Remembering ASPSites.com: The Early Hub for ASP Developers
How ASPSites.com Became a Hub for ASP Developers and Inspired My Career
In 1999, I was deep into IT consulting, helping businesses transition to “Fast” Ethernet networks from token ring setups, migrating them from Lotus Notes to Microsoft Exchange Server, and developing custom databases using Microsoft Access. Yeah, I’m that old!
Before I jumped into consulting, I ran a small computer business in North Texas called “On-Site Office.” We specialized in on-site computer services, and I even had a small team of part-time techs to handle the growing workload. Unfortunately, while I was skilled with technology, my lack of business experience caught up with me, and I eventually had to close the doors. It was a tough lesson, but it set me on a path toward something I was truly passionate about.
That passion? ASP (Active Server Pages) development.
How I Found ASP
After wrapping up my business, I dove headfirst into ASP development. I had already been refining my VBScript skills through my work with Microsoft Access, so when Microsoft introduced ASP (classic), it felt like a natural progression. I devoured a few books, practiced relentlessly, and before long, I built my first website.
That site was ASPSites.com.
The Birth of ASPSites.com
ASPSites.com was born out of my excitement for this new technology. It served as a directory of all things related to ASP: from code snippets and full-blown applications to articles and books about ASP development. In many ways, it was like a Yahoo-style directory, but solely focused on ASP, and somehow, it became a popular hub for ASP developers.
What ASPSites.com Offered
ASPSites.com had its fair share of small features, but here’s a look at the core offerings that made it stand out.
At A Glance
My favorite section of the site was called "At A Glance." This section was a quick overview of the best content and resources on the site at any given time. It included:
Featured Sponsor: A text ad rotator where I sold ad impressions. Back then, I used BanManPro to manage ads (sadly, it’s now out of business).
Featured Link Partner: I created a program called DevLinkSwap, where developers could swap links with each other. It was a simple, 1-for-1 link exchange with other developer-related sites.
Best Rated Resource: This showcased the top-rated resource on the site, which could be anything from a code snippet to a tutorial or application.
The Categorized Directory
Everything on the site was neatly organized into categories, each focusing on a different aspect of ASP development. Here are the main categories that ASPSites.com featured:
Applications: A collection of ASP-based applications and web tools. Some were small utilities, while others were full-fledged solutions.
Articles: A treasure trove of tips, tricks, and how-tos covering various aspects of ASP, helping developers at all skill levels.
ASP Web Hosting: Listings of hosting providers that specialized in ASP, offering tailored environments for ASP developers.
Books: A curated collection of books that focused on teaching ASP, whether you were just starting or looking to deepen your knowledge.
Code: Code examples ranging from simple beginner scripts to more advanced ASP applications, all designed to help developers solve real-world problems.
Components: A list of third-party ASP components, many of which could be integrated into projects to extend ASP’s functionality.
Discussion Forums: Links to active discussion forums where ASP developers could exchange ideas, troubleshoot issues, and share knowledge.
General ASP Sites: A catch-all for any other ASP-related websites that didn’t fit neatly into the other categories but were still valuable resources.
International Sites: Resources for ASP developers outside of the English-speaking world, making the site a truly global hub.
Job Sites: A section that linked to job boards and sites where ASP developers could find career opportunities.
Newsgroups: Links to ASP-related newsgroups where developers could engage in deeper discussions and stay updated on the latest industry news.
Reference: A set of sites offering reference material, like documentation and best practices for ASP development.
Services: Various services that could benefit web developers, from tools to specialized assistance in building ASP applications.
Tutorials & Examples: One of the most popular sections, featuring tutorials, examples, and sample projects to help developers learn by doing.
Site Ratings
To add a bit of fun and engagement, I introduced a rating system where users could rate resources on the site with up to 5 smileys. The resources were also categorized by best-rated, most popular, and newest additions, giving users an easy way to discover the top content.
Job Search Integration
I partnered with Dice to embed a job search feature right on the front page. This allowed ASP developers to not only improve their skills but also find job opportunities in the same space, adding practical value to their visits.
What Powered the Site
ASPSites.com was built using classic ASP, of course, with Microsoft Access as the initial backend database. As the site gained more traffic and popularity, I eventually migrated the backend to SQL Server to handle the increased load and ensure better performance.
Reflecting on ASPSites.com
ASPSites.com holds a special place in my heart. It wasn’t just a project — it was the spark that ignited my passion for web development. Through that site, I learned so much about building and maintaining a web presence, and it fueled my interest in software development that continues to this day.
Since then, I’ve moved on to ASP.NET and many other languages and platforms, gaining experience in areas I never imagined back then. But ASPSites.com was where it all started.
A Nostalgic Revival?
Every now and then, I think about reviving ASPSites.com with its original look and feel but built on modern technology like ASP.NET Core. It would be a nostalgic tribute to the early days of web development, and at the same time, a nod to how far we’ve come.
What do you think? Would a modernized version of ASPSites.com be useful today? Let me know your thoughts — I’d love to hear from you.
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