Overview
Before the internet, there was the post office. Mail traders copied software onto floppy disks and mailed them across continents. Contact lists circulated in magazines and on disks. A package from Germany might take two weeks but contained treasures unavailable locally. This postal network distributed the demoscene, spread games, and built global friendships.
Fast facts
- Era: 1980s through mid-1990s.
- Medium: Floppy disks by post.
- Decline: Internet connectivity.
- Legacy: Global scene communities.
How it worked
| Step | Process |
|---|
| 1 | Find contacts (magazines, disks) |
| 2 | Write introduction letter |
| 3 | Copy software to disk |
| 4 | Package and mail internationally |
| 5 | Wait 1-4 weeks for response |
| 6 | Receive new software, repeat |
| Source | Content |
|---|
| Diskmag contact sections | Addresses seeking traders |
| Magazine small ads | Classified listings |
| Demo scroll texts | ”Contact us at…” |
| Existing contacts | Network expansion |
Trading etiquette
| Rule | Reason |
|---|
| Reply promptly | Maintain relationships |
| Quality copies | Reliable transfers |
| Original content | Scene productions, not just copied games |
| International stamps | Facilitate responses |
Package contents
| Item | Purpose |
|---|
| Floppy disks | Software medium |
| Letter | Personal communication |
| Disk labels | Organisation |
| Contact lists | Network sharing |
Geographic patterns
| Region | Characteristics |
|---|
| Scandinavia | Strong demo scene |
| Germany | Large community |
| UK | Active but insular |
| USA | Slower postal times |
| Australia | Isolation challenges |
Postal challenges
| Issue | Impact |
|---|
| Customs | Occasional seizures |
| Delays | Weeks of waiting |
| Costs | International postage expensive |
| Damage | Disks sometimes corrupted |
Decline
| Factor | Effect |
|---|
| BBSes | Faster local access |
| Internet | Instant global access |
| CD-ROM | Too large to mail cheaply |
| Email | Free communication |
See also