Compu-Global-Hyper-Mega-Net: Difference between revisions
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CGHMN is currently in | |||
CGHMN is currently in '''''[[Signup|Open Beta]]'''''. Users can sign up and join the network along with their devices. While the network is totally solid, we need a large enough userbase to make it interesting for users to contribute! A bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. But hopefully one we can overcome. | |||
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Mechanisms will be implemented to discourage (but not outright prevent) "modern systems" from accessing the network where possible, both for the security of users on the network and to try and further the "vibe" of using period-accurate hardware and software. Using IRC and playing StarCraft on Windows 11 simply isn't as "fun" for us! | Mechanisms will be implemented to discourage (but not outright prevent) "modern systems" from accessing the network where possible, both for the security of users on the network and to try and further the "vibe" of using period-accurate hardware and software. Using IRC and playing StarCraft on Windows 11 simply isn't as "''fun''" for us! | ||
=== So what's this all about? === | === So what's this all about? === | ||
CGHMN is a collaborative project aimed to create a late 1990's/early 2000's compatible "internet" for retro computing enthusiasts and their machines | CGHMN is a collaborative project aimed to create a late 1990's/early 2000's compatible "internet" for retro computing enthusiasts and their machines to connect to each other | ||
=== Okay so how do I connect to it === | === Okay so how do I connect to it === | ||
You can sign up '''[[Signup|right now]]!''' to " | You can sign up '''[[Signup|right now]]!''' to "beta test" the network | ||
=== How fast is it? === | === How fast is it? === | ||
Total internal network capacity is ''''' | Total internal network capacity is '''''500Mbps''''' (symmetric). This is mainly due to the limitations of the OVH server being rented. This speed may be raised or lowered depending on future federation with other members. | ||
Your speed will depend on factors such as how fast your device can run Wireguard and your internet connection | '''''Your''''' speed will likely depend on factors such as how fast your device can run Wireguard and your internet connection | ||
=== Is this safe to use? I thought connecting old PC's to the internet was a bad idea! === | === Is this safe to use? I thought connecting old PC's to the internet was a bad idea! === | ||
Revision as of 09:37, 10 October 2025
Preamble
Compu-Global-Hyper-Mega-Net (hereby shortened to CGHMN for easier reference) originally started as me making good on a promise to use a Cisco AS5300 I acquired years ago to make a Dial-Up internet provider. Over time while working on the project and watching other YouTubers work on their own ISP projects it became clear that many of them are happy to set up the hardware, there was very little interest (or ability) to make it usable to other folks, or to have anything fun or useful to "do" with it (beyond the novelty of browsing a few vintage websites such as FrogFinder)
CGHMN (its name borrowing from a Simpsons joke, naturally) is another one of my "biting off far more than I can possibly chew" projects. Intended to be an intersection point between art, shitpost, rejection of "internet modernity", refuge for the nostalgic and a communal home for projects of a specifically retro computing bent.
CGHMN is currently in Open Beta. Users can sign up and join the network along with their devices. While the network is totally solid, we need a large enough userbase to make it interesting for users to contribute! A bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. But hopefully one we can overcome.
An eventual goal is to provide "open" access to an era of the web that has been not so much "lost" as obliterated by capitalism. A space that can mimic "the vibe" of the late 1990's internet through faithful reconstruction or mimicry of the hardware and software stacks that powered it.
Mechanisms will be implemented to discourage (but not outright prevent) "modern systems" from accessing the network where possible, both for the security of users on the network and to try and further the "vibe" of using period-accurate hardware and software. Using IRC and playing StarCraft on Windows 11 simply isn't as "fun" for us!
So what's this all about?
CGHMN is a collaborative project aimed to create a late 1990's/early 2000's compatible "internet" for retro computing enthusiasts and their machines to connect to each other
Okay so how do I connect to it
You can sign up right now! to "beta test" the network
How fast is it?
Total internal network capacity is 500Mbps (symmetric). This is mainly due to the limitations of the OVH server being rented. This speed may be raised or lowered depending on future federation with other members.
Your speed will likely depend on factors such as how fast your device can run Wireguard and your internet connection
Is this safe to use? I thought connecting old PC's to the internet was a bad idea!
Compu-Global-Hyper-Mega-Net is not accessible by the wider internet and is specifically designed to be a hermetically sealed network. Users can only connect via the above methods and can only communicate with other devices on the network. Users that violate the Terms of Service or attempt to abuse the network (or other members) will have their access permanently removed. With that said the usual rules about not downloading suspicious files and other "internet hygiene" rules still apply. While we don't expect bad actors to be a problem, please ensure that any files contributed to the network are scanned for malware first! VirusTotal provides free scanning services for this.
How can I help?
A lot of folks have offered to donate server hosting which is wonderful. Though not (yet!) required. The two biggest things we need are
Donations to buy infrastructure (Particularly hard disks!) there's an Amazon Wishlist here that will get updated over time. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1W3S0E9IN7ZB7?ref_=wl_share
Volunteers who want to set up services. Want to come build a website? Run an old game server? Have some weird retro hardware you want to attach to the network? Please, reach out!