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I still use Windows XP, even managed to install the last ever version of Netscape. It was working with most mainstream site up until a few years ago.

anyfoo 2y ago
As much as I love my retro-computing, I keep it far away from open networks…
- EvanAnderson 2y ago
  It makes me feel so old to hear Windows XP described as "retro-computing". >smile<
  - anyfoo 2y ago
    I’m old enough to remember the release of Windows 3.0! (Before that I used Windows 2.1 and was technically around for all Windows releases, but didn’t hear about the release.) But just last month, when I installed Windows 2000 on a new-old-stock laptop from 2008 (which was surprisingly challenging as well), I realized that it does start to feel retro by now…
    - kelnos 2y ago
      I remember the Win3.0 release too, though that was the first version of Windows I'd used (we were a DOS-only house before then). In middle school I begged my dad to get hold of a copy of Windows 3.11 for Workgroups, because somehow I believed that was crucial to my and a few friends plans to start our own software company. Of course those plans never materialized, even after we all installed WfW 3.11. It is wild to me that Windows 3.1's system requirements were 1MB of RAM and 6.5MB of disk space. Things have changed...
      - anyfoo 2y ago
        Ah, I remember installing WfW 3.11 around the same age as well! I don't even remember if we already had a home network at that time (the first one was NetWare 3.11 based), but I do remember the subtle differences that somehow made it fun.
- kjs3 2y ago
  This. I still have a few XP machines/instances running software/hardware that won't work on newer stuff (logic analyzer, PROM/PAL programmers, old CAD, etc). I don't think I've ever launched a browser on them, and they definitely are walled off network wise. But they work perfectly for the use case.
  - anyfoo 2y ago
    Yep. For the same reason my oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer are in the same isolated network as my retro stuff.
    - kjs3 2y ago
      My 'big' LA runs HP/UX 10.something. No way that's getting near the interwebs. =)
- ruined 2y ago
  at some point, the attack surface is old and strange enough that it's no longer hazardous to expose. like a spear going through kevlar ballistic armor. i guess that's backwards but you know what i mean
  - anyfoo 2y ago
    Oh yeah, I agree with your point. I really wouldn't be worried very much about the DOS machine with packet drivers being exposed to the Internet. It's easier for me to have the "retro net" just being generally isolated, though. Windows XP on the other hand...
  - wongarsu 2y ago
    Windows XP meanwhile is more like a WWII weapon: outdated but still sees a surprising amount of use, and is familiar due to its similarity with modern weapons. Behind a NAT it may be fine, but you still have to be very careful

anyfoo 2y ago

As much as I love my retro-computing, I keep it far away from open networks…

EvanAnderson 2y ago
It makes me feel so old to hear Windows XP described as "retro-computing". >smile<
- anyfoo 2y ago
  I’m old enough to remember the release of Windows 3.0! (Before that I used Windows 2.1 and was technically around for all Windows releases, but didn’t hear about the release.) But just last month, when I installed Windows 2000 on a new-old-stock laptop from 2008 (which was surprisingly challenging as well), I realized that it does start to feel retro by now…
  - kelnos 2y ago
    I remember the Win3.0 release too, though that was the first version of Windows I'd used (we were a DOS-only house before then). In middle school I begged my dad to get hold of a copy of Windows 3.11 for Workgroups, because somehow I believed that was crucial to my and a few friends plans to start our own software company. Of course those plans never materialized, even after we all installed WfW 3.11. It is wild to me that Windows 3.1's system requirements were 1MB of RAM and 6.5MB of disk space. Things have changed...
    - anyfoo 2y ago
      Ah, I remember installing WfW 3.11 around the same age as well! I don't even remember if we already had a home network at that time (the first one was NetWare 3.11 based), but I do remember the subtle differences that somehow made it fun.
kjs3 2y ago
This. I still have a few XP machines/instances running software/hardware that won't work on newer stuff (logic analyzer, PROM/PAL programmers, old CAD, etc). I don't think I've ever launched a browser on them, and they definitely are walled off network wise. But they work perfectly for the use case.
- anyfoo 2y ago
  Yep. For the same reason my oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer are in the same isolated network as my retro stuff.
  - kjs3 2y ago
    My 'big' LA runs HP/UX 10.something. No way that's getting near the interwebs. =)
ruined 2y ago
at some point, the attack surface is old and strange enough that it's no longer hazardous to expose. like a spear going through kevlar ballistic armor. i guess that's backwards but you know what i mean
- anyfoo 2y ago
  Oh yeah, I agree with your point. I really wouldn't be worried very much about the DOS machine with packet drivers being exposed to the Internet. It's easier for me to have the "retro net" just being generally isolated, though. Windows XP on the other hand...
- wongarsu 2y ago
  Windows XP meanwhile is more like a WWII weapon: outdated but still sees a surprising amount of use, and is familiar due to its similarity with modern weapons. Behind a NAT it may be fine, but you still have to be very careful