Hello world!
In 1996 our first web server with a 2Mbit / s dedicated line went into operation in the Zurich wine country. A 486 workstation from Siemens-Nixdorf with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 as the operating system and the Microsoft Internet Information Server 2.0 served as the basis. Our internet gateway was knitted and ran on a small 386 computer with SuSE Linux 4.2.
Tom Hürlimann in the server room with the first webserver (left hand)
Netcult.ch was registered
The domain was registered on April 19, 2000 and has been owned since then. There was free hosting for the promotion of young Internet talent right from the start. At the time, it seemed sensible and logical, considering the privileged situation of the fast Internet connection, to make it easier for colleagues and friends, as well as strangers worldwide, to get started on the World Wide Web - and that without advertising.
The motto at the time: Feel Free, Be Free, Host Free ! ;)
The first, still readable copy of the website dates back to 07th of September 2002.
Off to the first apartment
At the turn of the millennium, with my driver's license in my pocket, I moved into my first (attic) apartment in Pfungen. The server infrastructure could continue to be operated, but cable installations from the Internet provider were necessary. The state just moved into the recruiting school for a few months, the server farm fortunately held up without any noteworthy problems. At that time, four servers were in operation: an internal Active Directory server, a Fedora mail server, a Windows 2000 web server and, in turn, a home-made firewall, also on Fedora Linux.
The former home of netcult.ch in Pfungen.
Turbulent times
After a detour to Diessenhofen in Thurgau and a change of provider connected with it, my focus moved to Bülach in the Zurich Unterland shortly thereafter. The operation of netcult.ch was financially difficult - in case of need, a friend of a travel agent in Kloten, who was a friend, offered to host the server farm with him. Thanks to this support, netcult.ch has never been offline all the years and has been in constant operation.
Netcult.ch's 10th birthday
The servers of netcult.ch celebrated their 10th birthday in exile in Kloten. The netcult.ch team started with friends in Ellikon am Rhein.
'Bring them home'
After around 10 years in exile in Kloten, the travel agency had to file for bankruptcy and netcult.ch had to find a new home. Back to the roots: Order internet lines, set up server rooms and the move of the infrastructure to your home could take place. Somehow the servers and I was glad that we had each other again. The concept has remained unchanged since the turn of the millennium: web server based on Microsoft Windows, mail server based on Linux (meanwhile CentOS) and a firewall also based on Linux (meanwhile FreeBSD).
thuinformatik GmbH
On November 11th, 2014 thuinformatik GmbH was registered in the commercial register. The foundation stone for further growth was laid. While netcult.ch has been a non-profit project in recent years, the service should move into a professional environment. The business with hosting and cloud offerings should be operated in addition to the core business. The customers of thuinformatik GmbH should be able to receive all necessary services from a single source. So decided, the business of netcult.ch was started to be integrated into the newly founded thuinformatik GmbH. The legal process was completed relatively quickly, and the completion of the technical integration was announced in summer 2017.
Office in the old town of Bülach
An office in the beautiful old town of Bülach. Projects are created in the midst of beautiful timber-framed buildings and we provide support for our customers. Visit us at Rathausgasse 4 in 8180 Bülach - welcome.
View of the town hall in Bülach, behind the Rathausgasse.
5 years of thuinformatik GmbH
Time flies, it has been five years since thuinformatik GmbH was founded. At this point, a big thank you to the loyal customers for the trust they have placed in us and the good cooperation at all levels.
I am looking forward to the next stage with all partners and suppliers!
Netcult.ch's 20th birthday
Psssst... The time has not yet come, but the 20th anniversary of netcult.ch is approaching in big steps. Further information follows.