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u/RaisinStraight2992

I built a CMS that runs on MS-DOS and Netscape 3, because the modern web is too bloated
▲ 5 r/OldInternetCultureV2

I built a CMS that runs on MS-DOS and Netscape 3, because the modern web is too bloated

I’ve been experimenting with the idea of “downgrading” the web. Not just for the sake of nostalgia, but to explore simpler, more durable ways to build sites that don't require a 50MB framework just to display text.

https://preview.redd.it/rctkuq6c7jwg1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b767479d90cf998eaf6c98efcef992dea05ee56

As a result, I created HamsterCMS_SE. It’s a CMS designed with a "Web 1.0 first" approach:

  • Ultimate Compatibility: It works on MS-DOS (via Arachne, Links Browzer, Dillo, and Microweb), Windows 3.11, and Netscape 3.0, also IE5.
  • HTML 3.x Foundation: It uses extremely minimal markup that modern browsers still render perfectly (the beauty of backward compatibility).
  • The Workflow: The editor intentionally mimics the late-90s webmaster experience. No fancy drag-and-drop, just clean, functional simplicity.

If you’re tired of the modern "heavy" web and want to build something that would survive a digital apocalypse (or just run on your 386 DX), check it out.

Repo: https://github.com/turboblack/HamsterCMS_SE

https://github.com/turboblack/ There are also dozens of adapted templates (very lightweight)

https://old.net.eu.org/ The layout instructions are only two paragraphs long.

Installation is even simpler—just copy it to a hosting service that has PHP 8.**

https://elpis.ws An example of a website that works on this CMS.

http://web1.0hosting.net/ Hosting that runs on this CMS (pre-installed, no need to install anything)

SO! -

Get ready to hamsterization!

HamsterCMS SE is the world's smallest and very simple multi-template content management system. 

  • No database required!
  • You only need one file to work!
  • Works on PHP 8 without preinstalled frameworks
  • Just copy the files to the server (or hosting). No settings needed.
  • Perfect for a simple home page.
  • Multi-page or blog function
  • The hamster works very quickly.
  • The hamster code is simple and clear!
  • Open source and free!
  • Multi-template 
  • Easy to adapt templates.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Is "downgrading" the future of a more sustainable web, or am I just screaming at the clouds? 🐹

reddit.com
u/RaisinStraight2992 — 13 hours ago
🔥 Hot ▲ 102 r/windows98+4 crossposts

I built a CMS that works on MS-DOS, Netscape 3 and modern browsers (Web 1.0 approach)

I’ve been experimenting with the idea of “downgrading” the web — not just for nostalgia, but to explore simpler, more durable approaches to building sites.

As a result, I built a CMS that:

  • works on MS-DOS and very old Windows systems
  • uses extremely minimal HTML (roughly HTML 3.x level)
  • still renders correctly in modern browsers (backward compatibility)

The editor intentionally mimics the workflow of early browsers like Netscape 3, so content is created in a way similar to late 90s websites.

Screenshots:
https://hamster.oldcities.org/2025_19_54_48.png
http://downgrade.w10.site/login.jpg

I’m curious from a developer perspective:

  • Does this kind of extreme backward compatibility make any sense today?
  • Where would you draw the line between constraints and usability?
  • What would you improve in such a system?
u/RaisinStraight2992 — 12 hours ago