The real internet, is long gone.

[NightskyeB4Dawn]

we drew a cock and balls on it for the giggles.

I remember being on UseNet where you couldn't speak in the presence of the Authorities On The Subject.

I made a years long effort of putting one of those forums in its grave. Still visit every year or two to leave fresh flowers. The main reason I won't go back to TOS.

I used "The Well", PC Link, Q-Link, Usenet, and Nexis, back in the day, all thanks to CompuServe.

Nexis was great, until it became too expensive.

Communicating was more of a "Jumping Jack Flash" experience then, a soul integrating experience. Back then everyone was who they said the were,  and they didn't try to hide. Biggest down side was the speed, and the packets were not cheap.