Cybercultural chronicles internet history and its cultural impact, from the pre-web era to the dot-com boom, Web 2.0, and beyond. Written by pioneering tech blogger Richard MacManus.
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The History of Web Design, 1993–2012: Season 5 Launch
Introducing Cybercultural's history of web design, from the grey web pages of 1993 to the colorful, mobile-centric web designs of 2012. A celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs.
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After BowieNet, David Bowie Goes Dark and Shuns Social Media
From 2004, BowieNet enters a long period of stasis. When David Bowie unexpectedly returns with a new album in 2013, his website is reactivated — but he declines to join social media.
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2003: MP3 Blogs and Pitchfork Shake Up Music Media
Online music and blogging were two key trends in the first decade of digital culture. In 2003, they combine in the form of MP3 blogs. Together with Pitchfork, they revolutionize music journalism.
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What the Internet Was Like in 2003
Blogging goes mainstream in 2003; and with the launch of Google AdSense, pro blogs emerge too. Also the iTunes store debuts, social networks ramp up, and Flash websites are everywhere.
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My 2025 Indie Web Report and Thoughts on the Open Web
How my independent website, Cybercultural, has fared during 2025 — a year when AI summaries whittled away search referral traffic and social media continued its war against hyperlinks.
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The Blogosphere Blossoms in 2003 As RSS Readers Catch On
In 2003, the read/write web becomes a reality when blog software enables anyone to write to the web. Meanwhile, RSS Readers like NetNewsWire and Bloglines bring distribution to the blogosphere.
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2003: BowieNet 3 Launch and the Peak of Flash Web Design
Flash websites reach their peak in 2003, becoming almost the default for creative design on the web. David Bowie is on top of this internet trend and commissions a full Flash redesign of BowieNet.
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2003: MySpace vs. Friendster in a Battle for Digital Natives
Social networking becomes a trend in 2003, thanks largely to Friendster and a copycat called MySpace. But only one of these sites attracts the newly influential 'digital native' users of the internet.
To explore Cybercultural's archive of internet history articles, you can browse by internet era:
- Pre-web (1960s-80s)
- Dot-com (1990-2003)
- Web 2.0 (2004-2012)
- Enshittocene (2013-2021)
You can also read yearly reviews or search for a topic of interest.