This is a post covering the content included with the Freeserve 7.0 2001 Sign Up CD-ROM as part of the Shovelware Showcase series.

Overview

This is another example of a Freeserve ISP sign-up CD-ROM. This edition is from 2001 and includes Version 7.0 (not sure exactly what that means as Internet Explorer 7 wouldn’t be released until 2006, and Freeserve’s web browser is simply a rebranding of Microsoft’s web browser). This CD-ROM is a great example to show the bridge between the very simple presentation from 1999 to the full blown multimedia experience in 2002. This CD-ROM does feature a Macromedia Flash based menu system but there is no voice guidance or video animations (excluding the basic intro animation).

Utlimately there is little different here to previous or future iterations – as with its siblings this CD-ROM includes a branded copy of the latest version of Internet Explorer at the time, and includes other related applications such as Outlook Express. The most interesting part however is the inclusion of the third party software titles on this CD-ROM, some of which were strangely absent in the 2002 edition. Namely the inclusion of RealPlayer which for anyone who experienced the world wide web in the 2000s knows how having RealPlayer installed on your computer was a must for viewing multimedia content (certainly streaming radio). The Freeserve Webphone application makes an appearance again too, yet again it is non-functioning due to needing internet activation which currently fails.

The most interesting part of the third party software offerings is the inclusion of Worlds 3D Chat. This is an early 3D chat room wherein members of the public can congregate in a virtual space and talk with one another. The software is similar to that of SecondLife, PlayStation Home or for a more current example VRChat. Why this software is interesting is that the servers are still on-line meaning you can not only connect, but also register for a new account using sign-up forms of the period. When I entered the world of Worlds 3D I didn’t find much of anyone, however I did explore a few additional worlds internally such as music to see what they were like. The Worlds 3D universe is certainly trapped in time with adverts, logos and promotions existing inside the 3D space for websites, services and products of the era. The graphic style of the game is more akin to Quake or the first Deus Ex game in quality and although I hunted to find some kind of audio experience the only voice I heard was from an NPC which was ultimately rather compressed. The fact that this software still runs, connects to the internet and is still playable online while using Windows 98SE (admitedly in a virtual environment) is truly outstanding. Hopefully it will stay around for the foreseeable future for people to log in and wander around. I looked on YouTube to see how popular the software was and there appear to be a few dedicated fans still using the service. The most popular video on YouTube would be that from Lets Player’ Vinesauce, you can check out his video below.

Vinny – Worlds Exploration” description=”One of the most bizarre “games” I’ve ever played. Literally a relic from the internet’s past; exploration yielded some… unexpected results.” upload_date=”20120203″ duration=”12M29S” /]

Packaging

Packaging consists of a standard size CD cardsleeve made from a thick glossy paper which folds out into a gatefold presentation. Various parts of the packaging are die-cut. A small booklet which folds out to provide various bits of promotional information about the service.

Identifiers

The sleeve has an identifier of Version 7.0 09/01.

The CD-ROM has an identifier (matrix ring) of 98618 FREESERVE 10B.00.

Contents

The CD-ROM is filled 229 MB out of a possible 700MB.

The featured items of software are:

• Internet Explorer 5.5

Software

Images, Audio and Video

There are no multimedia files of note included on the CD-ROM.

Miscellaneous

A HTML based help guide exists under the Help directory on the CD-ROM, a copy of which can be found here.

A copy of the CD-ROM in ISO format can be found here on Archive.org.

Images

This is a post covering the content included with the Freeserve Anytime “Internet Starter Pack” CD-ROM as part of the Shovelware Showcase series.

Overview

Here is a later example of a Freeserve Anytime (their top tier package) sign-up CD-ROM from 2002. In comparison to the example I have written about from 2000, not too much has changed. The main thing is that this comes in what I consider to be the most infuriating packaging possible – a non-standard sized case. The CD-ROM serves much the same purpose as the one from 2000 – it includes a lot of promotional content on the packaging to entice you to sign up with Freeserve and the software included on the disc is rather mundane. This edition includes the then newest edition of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (version 6), Outlook Express 6, an update to SP6 for Windows NT systems, the Microsoft Java VM software and Freeserve’s branded webphone software.

