RetroWikipedia:About

RetroWikipedia:About

From RetroWikipedia

About RetroWikipedia

Preserving Digital History One Byte at a Time.

RetroWikipedia is an initiative of Vanguard Media LLC, operating as a collaborative digital archive dedicated to documenting the evolution of computing and technology from the 1970s through the 2010s. The project focuses on preserving the stories and artifacts of early hardware, software, individuals, companies, publications, and cultural phenomena associated with retro and vintage computing.

RetroWikipedia is not affiliated with Wikipedia or the Wikimedia Foundation in any way. We do not claim endorsement or sponsorship from them, nor do we use any of their logos, infrastructure, or policies. Our name reflects our purpose—to document the history Wikipedia often overlooks or excludes—*not* to imitate or mislead.

Legal Standing and Name Use

The use of the name *RetroWikipedia* is protected under U.S. and international trademark principles, specifically:

• Nominative fair use—where no confusion is caused and no endorsement is implied.
• Editorial independence—we operate as a distinct, original research-friendly archive with a different scope, purpose, and community.
• Clear differentiation—our site, branding, and editorial guidelines differ intentionally and explicitly from Wikipedia.

We believe the public has a right to alternate documentation efforts, especially when mainstream platforms fail to preserve culturally and technically significant material.

Mission and Purpose

RetroWikipedia was established to address the growing need to preserve retro computing history in a format that is both accessible and inclusive. Where traditional encyclopedic platforms may impose bureaucratic constraints or exclude contributions deemed “non-notable,” RetroWikipedia welcomes the voices, artifacts, and details that shaped computing’s golden eras—even if they don’t fit into narrow editorial standards.

Our mission is to safeguard the legacy of digital technology through comprehensive documentation. By chronicling everything from foundational innovations to modern retro-revival efforts, we aim to ensure this living history is not lost to time.

Scope of Coverage

RetroWikipedia's coverage spans a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Influential individuals and computing pioneers
• Technology companies and nonprofit organizations
• Hardware (e.g., home computers, workstations, calculators, gaming consoles)
• Software (e.g., operating systems, productivity tools, computer games)
• Programming languages and development tools
• Vintage and retro computing magazines
• Instructional books and technical manuals
• Early internet history, including bulletin board systems (BBS)
• Modern retro computing projects and hardware initiatives
• Events, expos, and the return of major retro brands like Commodore, Atari, and others

Community Involvement

RetroWikipedia is a community-driven platform. The collective expertise, enthusiasm, and archival efforts of contributors are foundational to its success.

Ways to contribute include:

• Sharing RetroWikipedia within retro computing communities, forums, and social media
• Creating or improving articles
• Uploading scans, photographs, or technical documents
• Donating legacy hardware or software artifacts

Monetary support is also appreciated via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/RetroWikipedia

How to Participate

RetroWikipedia welcomes contributions from anyone with an interest in technology history. Creating an account and verifying an email address is required to edit pages—this helps maintain quality and deter spam.

Whether you're a hobbyist, historian, developer, educator, or enthusiast, your participation helps preserve an important chapter in the evolution of digital technology.

Contact Information

• Website: https://retrowikipedia.com
• Email: hello@retrowikipedia.com