Filipinos have always been known as “early adopters” of technology. Even before the era of WIFI connections and Facebook, we were already getting hooked on social media through similar networking sites and “apps.”
Remember emoticons?
Remember when we used to download mp3s on our computer or upload hundreds of photos from our digicams into online albums? Ah, those were the days. If you’re feeling nostalgic, read on for a list of programs and social networking sites we couldn’t get enough of during the time of dial-up.
Multiply
From TechCrunch
If you needed a space to show off all the photos you took on your digicams, then Multiply was your go-to site. It allowed you to upload high-quality photos and videos, sort them into albums, and share them with other people. You could also write blog posts and set up an online store!
Like Friendster, Multiply shifted gears from a social networking platform to an e-commerce site in 2013. It ceased operations and officially shut down in 2017.
mIRC
From mIRC Official Website
Before messaging apps were a thing, chat rooms were all the rage. One of the most popular was mIRC, an Internet Relay Chat client that allowed you to join channels and talk to other people online in real time. It was also where you could download virus-free mp3s — yep, you had to download songs one by one back then!
It’s hard to believe, but the official mIRC website is still up and running. Feel free to download it if you want to go back to the good ‘ol days!
ICQ
From Network Encyclopedia
While Yahoo! Messenger was arguably the most popular instant messaging client in the 2000s, ICQ was among the first to introduce the service. It was developed by an Israeli company called Mirabilis in 1996, and its name was derived from the phrase, “I Seek You.”
ICQ’s notable features were offline user messaging, group chats, free SMS sending, and multiplayer video games. It also made use of emoticons!
ICQ was acquired by America Online (AOL) in 1998 but was later sold to Digital Sky Technologies in 2010. However, ICQ is still widely used in Russia and was reinvented as ICQ New in 2020.
EDSAmail
From Philippine Internet Archive
Before Gmail reigned supreme, there was EDSAmail– a free email service that allowed users to have an email without having to pay Internet access fees. They even let you customize your email address! It eventually shifted to a paid service before going kaput in 2005.
PinoyExchange
If there’s one site that has stood the test of time, it’s PinoyExchange. The discussion board format may be a dated interface, but their website still thrives. It boasts 1.5 million users globally, and the online forum remains active with users who actively express their thoughts and opinions about various trending topics, including local and international news, gadget reviews, sports, and other useful information.
Don’t you appreciate how technology has evolved over the years? Make sure you have a stable and reliable Internet so you can stay updated on your social networking apps and sites. PLDT Home offers WIFI 6 routers powered by the latest generation of WiFi technology, designed to improve the overall performance of your home network. Learn more about it here!