Internet Archive – possible uses of the worldwide archive

Recently we have on the Looking to download an old version of iLife already on that Mac repository, but also pointed to the Internet Archive. The Internet Archive has been one of the most important digital libraries in the world since 1996. With the aim of preserving humanity's digital heritage and making it accessible to future generations, it offers a wealth of possible uses. In this blog post you will find the different categories of the Internet Archive. This also includes the web archive, which can be searched using the “Wayback Machine”.

TL; DR: Click here to go directly to archive.org

Books and texts

The Internet Archive houses millions of digitized books, magazines, articles and other texts from different eras and cultures. Users can access this huge collection for free and search by area of ​​interest or specific titles. This allows not only convenient online reading, but also research and research on a variety of topics. Part of the book collection is also a library system in which you can only borrow some of the books as a registered user. Thanks to official library status since 2007, the project has avoided possible copyright problems.

Audiovisual media

Other areas of the Internet Archive consist of collections of audiovisual media. In the individual categories of the website you will find historical films, series and videos, studio music and concerts, radio shows, pictures and photos and much more. These collections are not only intended for entertainment purposes, but also serve as an important resource for education and cultural preservation. A similar project that focuses specifically on royalty-free or unlicensed films is WikiFlix

software and games

For technology enthusiasts and gaming fans, the Internet Archive offers an extensive collection of software, games and emulators. From classic computer games to almost forgotten programs and titles that are no longer offered (abandonware) you can immerse yourself in the history of digital media and revive old memories. If you operate old computers, you will find suitable operating systems, drivers and firmware here. Operating instructions for numerous devices are also stored here.

Website archiving with the Wayback Machine

A highlight of the Internet Archive is undoubtedly the Wayback Machine. This special area of ​​the site makes it possible to access and partially search past versions of websites. This allows you to track the development of websites over time (some since 1996), find lost content or research historical information. The Wayback Machine is an essential tool for those interested in the history of the Internet and its evolution. I used it several times while researching the Sir Apfelot blog.

Conclusion on what the Internet Archive offers

The Internet Archive offers a variety of uses for different areas of interest and needs. From the digital library with books and texts to audiovisual media to software and the Wayback Machine - everyone will find something exciting here. The free and publicly accessible nature of the Internet Archive makes it a valuable pool of resources for personal use, research, and educational purposes. In addition to Wikipedia and specialized directories such as MacTracker, for me the Internet Archive is a cornerstone of online research as well as a collection of material for digital hobbies.

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.