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The Internet: Evolution from 1997 to 2021

A timeline of key developments on the internet from 1997 to 2021

From Hacker News Original Article Hacker News Discussion

The article reflects on the state of the internet around 1997, a pivotal time when public internet access expanded significantly in places like Turkey, and early web directories were still in use.

Why it matters: 1997 marked a key moment in internet adoption, transitioning from niche use to broader public accessibility.

The big picture: Early internet navigation relied on printed or CD-ROM "yellow pages" before search engines like Google emerged.

The other side: Some note that data from that era may miss internal internet traffic in countries like China, limiting historical accuracy.

Commenters say: Readers reminisce about the early internet experience and highlight the need for updated data reflecting IPv6 growth and global internet changes.