The story of WinRAR and legendary applications that still endure
The beginnings of the digital age have left an indelible mark on the collective memory of those born before 1990. The sound of modems connecting, the need to subscribe to additional phone lines to get online, and a myriad of programs that defined the passage of time transport us to a time when personal computing was in full swing. Although many of those programs have fallen into oblivion, some have managed to endure, maintaining their relevance and place in users' routines. This article pays homage to those legendary software applications that have defied the passage of time and remain active today.
WinRAR: The King of Compression and Its Curious Business Model
WinRAR is a true icon among software applications. Launched in 1995 by Russian engineer Eugene Roshal, this program was created at a time when disk space was an extremely limited resource. Its advanced compression algorithm facilitated file size reduction, which was crucial for both storage and data transfer when the internet was in its early stages.
Despite nearly three decades having passed since its release, WinRAR remains an essential program on millions of computers around the world, functioning on operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. The success of this tool lies not only in its functionality but also in a unique business model: a 40-day trial period that, in practice, seems never-ending.
One of the questions this phenomenon raises is how an application survives when the majority of its users do not pay. WinRAR reminds users that their license has expired, but it does not prevent the use of its main features. This flexibility has led most users to opt against seeking pirated versions, ensuring the application's widespread distribution. In reality, WinRAR's business model focuses on the enterprise sector. Organizations are obligated to use licensed software to avoid legal penalties, leading them to purchase volume licenses, thus maintaining the program's profitability. The cost of an individual license is around $29.
This approach has established WinRAR as a symbol of internet culture, generating numerous memes about its "infinite" trial period. More recently, developers have begun marketing merchandise, such as t-shirts and caps, taking advantage of the cult status the software has achieved.
Despite the existence of free and open-source alternatives like 7-Zip, many users continue to prefer WinRAR due to its intuitive interface and advanced features, such as repairing damaged files and creating self-extracting archives.
Other Legends That Refuse to Disappear
WinRAR is not the only software that has managed to survive since the golden days of software. Below are other programs that have left an indelible mark on the history of computing and that, in one way or another, still persist.
Winamp (1997)
Before the arrival of Spotify and iTunes, Winamp was considered "the best (and most colossal) player your computer could have." Launched in 1997, it was known for being fast, lightweight, and, above all, for its customization capabilities through popular "skins" that any user could design. Though it has lost market share, Winamp remains available for those who wish to reminisce about the "good old days" of digital music.
ICQ (1996)
The name ICQ comes from the phrase "I Seek You" and has stood out as one of the first major internet messengers. With its iconic flower logo and famous "uh-oh" alert sound, it was developed in 1996 and subsequently acquired by AOL in 1998 for a considerable sum. Although ICQ was surpassed by competitors like MSN Messenger, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, it continues to offer its services, even though the golden age of the application is now behind it.
Napster (1999)
Napster is considered the first major P2P (peer-to-peer) file-sharing network in history, allowing millions of users to download music from their favorite artists. It peaked in 2001 with 26.4 million users but was sued for copyright infringement. Today, Napster has evolved, merging with Rhapsody as a subscription music service, adopting a model very different from the one that made it famous.
These programs, along with others like Encarta or the Windows Pinball, are an integral part of the history of personal computing. They are categorized as "legacy systems," representing outdated technologies that, although no longer at their peak, still serve a purpose or remain in collective memory. They testify to the fact that quality software, backed by an intelligent strategy and a loyal user base, can defy the passage of time and achieve digital legend status.
In conclusion, while some programs have disappeared, others have adapted and remain relevant. WinRAR and its contemporaries are a reminder of how technology has evolved, and at the same time, of the nostalgia they evoke. To learn more about the historical impact of these and other applications, readers are invited to continue exploring this blog.
