Type of site | Freeware/shareware archive of old software versions |
---|---|
Available in | English |
Created by | Alex Levine, Igor Dolgalev |
URL |
www |
Registration | Optional (to post on forum). |
Launched | May 31, 2001[1] |
Current status | Up |
OldVersion.com is an archive website that stores and distributes older versions of primarily Internet-related IBM PC compatible and Apple Macintosh freeware and shareware application software. Alex Levine and Igor Dolgalev [2] founded the site in 2001. [1]
Levine created the site because "Companies make a lot of new versions. They're not always better for the consumer." As reported in The Wall Street Journal, 'Users often try to downgrade when they find confusing changes in a new version or encounter software bugs, or just decide they want to go back to a more familiar version,' said David Smith, an analyst at research firm Gartner. 'Often, they discover that the downgrade process is complicated, if not impossible.' [1]
When OldVersion.com was launched it offered 80 versions of 14 programs. [2]
By 2005, over 500 versions were posted. [3]
By 28 August 2007, this had grown to 2388 versions of 179 programs, in categories such as "graphics", "file-sharing", "security" and "enterprise". [4] [5] The site also carries 600+ versions of 35 Macintosh programs. [6]
In 2007, PC World labeled the site "a treasure trove ... of older-but-better software"; [7]
In 2005, National Review called OldVersion.com a "champion" for "software conservatives". [8]
According to Alexander Levine's own words, he has received threats from proprietary software developers for distributing obsolete internet browsers, in particular, Internet Explorer which is difficult to support. [9]