RetroGate Website

The official website for RetroGate — a macOS proxy server that lets vintage Macs and PCs browse the modern web.

Stack

• PHP 8.3 — Because sometimes the classics are classic for a reason
• HTML/CSS — With zero JavaScript frameworks (we practice what we preach)
• Vanilla JS — A sprinkle of interactivity, FAQ accordions, and a Konami code easter egg

Structure

retrogate-website/
├── index.php              # Landing page
├── manual.php             # Full user manual
├── faq.php                # Frequently Argued Questions
├── contact.php            # Contact form + Guestbook
├── download.php           # Download page
├── includes/
│   ├── header.php         # Shared header + navigation
│   ├── footer.php         # Shared footer
│   └── antispam.php       # Contact form spam filter (honeypots, signed timestamp, content checks)
├── assets/
│   ├── css/
│   │   └── style.css      # All styles (retro + modern)
│   └── js/
│       └── main.js        # Minimal JS (FAQ accordion, counters, Konami code)
├── downloads/
│   └── MANUAL.md          # Downloadable manual
├── .gitignore
└── README.md

Design Philosophy

The website embraces a "retro meets modern" aesthetic:

• CRT scanlines and phosphor glow effects
• Amber/gold color palette reminiscent of vintage terminals
• VT323 pixel font for headings mixed with Playfair Display for editorial elegance
• ASCII art computer illustration
• Scrolling marquee (because it's 1997 and we can)
• "Under Construction" banner (permanently)
• Fake visitor counter (generating random numbers since 2025)
• Konami code easter egg (↑↑↓↓←→←→BA)

Running Locally

# PHP built-in server
cd retrogate-website
php -S localhost:8000

# Then open http://localhost:8000

Deployment

Any PHP 8.3+ hosting will work. Apache, Nginx, or even a Raspberry Pi (ironic, since RetroGate itself requires macOS).

The live site is synced with deploy.sh (rsync over SSH). It deploys only what is committed at HEAD, mirrors the repo on the server, and never touches data/ (visitor counter, anti-spam secret). Server host, user and path live outside the repo in ~/.config/retrogate-website/deploy.env.

./deploy.sh --dry-run        # preview
./deploy.sh                  # deploy HEAD
./deploy.sh --install-hooks  # auto-deploy after every commit or merge on main

Best Viewed With

• Any modern browser (we're not that retro)
• But spiritually best viewed with Netscape Navigator 3.0 at 800×600

License

GPLv3 — same as RetroGate itself.

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This website weighs less than a single modern cookie consent banner.