It was certainly iconic. Felt like the glory days of computers, networking, and user groups. I always got that excited feeling like when you're a kid and anything is possible! It was before extreme specialization, and you literally could learn everything. It was a time when we felt like we had something special before the masses were even aware of it.

Then ISPs popped up, and we ditched our modems and BBS's for IRC and Usenet. Still before the masses were aware. Still a special time.

Then, eventually, corporations got wind of a new market to target, and the masses moved in. They used ridiculous names like portals, email chains, properties, social media, etc., and everything went to shit fast. It felt like something special was taken away from those of us who were at the beginning. It lost that special feeling and turned toxic in no time.

Some embraced it, but more rejected it and would not dare join Facebook or MySpace or wherever corporate, ad-infested places the lemmings amassed. Instead, we created niche places a bit too technical for the sheeple to follow. We became rebels of conformity. And then, we became old and obsolete.

It was a concurrent evolution and devolution as we were thrown toward the modern-day internet.

Regardless of how it turned out, I am very thankful and glad I was a part of that early, amazing culture!