A nostalgic look back at Quebec web pioneers like MSN Messenger, The Web of Quebec and Copernicus, which marked the beginnings of the Internet in Quebec before giving way to global giants.
Introduction
There was a time when the Quebec web was animated by colorful online discussion tools. Young people were browsing MSN chat rooms research friends with whom to discuss life and Harlequin novels. Families gathered on the La Toile du Québec portal to read the news and comment on articles. And when it came to searching for something on the Internet, it was Copernicus, the famous engine of research québécois, who pointed us in the right direction.
However, with the advent of social networks and web giants like Google et Facebook, these local pioneers gradually disappeared. In this article, we are going to take a nostalgic look at these vestiges of yesterday's web and try to understand why they are no longer part of our daily lives digital.
Iconic web tools
The Golden Age of MSN Chat Rooms
At the turn of the years 2000, MSN Messenger reigned supreme in Quebecers' online conversations. With its colorful emojis and its famous “you are connected(e)”, it was teenagers' favorite way to chat with their friends after class.
MSN rooms also made it possible to discuss various topics with strangers. You could choose from categories like news, music or leisure activities and thus make news met. It was a time when the emblematic tools of the web were synonymous with discovery and openness to the world..
The Web of Quebec, the community portal
Launched in 1999, La Toile du Québec was intended to be a showcase of the Quebec web and a virtual meeting space. There you could find essential information on current affairs and culture., but also lively forums where you can discuss social issues.
Many remember with nostalgia the sometimes acerbic but always passionate comments under the articles. It was a time when traditional media was just beginning its migration to the Internet and La Toile du Québec played a pioneering role in creating an online community..
Copernicus, the engine of research local
Launched in 1996, Copernic has long been the main Quebec competitor of Google on the market of engines the research. With its unique features like research images and its database dedicated to Quebec, it made local resources more accessible.
Copernic marked the beginnings of the Quebec web by providing an alternative to the American giant. Unfortunately, the growing supremacy of Google and financial difficulties got the better of this pioneer, which finally closed its doors in 2013.
The control of the web giants
Today, it is the American platforms that dominate our online habits. Facebook and its messaging services have replaced MSN, Google has become our gateway to the Internet par excellence, and even Amazon nibbles at shares of Quebec retail.
Although some new social networks are trying to generate enthusiasm, it seems difficult to counter the control of web giants over our uses digitals. Nostalgia, however, reminds us to what extent the Quebec web was pioneering and lively in its beginnings.. The Web continues to evolve and news alternatives could still emerge.
Conclusion
In just a few years, our internet habits have completely changed. If nostalgic people miss the user-friendliness of the first emblematic tools of the Quebec web like MSN, The Web of Quebec and Copernicus, global giants like Google et Facebook were able to capture the attention of Internet users and establish themselves over the long term. Although the local web struggles to compete, the future is still open and new competitors could surprise.
