Offline websites on CD (ISP offline try-out discs from 95-97) \ VOGONS

Offline websites on CD (ISP offline try-out discs from 95-97)

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First post, by vetz

Posted on 2020-09-09, 13:02

vetz Offline

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I vaguely remember back in 95-97 in the early days of internet ISPs offered CDs which would allow users to browse the web offline as a way to try it out. Do anyone know if any of these CD's have been archived anywhere? I think they first of would preserve the websites better than archive.org and it would be less hassle as they would present a selection of websites for people to try out (on archive.org you have to remember the URL to look it up).

EDIT:
Found one here:
https://archive.org/details/out-of-the-net

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Reply 1 of 8, by appiah4

Posted on 2020-09-09, 13:33

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Now I have to stay awake the whole night just to find out how deep that rabbit hole goes.

Thanks, I guess. 🤣

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Reply 2 of 8, by leileilol

Posted on 2020-09-09, 15:59

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netPower tried to do this but it usually was a cd with other filler shareware apps crap in addition of one or two websites IIRC.

long live PCem

Reply 3 of 8, by shamino

Posted on 2020-09-10, 04:35

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Not from an ISP, but I have a couple sets of Intel CDs like that from the late 90s. It was presented as a source of technical info (not marketing) but I don't remember precisely what was on it. Maybe some chipset datasheets, maybe some x86 programming info, not sure. It was basically a copy of some portion of their web site with internet links for stuff that was missing.
I think I have a CD like that from AMD also.

The Intel CDs were apparently issued periodically, because I remember mine had a Month/Year sticker on them.

Reply 4 of 8, by Zup

Posted on 2020-09-10, 05:45

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Also, I remember a Creative CD (SB AWE64Gold?) having part of their site recorded.

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Reply 5 of 8, by GulchWinder3D

Posted on 2020-09-10, 18:23

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Internet Explorer 3 Starter kit had a demo containing a handful of offline websites.
(Fun fact: The XP OOBE setup music was originally commissioned for this kit)

Reply 6 of 8, by Jo22

Posted on 2020-09-11, 10:42

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vetz wrote on 2020-09-09, 13:02:

EDIT:
Found one here:
https://archive.org/details/out-of-the-net

https://archive.org/details/in-to-the-net
😉

Seriously, though, except to this, I do only remember the early SB16 CD-ROM. It contained a copy of the Creative Website.
Including a few datasheets and a product's catalogue.
Edit : Zup was quicker. 😅

Edit : Some PC repair books contained HTML files and video sequences, too. In the shape of digital data on the companion medium (a CD mainly). By the way, book ware is totally underrated. Just like shareware CD-ROMs. I'm sure they will outlive many big online servers.

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