Internet

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The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private and public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope that are linked by a broad array of electronic and optical networking technologies. The Internet carries a vast array of information resources and services, most notably the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the infrastructure to support electronic mail.

The internet made it easier and quicker for magicians to communicate and share information. First by email, then by Bulletin Board Systems and finally by forums, wikis and other social network capabilities in the 2000s.

No longer did magicians have to wait on monthly magazines to find out about the latest news or tricks.

1980s

Usenet is one of the oldest computer network communications systems still in widespread use. It was conceived in 1979 and publicly established in 1980 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, over a decade before the World Wide Web was developed and the general public got access to the Internet.

The articles that users post to Usenet are organized into topical categories called newsgroups, which are themselves logically organized into hierarchies of subjects. For instance, sci.math and sci.physics are within the sci hierarchy, for science. When a user subscribes to a newsgroup, the news client software keeps track of which articles that user has read.

Magic enthusiasts started alt.magic on Usenet. Web-based archiving of Usenet posts began in 1995 at Deja News with a very large, searchable database. In 2001, this database was acquired by Google.

Alt.magic is still active but mostly filled with spam at http://groups.google.com/group/alt.magic/topics.

1990

By the beginning of 1990 private forums started to be created. Early Internet forums could be described as a web version of a newsgroup or electronic mailing list (Usenet) allowing people to post messages and comment on other messages.

MAGIC! - The Global Magicians Network

Magic! was a private Bulletin Board System (BBS) strictly for magicians to engage in both private and double private chats. It brought hundreds of conjuring related aficionados together via the modem. Ran by the System Operator (Sysop) Dave Lichtman. participants grew to be around 1,000 and included Max Maven, T.A. Waters, Max Abrams, Pete Biro, Tommy Wonder, Tabby Crabb aka Tabman, Paul Kozak, David Williamson, Charlie Randall, Bill Wells, Frank Zak, Paul Cummins, Steve Bryant, Mac King, Wittus Witt, Jamy Ian Swiss, Ron Wilson, Gary Plants, Jim Sisti, Michael Ammar, Jeff Busby, Harry Blackstone, Jr., Geno Munari and Dante Larsen.

It ran from 1990 - 1997.

1991

SpiderNet

SpiderNet was a free service to magicians by Richard Robinson. It contained a SAM On Line section for current SAM and SYM members and was moderated by Craig Dickson. The IBM International conference was available to IBM members and was moderated by Tabman Crabb. Spider Net has been granted permission to convert the materials originally published in Hocus Pocus magazine in the 1970's to electronic format to be made available as free downloads to Spider Net users.

1993

The introduction of the NCSA Mosaic web browser, one of the first graphical web browsers – led to an explosion in web use.

Brad Burt's Magic BBS

Brad Burt's Magic BBS was up and running, which included online shopping.

Ring 2100

Ring 2100 was charted by IBM as the first virtual organization for that group. The list of the original charter members were: Max Abrams, Pete Biro Anthony Blake, Jerry Burton, Stephen Cabral, Tabby Crabb, Dave Knapp, David Lichtman, Jon Lucke, Stacey MacKenzie, David Luther, Glen McFerren, Geno Munari Jim Nagel, Charlie Randall, Keith Raygor, John Scanlan, Bruce Sandercock, Lee Thompson, David VanVranken, Bill Wells, Lesley V. J. Manning.

Ring 2100 was a subset of the MAGIC! membership, only MAGIC! members could participate. This became an issue when an IBM member got banned from the MAGIC! and thus was restricted from also participating in Ring 2100. That was one of the reasons they eventually broke away.

They are now close to 1,000 members.

1994

Linkingpage.com and MagicNewswire.com

The original version of the current website produced by Dodd Vickers was first online in 1994 at an old school (pre-domain owning) address of http://www.netdepot.com/~gargoyle. It was hosted at that address because I was one of the founding partners in that ISP which was among the first in Atlanta to offer dial-up services and high speed dedicated connections for businesses.

It stayed that way until late 1996 when I registered the domain name Linkingpage.com but still managed to be recognized as one of the top 100 sites of the year by "The Net" magazine.

