan sites, webrings, phpBB/vBulletin forums, IRC/IM, not just blogs + RSS.
• Others recall BBS→Fidonet→Usenet culture: small, hobbyist, often non‑commercial communities.
• Several say their youth online was forums and chat, not solo blogs.

Nostalgia vs Reality

• Commenters list negatives: pop‑ups/unders, toolbars, malware, Flash exploits, IE‑only sites, awful design, slow connections, shock content.
• Others defend the era’s “color” and creativity, contrasting it with today’s minimalist, monetized, engagement‑driven web.
• Many note that nostalgia selectively remembers the fun parts and ignores the rest, but some artifacts (good games, some sites) have genuinely aged well.

Ownership, Hosting, and Domains

• Strong theme: be independent—own your domain, self‑host (or use static hosting) so platforms become replaceable infrastructure.
• Counterpoint: domains are also rented, subject to registrars’ rules and annual fees; true sovereignty is limited.
• Ease vs control debate: modern 1‑click static blogs are simple for developers, but non‑technical users still benefit from platforms.

Economics, Ads, and Enshittification

• “No ads” as an old‑web trait is challenged: banner and popup ads were common by the late 90s, and tracking existed early via counters and ad networks.
• Difference noted between overt page‑corner banners and today’s entangled, surveillance‑based monetization.
• Many tie today’s problems to extrinsic motivation: ad revenue, growth, lock‑in. The “old web” is reframed as intrinsically motivated creation “for love of the game.”

Security, Law, and the Death of Hobby Hosting

• Some blame the decline of small self‑hosted sites on spam, bots, exploits, DDoS, and rising legal exposure (copyright, CSAM, terrorism laws).
• Running forums or dynamic apps on a cheap VPS is described as stressful and risky; static sites on S3‑style storage are seen as the only “safe” option.

Scale, Community, and Algorithms

• People miss small, semi‑private communities where you could “get to know” others; modern large platforms amplify drama and hostility.
• Proprietary platforms succeeded partly by solving discovery, spam filtering, and community for non‑technical users—but only while profitable; then features degrade.
• Growing resentment of algorithmic feeds, surveillance targeting, and the difficulty of sharing privately; some hide personal blogs behind authentication or closed groups.

“Old Web” Persistence and Alternatives

• Several argue the old web never died; it’s just buried under corporate JavaScript and poor search. Usenet, gopher/Gemini, Neocities, and indie blogs still exist.
• Suggested remedies: self‑host, avoid big silos/browsers, use RSS, webrings, and curated link directories; email bloggers and build relationships.
• Others think new protocols won’t fix fundamentally human/network‑effect issues; the mainstream will stay on addictive, centralized platforms, while “old web” spaces remain a niche for enthusiasts.