Timeline of file sharing

Most file sharing in this era was done by modem over landline telephone, at speeds from 300 to 9600 bits per second.

Computer memory and speed was very limited, with 33 MHz CPUs only being accessible to consumers at the end of the decade.

FTP, IRC and Usenet were the main vehicles for file sharing in this decade.

Data compression technologies for audio and video (like MP3, AAC and MPEG) came into use towards the end of the 1990s.

Copper wire was common with fibre optic cable only becoming available late in the decade.