Subj : Re: THE INTERNET AT LARGE, IS DEAD
To   : osito
From : hollowone
Date : Fri Jul 07 2023 01:44:50

 os> The normie internet is now a big ad. interaction is only permitted in
 os> specific approved channels. there is no fun there.
 os> 
 os> thankfully we still have bbses.

That's one way of looking at it. But then what is Internet, just endless network of cables that allow all the communication technologically, still driven by TCP/IP like in ARPANET times.

What you all refer to is that subset of internet that took over the majority of attention, which is the WEB. Experienced for decades defined by the concept of a browser, with rich UX capabilities that our terminals (think desktop computers) are capable of.. but still just one procol and a tech stack that dominated the apps and online services.

BBSes are not even a WEB, but still the internet. We're niche here and unfortunately that is to stay, because the UX and general adoption of the web can be only conquered by native applications in the mobile space.

Mobile space is interesting to assess as most of the internet traffic is mobile. Mobile world can be divided into two chunks by dominant platforms:
- IOS which is closed platform to develop and publish
- Android which is semi-open platform to develop and publish

Both accept the web in almost unlimited way, as long as the devices can simply run it.

Internet is at large dead outside the web and mobile space and online games.

Now what we're complaining here is that there is consolidation of traffic focused on major websites and vendors who stand behind them.

That's true, but this is nothing new.. this is like in retail space you have big shopping malls and small shops. sooner or laters smaller shops encounter a heavy competition and unless they are heavily specialized in an unique way or most likely, offer premium customer service to their niche and local customer base, they die.

Same with all the websites originally mentioned in this post.
Is it bad.. well if you're looking for niche topics that are easily findable and not easy to publish in the "shopping mall" concept of the web, yeah.. at least challenging.

I dare to say it's OK, because after 3 decades of the Web I see signals that people experienced in this "shop floor plan" are mature enough to start searching elsewhere as well, and if they do, they find themselves in the criteria not connected with the masses. Masses will always exist, but what creates a feeling of individuality in minds of people who don't want to be just plain consumers, is that adventure related to research and every niche found is a culmination of that discovery called "self identification".

You won't win with FB,Amazon as individual.. but history shows that shopping malls just show up and die like any other shop... why to bother. keep searching for your niches, keep creating them.. comparing to running a regular store.. it's freaking cheap these days.

-h1

.... Xerox Alto was the thing. Anything after we use is just a mere copy.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
 * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS >> 20ForBeers.com:1337 (700:100/71)

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