Today it is MagicNewswire.com providing the latest news and interviews for the magic community

1995

Microsoft responded with its browser Internet Explorer in 1995 (also heavily influenced by Mosaic), initiating the industry's first browser war. By now Magic shops started getting online.

GeMiNi

Joe Steven's Greater Magic Network (GeMiNi) from Stevens Magic Emporium was introduced at the 1995 Desert Seminar in Las Vegas. The initial list consists of Bill Wells, T. A. Waters, Pete Biro, Tom Mullica, Mike Close, Karrell Fox, Carol Roy, Stephen Youell and Eric Brad.

GeMiNi had an impressive listing of members who were able to exchange information on various topics and addition to the BBS portion; there were new weekly columns from a variety of respected magic icons. Also included were convention reviews, product reviews, interviews, and chat sessions. GeMiNi’s operating budget was far in excess of the revenue’s that were brought in by the annual $20 membership dues but then, it was never launched to be a money-maker but a way to give something back to the industry that has provided SME success. After 5+ years of operation, the decision was made to pull GeMiNi due to changes in the industry and take the energy and focus it in other areas of SME. Pat Hennessy was the system operator for GeMiNi.

Virtual Magic Shop

Virtual Magic Shop http://www.magical.com/secrets

Bishop's magic shop

Bishop's magic shop released it's online catalog through America Online or via a disk by mail. This specially-produced catalog program takes the hassles out of buying magic. Simply choose items from the catalog with a "click of your mouse;" the program automatically keeps a running total of your order - and it even fills out the order form! EASY TO ORDER! With your modem and Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card, you can order the latest tricks and books 24 HOURS a DAY - 7 DAYS a WEEK! Or use our convenient 24 hour phone and FAX order lines. PLUS! FREE ROUTINES INCLUDED

Robinson Wizard's

Robinson Wizard's Universal Electric wide-band web site brings you the best in magic on the Internet's World Wide Web -- typeset, full color and with digital movies and sound to download.

http://www.uelectric.com/magicshow.html Magic Show, the first interactive magic magazine, has reviews, tricks, news, and exciting special features including a ditigal movie editorial.

The All Magic Guide to magic on the World Wide Web includes hot links to the best magic sites throughout the world. http://www.uelectric.com/allmagicguide.titml

The international directory of professional magicians complete with photos, biographies, and booking information. http://www.uelectric.com/magicstars/mstars.htnil

The Little Egypt Gazette

In 1995, Steve Bryant launched a 40-page monthly web magazine for magicians called The Little Egypt Gazette. Although he retired the magazine in 1997, after 24 issues, he still maintains a monthly web column, Little Egypt Magic.

1997

Genii Magazine

Genii Magazine started a web presence.

The Second Deal

Jason Alford's website, The Second Deal. {http://www.theseconddeal.com) consisted of serious cardmen who regularly communicate on a bulletin board.

In June of 1997, The Second Deal (TSD) was created and named by Mark Aspiazu. Jason Alford was in charge of TSD when schedule conflicts took most of Mark's time. At one point, there were over 600 members. A decision was made to change TSD to a subscription-based page on November 1, 1998. In March of 1999, 20 close-up magicians from around the world gathered in New Orleans at the first annual TSD Convention.

1998

MagicTalk

MagicTalk "The Official Discussion Board for Magicians" Bryan Dean ran the Electronic Forum MagicTalk. Bryan closed MagicTalk in 2007 to pursue other interests, namely hypnotism. On June 1, 2009, Bryan re-opened MagicTalk with John Pyka.

magic.about.com

Near the end of 1998 Bryan Dean was host starting in 1999 for a number of years Wayne Kawamoto took over around 2005.

2000

Jon Rachembaumer Web Site

Jon Rachembaumer entered cyberspace with his own part free and pay site. This website, comparatively speaking, is a free zone for magicians primarily interested in close-up and card magic. Although I find the bromidic notion that "information wants to be free" is a congenial one, part of the allure of "insider magic" is its exclusivity and relative secrecy.

