The Wayback Machine

The Wayback Machine

The Wayback Machine is a cleverly titled website comprised of 'internet archives': reminiscent of a digital Library of Alexandria, the purpose is to document website's history in order to preserve the past for future internet users. Even within the short and recent historical progression of the internet, the 'now' looks vastly different than the 'then'.


They document everything- not merely websites. Videos, photographs, even software are all kept and preserved. Anything that has been released onto the internet for a certain purpose is present, to ensure that future generations will have a source of history- a more acute and intimate version of documenting history. Personally, one of the most intriguing inclusions is the preservation of radio programs- that is a very present thing that, though not as utilized in typical day to day life, is extremely important and explains moments literally as they are happening. Humans are documenting the exact present, and that is kept.


However, the website is most recognized for documenting websites since their beginning. That being said, here are some websites that have drastically changed since their roots.



Youtube

Then- Appearance

In it's complete initial stage, Youtube was, evidently, a dating site. It's design was simple; however not for stylistic effect, but lack of capability to make it any more complex. There are no videos to be seen on the home page, the tabs have "messages" which is not even present now.

Now- Appearance

As of now, Youtube is no longer a dating site, but the most prevalent platform for (innocent) video sharing. It takes up the entire web page, and has long abandoned its secondary blue color to the background theme. However, the search bars and nearly unchanged Youtube logo remain in relatively the same positions.

Then- Coding

The HTML similarly shows the difference of simplicity between the old and new Youtube. This code lacks a significant amount of style; primarily all this coding is for functional and necessary words. It was a bare minimum.

Now- Coding

The HTML in the more dated Youtube clearly demonstrates two things- the increase in functionality and options, and the increase in stylistic addition. There are far more tabs in this Youtube, as well as the visual aspect becoming much more focused on in the coding- including their staple font- Roboto.



Barbie.com

Then- Appearance

In its initial upcoming, Barbie.com was extremely simple; not the gaming site it is today. Primarily it was for adult customers to browse. There are no real things to do, merely a few pictures and simplistic links- however maintaining the Barbie Pink in one.

Now- Appearance

In present Barbie days, it is evident that the site is geared towards not just buyer's convenience, but a variety of games for the children. The website is vibrant and colorful, with multiple pictures in slideshows and tabs for many other pages of the website. It even has a different URL now.

Then- Coding

In the first coding of Barbie, there was a lack of any color, large tag lines, and effectively placed graphics. It's largest section is devoted to the months and date, as opposed to tabs or other things to use.

Now- Coding

As of now, the coding in Barbie.com is very focused on the graphics, such as the transparent barbie in the top, or the tagline at the top of the page. At the bottom there are multiple options for different tabs and purposes. It is much more usable and interesting.








The Drudge Report

Then- Appearance

The Drudge Report first was a simple, black and white website of merely the links to the articles it sought to provide. There were about two or three small images. All the information was aligned into mono-looking rows. It has it's initial recognizable logo as the only text that is distinguishable as different.

Now- Appearance

As of now, the website looks vastly similar- maintaining it's black and white colors, and simple mostly unchanged fonts, and analogous lists of links. It is simple and conventionally unattractive compared to other newer sites. However, there has been a large increase in photographs to serve visual appeal, and a bold headline to draw attention to at least one thing, to draw people in.

Then- Coding

As anticipated, the coding for the first model of the Drudge Report had a strong lack of anything stylistic- merely necessary components. No individual fonts, no headings, no colors. It is only functionality.

Now- Coding

Still the functionality persists as the coding here is virtually exactly as minimalistic. The hex codes of #000000 (black) and #FFFFFF (white) show that the lack of any affiliation with 'pretty' fonts or colors will most likely never change. This website is on a strict code-what-is-needed basis.