When we waited for those three words

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
We state that Scuttlebutt Sailing News was first launched in 1997, though admittedly that is our best guess. When something isn’t supposed to be anything, you’re not making notes. Yet, we’re still here as we learn that AOL is shutting down its dial-up internet on September 30.

I am not sure what’s harder to believe – people still used dial-up or we’re still here.

AOL, formerly America Online, introduced many households to the world wide web for the first time when its dial-up service launched decades ago, rising to prominence particularly in the 90s and early 2000s. We all waited for the iconic voice to announce “You’ve got mail” which helped get Scuttlebutt rolling.

Do you remember the beeps and buzzes heard over the phone used to connect your computer online — along with frustrations of being kicked off the web if anyone else at home needed the landline for another call, and an endless bombardment of CDs mailed out by AOL to advertise free trials.

It seemed like magic at the time, as was our ability to share sailing news rather than waiting each month for the print magazine. And we’re still doing it, but if you’re feeling nostalgic, there’s always the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.