this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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Asklemmy

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What should I add to my '90s website?

So I'm currently toying around with NeoCities, and decided to trial it by building your classic mid '90s Geocities/Tripod/Angelfire pastiche website.

Some of the most important elements are already in place.

Tile background? Large font? Heading in bright pink with a shadow? Unusual colour choices? Random cat gifs? Under construction gif? Check! Check! Check!

In the true spirit of the '90s DIY web, some more pages (including the links page) are coming soon.

(I'm thinking of adding a page dedicated to either Britney or a nu-metal band.)

You can see the page so far here: https://that90ssite.neocities.org/

There are a few things that I want to add to make it complete, and I'm looking for suggestions.

The first, is to embed a midi file that plays automatically. Any suggestions on the best way of doing this?

Second, it's just not going to be complete without a guestbook.

Third, any webring suggestions?

Fourth, what's the best way of adding a java chat room in 2024?

Finally, anything else that really needs to be a part of a great '90s website?

UPDATE: Thanks for all the feedback! I've added more annoying GIFs, a guestbook, a links page, and a cyber cat hangout.

UPDATE 2: And added even more gifs, an amazing Amiga demo, and a ton of links.

@asklemmy #tech #webdev #neocities #technology

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (6 children)

@[email protected] @[email protected] I think I actually have a few of my 90s-era sites archived. One of them should have an auto play midi for the background music. I'll see if I can dig it up!

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

You've got the under construction gif. Done.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

The problem is the MIDI file doesn't automatically play.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

It has a cat gif I don't think it needs anything else I'm sorry

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

One of those Java applets at the bottom that looks like water reflecting the site background perhaps?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

I miss midis.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Add a visitor counter like this one - https://retrowptheme.com/retro-visitor-counter/

for more vintage gif's check this website - https://gifcities.org

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

@ajsadauskas @asklemmy
The Netscape logo at the bottom killed me

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I recommend a "gallery" of photos of whatever topic you want, but probably something obscure like your favorite McDonalds playgrounds or of you holding up fish you've caught. The resolution on the pictures can't more than 640x480 tho.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Nice project. I like the nostalgia. πŸ‘

After some searching I learned that Tripod and Angelfire still exist today as web hosting providers. Your page could have a few more Under construction signs here and there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

@ajsadauskas @asklemmy Width doesn't fit properly on mobile, well done πŸ€£πŸ‘

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

@ajsadauskas @neil @asklemmy Looks amazing!

My only question is about whether drop shadows on text was prominent. I’m having trouble remembering how that effect would have been accomplished in the 90s, since I don’t think CSS got it until later. Would it have been something on the <font> tag only supported in Internet Explorer?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

@ajsadauskas @neil @asklemmy As for chat, probably the best way to do that today is to use Web Sockets but style it to look like frames or a Java applet on the page.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Check out maya.land. especially webmentions.

I don't know how to tag a user on lemmy. Is maya still around?

I'm also a big fan of confusing landing pages.

EDIT: an RSS feed for any website, old or new

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

The cat art style doesnt look 90ish to me

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

@ajsadauskas @asklemmy

That's brilliant! Those were simpler times, that's for sure :)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

@ajsadauskas @asklemmy
A little music player with a playlist that plays that eras music. Links to retro sites that no longer exist that actually work, that way we can bring the internet of the past back.

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