Most of the CD-ROM’s contents is taken up by a series of multimedia guides that use Macromedia Shockwave Flash to help new users get online. This was becomming a common way of providing assistance to computer users in the early 2000’s as it was ultimately a lot more enjoyable than reading pages upon pages of text. The Flash based intro guide lasts for just over 10 minutes and I have gone to the trouble of recording it inside a VM so you can witness it in all it’s 2002 glory (although I should have probably run it under Windows XP instead of 98).

Packaging

Packaging consists of a Amary branded plastic keepcase that is approx 14 cm wide, 2 cm deep and 12 cm tall. This fax box keep case has a full colour paper inlay which wraps around the left side of the box. Inside is a single disc holder to which the CD-ROM is seated.

Identifiers

The inlay has no identifier.

The CD-ROM has an identifier (matrix ring) of FRE V2.15e.03 and is pressed by DOCdata UK.

Contents

The CD-ROM is filled 304 MB out of a possible 700MB.

The featured items of software are:

• Internet Explorer 6

Software

Images, Audio and Video

The CD-ROM is filled with many Shockwave Flash files (.SWF) which are components for the interactive guides found on the CD-ROM.

There are a lot of image files under the help directory which as as components for the HTML web guides.

Miscellaneous

A HTML based help guide exists under the Help directory on the CD-ROM, a copy of which can be found here.

A copy of the CD-ROM in ISO format can be found here on Archive.org.

Images

This is a post covering the content included with the Freeserve “Free Unlimited Internet Access” 1999 Sign Up CD-ROM as part of the Shovelware Showcase series.

Overview

This is a standard issue Internet Service Provider (ISP) sign-up disc, of which this example is very traditional. The included help file confirms (under Frequently Asked Questions) that this CD-ROM would have been made available from retailers Dixons, Currys, PC World or The Link.

The CD-ROM is traditional in the sense that it does not contain a lot of much value – it simply includes a copy of Internet Explorer (in this case v4.5) which has been modified with Freeserve branding. When installing it will also give you the options to install other Microsoft Internet based applications such as Outlook Express and Microsoft Chat.

The most interesting parts of these ISP discs is usually the packaging itself, providing a window into early Internet acccess. This red, blue and yellow affair informs hits us with a lot of free promotions such as Free registration and subscription, free UK content, free unlimited email addresses and free 15mb web space. The first two seem a little redundant as nearly every ISP in the history of the internet has free registration because they want your custom. Also the part about free content seems alien to us these days, but was probably a necessary clarification for new adopters as most information required payment – magazines, newspapers, books three examples who’s impact would be serverely dampened by the wonder of the internet. Free email addresses also is a misnomer, as Freeserve would give you as many webmail accounts as you like – yet it would seem novel to have such a new service as email for free. Lastly the 15MB of free web space seems insanely small in todays world of giga and terabytes but this was from a time when websites (or homepages) were considerably small. Unforunately we can’t register for an account anymore, not only because this CD-ROM is over 20 years old and things have changed considerably since – but Freeserve went defunct a year after in 2000 and would completely ceast to exist in 2004 (following a merger with Wanadoo, then Orange and finally EE).

Packaging

Packaging consists of a standard size CD cardsleeve which folds out into a gatefold presentation, all sides of which are fully printed in colour. The CD is accessible by opening the gatefold and is stored in the rear most compartment, which has an opening on the left edge.

Identifiers

The sleeve has an identifier of AH_02_99.

The CD-ROM has an identifier (matrix ring) of 87738 CD ROM :1 :5 : 16.

Contents

The CD-ROM is filled 37 MB out of a possible 700MB.

The featured items of software are:

• Internet Explorer 4.5

Software

Images, Audio and Video

The only image files of note are a few graphic components such as logos which act as part of the sign up process.

There are no audio or video files of note.

Miscellaneous

A help file exists which assists with getting connected to the Freeserve servers.

A copy of the CD-ROM in ISO format can be found here on Archive.org.

Images