Browservice (Retro Browser Proxy)
Browservice — Modern Web for Retro Machines
Browservice is a web proxy that renders modern websites and serves them as simple HTML with images, allowing vintage browsers to display pages they could never handle natively.
Access
- URL: http://browse.ring.nekotopia.io:8088/
- Requires: Active Torus VPN connection (any tier — Basic, Plus, or Pro)
- No login required
Browservice is permitted through the Torus firewall on all hubs. DNS resolves automatically when connected — no extra setup needed.
How It Works
- Open
http://browse.ring.nekotopia.io:8088/in your retro browser - You'll see a simple address bar
- Type any URL and Browservice renders it server-side using a modern Chromium engine
- The result is sent back as basic HTML with inline images that any browser can display
This means your IRIX Netscape Navigator, Windows 3.1 Internet Explorer, or OS/2 WebExplorer can browse modern HTTPS websites including those with JavaScript-heavy frameworks.
Supported Retro Browsers
| Browser | Platform | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Netscape Navigator 4.x | IRIX 6.5 | Works well |
| Internet Explorer 3-5 | Windows 95/98/NT | Works |
| Mosaic | Various | Works (basic) |
| Lynx / Links | Terminal | Works |
| WebExplorer | OS/2 | Works |
| Dillo | Linux | Works well |
Limitations
- No JavaScript interactivity — Forms and links work, but dynamic page updates don't
- Rendering lag — Each page load requires server-side rendering, so there's a delay
- No streaming media — Video/audio content won't play
- Session cookies — Login sessions may not persist between page loads
Use Cases
- Browse documentation sites from vintage workstations
- Check modern web services from retro machines
- Access GitHub, Stack Overflow, or other reference sites
- Show off your SGI or vintage PC at retro computing meetups
Technical Details
- Engine: Headless Chromium via CEF
- Runtime: Docker container on the platform infrastructure host
- DNS:
browse.ring.nekotopia.io(resolves automatically on the Torus) - Port: 8088
- Resource note: Browservice uses significant memory when rendering complex pages. Avoid leaving many tabs open simultaneously.
Troubleshooting
Can't reach browservice
First verify your VPN is working by visiting http://echo.ring.nekotopia.io. If the echo service works but browservice doesn't, try the IP directly: http://10.255.9.241:8088/. If neither works, see Connection Issues.
Page loads slowly or times out
Browservice renders pages server-side using a full Chromium engine. Complex pages (JavaScript-heavy SPAs, large image galleries) take longer. Try simpler URLs first.
Browser shows garbled output
Some very old browsers struggle with the HTML Browservice generates. Try adjusting the quality settings in the Browservice address bar (lower quality = simpler HTML).