Therefore part of this site is password protected and a nominal fee is levied for maintenance purposes. Paid members will have access to the sections named Tricks, Re: Views, Essays, Provenance, and Archive. The most valuable section will be the Archive, which will eventually feature a robust database comprised of sleights and subtleties, including complete manuscripts, and discounted e-books.

The free zone will remain free, offering substantial information in the Freebie section. We hope you enjoy this zone and appreciate the trade offs.

This foray into cyber-sharing is experimental. Nevertheless, I want this "place" to provide value to every user. I want it to be a vital nexus, a textual "hive" of shared ideas, and an interesting, speedy way for us to mutually share what we profess to love and value.

2000

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtOfAstonishment/?yguid=75091509

A members only group is dedicated to discussing Paul "close-up kinda guy" Harris. You needed to own all 3 volumes of Art of Astonishment (or at least all of the books that make up AoA) to join this group

A routine from his "Art of Astonishment" series used to be periodically selected to review, discuss, provide variations, handling tips, etc.

2001

MagicCafe

Steve Brooks started the MagicCafe "Magicians helping magicians" Aug 20, 2001.

Magic Lineage Project or Geniiology

http://www.lybrary.com/mlp/

2002

The Magic Reference Pages

http://magicref.tripod.com/ by Doug Atkinson.

1. Magic References: This page provides links to the various bibliographic reference pages for effects such as the Linking Rings, Color Changing Knives, and more. Each page provides a listing of Books, Videos/DVDs, and Products that reference the specific effect.

2. Magic Book Contents (Table of Contents, or TOC) Listings: This page provides an index to hundreds of magic book table of contents listings. This will help you search for an effect in the books you own, or to browse the contents of a book before buying it. This section will only grow with your help.

3. Magic Articles: Should Christians perform magic? A Biblical perspective. Beginners: an article to help you get started Technical Notes: information about the layout of these pages

4. How to Submit: Do you have a magic book not listed here? I'd love to post the table of contents listing? This page provides you information on the general formatting I recommend.

5. Magic Links: links to many magic shops offering books and products related to the effects featured on this page.

2003

Conjuring Arts

The Conjuring Arts Research Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of magic and its allied arts, which include psychic phenomenon, hypnosis, deceptive gambling, mentalism, ventriloquism, juggling, and sleight-of-hand techniques. Currently, Conjuring Arts functions primarily as a research library, of over 11,000 book and magazine titles, dating back to the 15th century and representing multiple languages. However, the library itself is only the first in a long list of roles Conjuring Arts plays. By providing its holdings, online database, semi-annually published journal, and performance component to the public, Conjuring Arts strives to preserve the rich histories and traditions of this ancient performing art.

Conjuring Arts was established in 2003 and has quickly become a relevant cultural and academic space. Created, in part, to encourage in-depth scholarship devoted to the subject, it has evolved into a resource for performers, historians, writers, collectors, producers of television and film projects, and the general public. With its ever growing library of books and periodicals, Conjuring Arts developed, and continues to maintain, an expansive collection of magic related material. Housing both research materials and various rare conjuring antiquities, Conjuring Arts provides a magical opportunity to more fully understand the history and complexities of one of the world's oldest professions within the context of contemporary life.

2004

TheMagicfiles

Cameron Roat from TheMagicfiles

magicbooks

http://www.magicbooks.be/ The first purpose of this forum is to gather information about magic books ! The idea came because lot of books lack references. Members only.

2006

Itricks.com

The goal of itricks.com is to bring to you the latest news and information from the world of magic.

Justin Young Editor-in-chief

Andrew Mayne Publisher

magic historian wiki

http://www.magichistorian.com/ started by Paul Draper, Gary Darwin, Acar Altinsel, and Maxwell Murphy.

2007

MagicPedia

October 2007

http://www.artefake.com/

French magic reference site

References

This page incorporated content from Internet, a page hosted on Wikipedia. Please consult the history of the original page to see a list of its authors. Therefor, this article is also available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

• Magic Networks: Hype or Hope by Jon Racherbaumer in Magic, April 1995.
• Cyber Sessions by Jason Alford.
• http://questx.com/magic!/history.html
• http://web.archive.org/