The following warnings occurred:
Warning [2] Undefined property: MyLanguage::$archive_pages - Line: 2 - File: printthread.php(287) : eval()'d code PHP 8.2.17 (Linux)
File Line Function
/inc/class_error.php 153 errorHandler->error
/printthread.php(287) : eval()'d code 2 errorHandler->error_callback
/printthread.php 287 eval
/printthread.php 117 printthread_multipage



RuneScape Community Forums (since 2001)
I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - Printable Version

+- RuneScape Community Forums (since 2001) (https://runescapecommunity.com)
+-- Forum: Off-Topic (https://runescapecommunity.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23)
+--- Forum: Off-Topic (https://runescapecommunity.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=16)
+--- Thread: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram (/showthread.php?tid=170)

Pages: 1 2


I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - W13 - 09-26-2018

Sorry about the clickbait title, but... here's a story that's forgotten in the sands of time...

Like over 10 years ago, I put up an uploader (similar to Imgur) on one of my domains (RuneScapeTop.com). It was just an empty white page with an upload thingy, nothing else. Then I embeded it into the skin of the RSC, so when people were making posts, they could immediately upload and attach pics (similar to attachments in email).

Anyways, just for the heck of it, I made the main page of this uploader website show the last uploaded pic, and clicking on it would show you the one before that, and so on. I added commenting ability below each pic.

Within days, people weren't using the uploader for hosting pics, but instead, they were using the site to kill time by hitting the "next" button. The pics started off being all RuneScape-related but soon took a steep downward turn. It was like if 4Chan had a baby with RuneScape. The traffic was going absolutely nuts. I had to quickly code caching and optimizations to keep the server from buckling under the stress.

Then, one morning, I got a call from my web-hosting company. They said they've detached my server from the Internet and they're about to call the authorities because I was hosting and sharing child porn. I explained to them that it's an image hosting site that anyone can upload anything to. And there's a reporting feature where people can report such stuff and I can go in and remove it (which I regularly did).  The guy on the phone had probably practiced his "I hate child porn" speech before calling and was intent on getting it off his chest before hearing any reasoning. 

In the end, he refused to continue hosting. I also decided to retire the service to avoid a child porn lawsuit. 

And that was it.


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - Wee Man - 09-26-2018

I remember that domain, I didn't know it was yours lmao.


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - Giggity - 09-27-2018

Interesting lol. Probably a good decision in the end retiring the service though.


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - W13 - 09-27-2018

I had some cool ideas for it but never got around to it... like making a GWAP... to recognize image contents and then show them on Zybez below each piece of content with very high degree of accuracy. For example: you can go on a Quest guide and then find a screenshot there of somebody actually doing that quest, or go to a user's page and find screenshots of people talking about that person ingame.

Oh well.


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - True 2k8 - 09-27-2018

i feel like you owned/made everything and we are just now finding out lol


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - The duck - 09-28-2018

Elon Musk: who are you?
W13: you, but stronger


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - Saddam - 09-28-2018

shame you couldnt go anywhere with it, this is one of the main reasons small, innovative companies end up selling out for next to nothing, think youtube and paypal, they can't afford to deal with the regulations and lawsuits


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - Kevin - 09-30-2018

I didn't know you owned that domain. I remember that site.


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - Murdoc - 09-30-2018

(09-26-2018, 06:25 AM)W13 Wrote: I explained to them that it's an image hosting site that anyone can upload anything to. And there's a reporting feature where people can report such stuff and I can go in and remove it (which I regularly did). 
You are literally moot.


RE: I accidentally made Instagram before Instagram - blackspy - 10-03-2018

So... what you're saying is, you invented anonymous child porn sharing before it was cool?