The 2000s was the starting point of the technological revolution, thanks to the rise of personal computers and the Internet. For those who grew up during that time, like the other Batang 90s, you may still remember the popular computer software installed on computers at home, in your parent’s office, in your school’s computer room, or even in the computer shops.
You may also remember that the Internet in the 2000s, especially in the early years, was really slow (some may even require a dial-up connection), but your computer had some cool apps and software installed.
Let’s go down memory lane and reminisce about the time without smartphones and that your desktop computers are all you have through these ten iconic apps.
1. Winamp
Winamp, released in 1997 by Nullsoft, was a popular music player in the late 1990s and the 2000s and has created a cult following of music lovers everywhere. Everyone who wanted to play their downloaded MP3 songs (and other music formats) probably preferred to have their Winamp running over the default Windows Media Player because it felt the music sounded better.
The best thing about Winamp is that you can download plug-ins or choose from the available skins and visualizations to match your preferences. You can even create playlists and organize your music collection. However, it has steadily fallen from grace after the meteoric rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
2. VLC Media Player
Similar to how Winamp became the standard music player in the 2000s, VLC Media Player was also a popular alternative to Windows Media Player for watching videos. Who wouldn’t remember its iconic traffic cone logo and its 200% volume for a louder audio output when movie-watching? However, the use of VLC and other media players has steadily declined due to the rise of video streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.
3. LimeWire
Who wouldn’t remember LimeWire, the best place on the Internet to download apps, music, movies, and videos – but there’s a catch. Depending on what you’re trying to download, there’s a slight to big chance you’re downloading a virus. Still, it didn’t stop users from using the product – primarily because we didn’t have a choice.
LimeWire allowed people, particularly in the Philippines, to gain access to pirated versions of apps and media because they were too expensive at the time. However, LimeWire was eventually forced to shut down its operations in 2010 due to its violations of copyright infringement allegations.
4. Encarta Encyclopedia
Encarta Encyclopedia, or simply “Encarta,” is what we think of Google today, as it allows us to read and research many things. In the 2000s, almost everything was still paper-based, including books and encyclopedias (you probably even owned a set from Grolier’s), so researching was harder and required more time.
At the time, having an internet connection at home was still rare because of its steep price, so even if you have a computer, you probably don’t have access to the Internet, which is why having Encarta was a game-changer for students from all levels. Encarta covered a wide range of topics, from science and technology to history to literature and more.
5. Adobe Flash Player
While we may not remember Adobe Flash Player’s real function, you probably had it installed on your computer before you needed it to play flash-based games, such as Max Dirt Bike, Super Smash Flash, Whack Your Boss, and more. However, with the rise of online and LAN games, the Flash games became less popular.
6. Counter-Strike
There were many great computer games in the 2000s. For LAN, there was WarCraft III (DOTA was still just a mod), StarCraft, The Sims, NBA Live, Battle Realms, and GTA. There were also online games, like Ragnarok, MU, Gunbound, Flyff, and more, but nothing was more iconic in the 2000s than Counter-Strike.
At the time, this first-person shooter (FPS) game could fill local computer shops with young and rowdy players, betting against each other in the “de_dust” map, showcasing their skills and trash talks. However, the rise of DOTA and other online games took away the crown from Counter-Strike.
7. Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer was the most dominant web browser in the 2000s, primarily because it is the default browser on every computer with a Microsoft Operating System (OS). This means you have no choice but to use it, even if you just need to download a new browser.
However, one thing about Internet Explorer is most well-known—its snail-like speed that will take you ages before reaching a website. Soon, newer, faster, and better web browsers entered the market, with Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome taking on most of the market share. Soon, Microsoft Edge succeeded Internet Explorer as the default browser.
8. Windows Office 2003
One primary reason people had a computer at home in the 2000s was for students to do their schoolwork, like essays and presentations. And with that, the software that would best apply during that time except for Windows Office 2003, including the trinity of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
You may also remember Clippy, the AI-like pop-up Windows Office assistant that has wanted to interact with you while you’re typing continuously since 2007 before eventually being removed in the newer Microsoft Office versions.
9. WinRAR
In the 2000s, the Internet was really slow. So, if you want to send a large file, you need to compress it into a ZIP or RAR file – this is where WinRAR comes in handy. This iconic app can compress, extract, and even password-protect your files, especially those containing sensitive information. However, there’s nothing more iconic to WinRAR than its almost life-long “trial period.”
10. Yahoo! Messenger
Before Facebook Messenger, there was Yahoo! Messenger. This app was the go-to instant messaging (IM), video call, and file transfer app in the early 2000s, allowing users to connect with their friends, classmates, and relatives over the Internet.
At the time, Yahoo! was similar to Google, where almost everyone had a Yahoo! account, notably Yahoo! Messenger apps. However, its dominance soon faded with the rise of Skype before the newer messaging platforms, including Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger, ate the market share.
Technology is constantly changing; even the most popular and beloved software and apps are not future-proof and can suddenly fall from grace and popularity. However, like the pioneering apps of the 2000s that disappeared due to newer products and technology, we should also adapt.
What’s your favorite software or games from the 2000s? Share them in the comments below.