Old Internet Projects That Aged Well
Some web projects survived because they stayed tiny, useful, and human-scaled. They never chased the biggest trend, so they never became unusable.
1. Web archive snapshots
The historical memory of the web still works as a practical research tool.
2. UNIX-style pastebins
Minimal code/text sharing with no feed and no algorithmic clutter.
3. Community wikis
Slow-maintained pages that value clarity over constant novelty.
4. Plain RSS readers
Direct subscription models that avoid timeline manipulation.
5. Public domain libraries
Built for long-term access, not engagement spikes.
6. Text-only search tools
Still fastest when you want information, not visual noise.
7. Personal homepages
One-person sites remain timeless because they are opinionated and finite.
8. Browser-based drawing pads
No install, immediate sketching, still useful in 2026.
9. IRC-inspired chat tools
Room-first communication that keeps social context clear.
10. Link directories
Human-curated lists beat algorithmic feeds for niche discovery.
Durability on the internet often comes from restraint, not scale.