[GhostVII]

I think the Internet is more like electricity vs vinyl. In the US at least, how we transmit electricity has been fairly consistent for around 100 years - a toaster from the 20s will still work today in the same outlets. I think the Internet, and html, will be the same - small changes over time but fundamentally the same.

[015a]

I think that’s true, but those “small changes” end up being large enough that they practically require a human in the loop for maintenance. In comparison; you’re right about the toaster, as there are practically no changes which need to be made to an otherwise working toaster from 1920 to get it functional in 2023.

One small example: TLS. Years ago someone may have very reasonably asserted “my website doesn’t really matter, I don’t need encryption, it’ll run forever without SSL”. Then, the browser vendors universally made SSL practically required. Then; it became TLS, not SSL. Encryption algorithms change every few years. But; ok; maybe you can get some high mileage by automating integration with LetsEncrypt and praying they survive (and remain free).

A three line HTML Hello World is quite likely, I’d argue, to survive and still render in 2120, discounting nuclear winter and such. But to keep a three line HTML hello world WEBSITE hosted and running until 2120 with minimal human intervention would require many magnitudes more executing code automating interface compatibility with the changing world around it; and every line of code you add and expect to execute is a liability.

[magnat]

Both Gopher and BBSes still work today but that doesn't mean they are useful or even used at all.