The struggles of WebTV

A screenshot of the WebTV homepage in its first year
A screenshot of the WebTV homepage in its first year (Photo from TheFreeDictionary)

The growing popularity of the internet in the late ‘90s had people curious as to what the web was all about. More people started going out and buying computers and subscribing to an internet service provider to explore what this emerging technology had to offer. For some, it was harder to access. Whether because of financial struggle, tech illiteracy, or only minimal interest, using the web, let alone owning a computer was considered either a luxury, or something only for those who had an interest. A low-cost alternative, WebTV, was invented for these types of users. Continue reading “The struggles of WebTV”

Web browser history part 2: The browser wars

See also: Web browser history part 1: The evolution of the browser

88x31 buttons promoting Internet Explorer and Netscape
88×31 buttons of Web 1.0 promoting Internet Explorer and Netscape. These were commonly found on both personal and professional web pages at the time.

In its prime, the Mosaic browser was instrumental in bringing the web to the average person. As its architecture carried over to the foundations of future software, developers found ways to improve its features. This was done not only through creation of their own browsers, but also in finding ways to knock out any other competition. This ushered in the first of few eras of “browser wars”: A competition among developers to have the most popular browser. Continue reading “Web browser history part 2: The browser wars”

Web browser history part 1: The evolution of the web browser

Original WorldWideWeb logo
Original WorldWideWeb logo, designed in 1990 by Robert Cailliau

If there’s any 20th century invention that changed the world in a revolutionary way, it is the World Wide Web. What started as a small project to easily host internal information over the internet has since transformed into an integral part of our modern society. The information and content we have today would not be accessible without the creation of web browsers. Before web browsers, internet users did not have much to rely on aside from e-mails and newsgroups. This has since changed. From simplistic software in its early days, to multi-functioning products today, browsers have come a long way. Continue reading “Web browser history part 1: The evolution of the web browser”