Features
Hundreds of websites
Protoweb encompasses thousands of historic websites and more are added daily. Websites are meticulously reconstructed to make sure the browsing experience is close to original.
Wide system support
A wide variety of vintage computers and software combinations are supported. From MS-DOS and Macintosh (see gallery below!) to modern systems. WebTV, Sega Dreamcast, and even Palm Pilot.
Just set your proxy server
Protoweb can be accessed using any web browser by adding our server as it’s proxy server. Proxies are supported by nearly every browser.
Thousands of downloads
Not only do we host entire websites, we also restored the file downloads, and even whole FTP sites, so you can get the software you need for your vintage machine.
Surf the Web!
The experience is completed by period search engines so you can quickly find what you are looking for and discover new websites.
Wayback Machine Enabled
We have worked with The Internet Archive to bring you access to their Wayback Machine directly through Protoweb. You can access it from the iNode main menu, or simply type in any URL followed by ‘:’ and the year you would like to preview. For example: ‘www.blockbuster.com:1997’.
Michael MJD explores Protoweb
Browser support
Our service uses a widely supported feature in web browsers called HTTP proxies. Due to the standard nature of this technology, our services have been tested to work with a wide variety of web browsers from different eras.
Partial list of restored historical websites
These restored historical websites (and many more!) are now available on Protoweb:
-
3Dfx Interactive
-
3D Realms
-
Compaq
-
Computer Reset
-
Digital Equipment Corporation
-
Download.net
-
Dopefish Lives!
-
eMachines
- Epic MegaGames
- EZone
- GeoCities
- HappyPuppy
- Homestar Runner
- Napster
- Netscape Home
- Mosaic Communication Corporation
- Runescape
- SHOUTcast.com – Live Internet Radio
- Yahoo
- PsygnosisÂ
- Numerous restored FTP sites (ftp.compaq.com, ftp.3drealms.com, ftp.idsoftware.com, ftp.infomac.org, ftp.winsite.com, ftp.netscape.com…)
Featured on YouTube
- Experiencing The Old Internet With Protoweb! – Jiga Tech (2/6/2024)
- Chat Room Listings and Protoweb internet proxy are live! – Mike Killingbeck (P3OL project) (1/27/2024)
- Classic Mac ProtoWeb & WarpStream Setup Tutorial #PPCChallenge24 – Hrutkay Mods (1/9/2024)
- Nostalgia Mall Christmas 2023: Exploring the ProtoWeb – Nostalgia Mall (12/16/2023)
- Protoweb – Reviving the ’90s Internet! (Overview & Demo)Â – Michael MJD (7/12/2023)
- Exploring Protoweb :// during my lunch break – Aubrey Portwood (7/18/2023)
- Lego goes to the web – Legomanbutreal (7/18/2023)
- The Old Net and AIM in 2022! – Retro Tech or Die (2/19/2022)
- Protoweb Proxy Running On Dreamcast – DreamPi – Rizzo Island (5/4/2021)
- Protoweb exploration on dial up using Compaq LTE Lite 4/25EÂ – i80386sx (3/2/2021)
- Experience the 90’s Internet with Protoweb! – Protoweb (1/26/2021)
- Using Virtual Modem, a serial modem emulator to connect to the Internet! – Protoweb (1/26/2021)
- Introducing ProtoWeb: Browsing the Web Like it’s 1995Â – RetroTech Chris (12/19/2020)
