Welcome to Netscrape News
Netscrape News delivers a daily dose of tech nostalgia, cultural fluency, and historical hooks for the Gen-X soul. Join Sophie Calder for a blend of today’s headlines with a backward glance at tech’s rebellious past.
Tech History
From WarGames to WhatsApp: The 80s Films That Dreamt Our Digital Future
Explore the digital future envisioned by 80s films in this captivating article, from WarGames to WhatsApp, revealing what came true and what we’re still waiting for.
Rebelstar: When British Bedroom Coding Changed Tactics Forever
Discover the untold story of how Rebelstar revolutionised tactical gaming from British bedrooms to global influence.
The Bard’s Tale: How a Classic RPG Turned British Summers Into Legendary Quests
Discover how a Classic RPG called The Bard’s Tale turned British summers into legendary quests for one family in the 1980s. From anticipation to sibling rivalry, explore the impact of this classic game on a generation of gamers.
When the Cursor Blinks Back: Revisiting the Glory Days of Text Adventures
Remember the thrill of typing “LOOK” and being transported to a dimly lit cavern? This nostalgic piece revisits the golden age of text adventures on the ZX Spectrum, exploring the quirky humour, community, and unique literacy of early computer games. Discover the legacy of British developers, the enduring appeal of parser-based gameplay, and the ongoing revival of interactive fiction.
Letters from the Lounge: When Word Processing Came Home
From family newsletters to home businesses, word processors quietly reshaped British homes in the 1980s. Sophie Calder explores how everyday users—especially women and older adults—turned front rooms into offices, and technology into empowerment. This forgotten tech chapter deserves its place in our digital heritage.
Tech Turning Points: Starting Up the Future – Windows 95 and the Birth of Modern Computing
Windows 95 wasn’t just a software release — it was a cultural event. In Preston and beyond, we queued in the rain for a cardboard box that changed how we compute. From Plug and Play to that Eno chime, this retrospective captures the start of a digital era.
Loading… Please Wait: The Lost Rituals of Cassette-Based Gaming
Before downloads became instant, gaming was an act of patience, hope, and whirring cassette decks. Sophie Calder takes us back to an era where every screech and shimmer held the promise of a new pixelated world — and why those rituals still matter today
From Dial-Up Desire to AI Lovers: How Internet Pornography Shaped Digital Evolution
Tracing the journey of adult content from dial-up patience to instant AI gratification reveals how internet pornography drove technological advancements—and sparked critical ethical debates. Explore how past digital desires shape our future
Voodoo Resurrection: How 3dfx Sparked the Frame Rate Obsession
From the moment 3dfx Voodoo cards hit our beige boxes, the race for smooth frame rates began. This nostalgic deep dive explores how Glide changed PC gaming forever and why we’re still chasing that perfect 60+ FPS even today. A retro resurrection for performance purists.