It costs less to buy a web site domain name (.com) than it does to eat dinner, so whenever something hits me as sounding like a good web site, or even if it just has a good ring to it, I’ll buy it. The overhead of a web site is not a domain. Heck, it’s not even the hosting where you store all the files. It’s the labor involved, both the design and the nuts & bolts. But since that’s what I do the overall overhead for web sites is extremely low.
As if you couldn’t tell, I’ve been on somewhat of a retro gaming kick lately. Mostly good old Nintendo, the 8-bit variety. It’s become almost a passion at this point and certainly one of my new vices. I read a lot of blogs and come across a lot of web sites and forum posts discussing 8-bit gaming and the culture that surrounds it. Recently whenever I’ve come across an interesting link or site I’ll write about it here or in the forum, which has quickly turned this site in a retro gaming web site. I guess that’s fine and all, but I figured having a nice, organized place for all the 8-bit stuff I find on-line would be a good idea.
I thought to myself that there must surely be a portal site for old 8-bit gaming. I tried to find one with a little Googling but the quest resulted in mostly fan sites dedicated to old Nintendo. These are great and all, but some are less than pleasing to find stuff on and even they tend to veer from classic gaming and into the realm of newer games. I’m just looking for the articles, photos, media, and whatever else that revolves around the 8-bit gold standard.
Thus I announce the latest of my web site venture - 8BitLinks.com
And as the name might suggest, it’s just a bunch of links that lead to destinations focused on 8-bit items, whether it be the NES, Gameboy, or other things that revolve around the 8-bit “culture” as it were.
I’ve dumped many of my favorite 8-bit related links on the site already, but the success of the site will depend on visitor participation. So I ask all visitors to please share your own favorite 8-bit links. There is a convenient form on the web site where you can submit single web site addresses. There’s even a more convenient bookmarklet that you can add to your browser and click whenever you’re on an 8-bit web site - no form to fill out.
All the links submitted get to me eventually (for now) and get screened before they are added to the “big list.” My initial plans for the site involved a database, some sort of e-mail system, and approval system. But very soon into that thought process I stopped myself (which is rare) and opted for the simplest approach. No databases, nothing dynamic, just me copying and pasting links people send me. If links start to pour in then I’ll consider a different management technique, but for now this will do.
So I invite you to visit 8bitlinks.com and check it out. Pass it along to your gamer friends and if you are a gamer yourself, please submit your favorite sites or at least add the bookmarklet to your browser. That when you’re out and about and think “hey, the old gamers would like this,” just click the button and be on your way. No fuss, no muss.
If you happen to be a gamer with a web site or forum, please contact me using the e-mail address on the 8bitlinks.com web site so we can do some more involved link swapping or banner sharing. Things are still evolving at this point…can you say “ground floor?” Ha.
Anyway, check it out. I appreciate your humoring me.
