Sportschan

Sportschan (sportschan.org) is a niche anonymous imageboard dedicated to sports discussion. It serves as an "alt-chan" alternative to mainstream boards like 4chan's /sp/, using modern imageboard software to host a variety of sports-related and general-interest boards. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain sportschan.org was first registered on December 22, 2018. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured the site on December 26, 2018. Launch: The site officially went live in late December 2018, appearing as part of a wave of "specialty" imageboards that launched using the Vichan or Infinity software engines (alternative software to 4chan’s Yotsuba). 2. What is the site? Sportschan is a community-run anonymous forum (BBS) where users can discuss professional and amateur sports. Alternative Culture: It was founded to provide a space for sports fans who wanted the "chan" style of communication (anonymity, image sharing, thread-based discussion) but desired a different community atmosphere or moderation style compared to larger sites. Technical Build: It uses Vichan/Infinity, which is favored by many "alt-chans" for its customizable themes and modernized user interface. It is often cited in developer documentation for imageboard archivers (like Hayden) as a primary example of a high-performance Infinity-based site. Content: While primarily focused on sports, it follows the traditional imageboard structure by including "off-topic" boards for general culture, gaming, and international discussion. 3. What does the name mean? Sports: Refers to the primary subject matter and the site's original intended focus. Chan: Short for "channel," the standard suffix for imageboards (derived from 2channel and 4chan). Sportschan: Effectively translates to "The Sports Imageboard." images from 1-2026

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TF2Chan

TF2chan (tf2chan.net) is a long-running anonymous imageboard and community hub specifically dedicated to the Team Fortress 2 (TF2) fandom, with a primary historical focus on "slash" (male/male shipping) fanworks. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain tf2chan.net was first registered on January 23, 2008. Official Launch: The site officially launched and celebrates its "birthday" on January 25, 2008. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured a snapshot of the site on January 26, 2008, just one day after its public launch. 2. What is the site? TF2chan was created as a "safe haven" for Team Fortress 2 fans, specifically those creating adult-oriented or "slash" fanart and fanfiction. The Problem it Solved: Before 2008, TF2 shipping content (like "Sniper/Spy" or "Heavy/Medic") was frequently flamed, mocked, or deleted on mainstream platforms like 4chan's /v/ (Video Games) or Valve’s own Steam forums. TF2chan provided a dedicated space where these creators could post without harassment. Community Culture: The site is famous for its "tough love" attitude and historically strict "no anime and no furries" policy. It developed its own unique subculture and memes, most notably "DICKS EVERYWHERE," a phrase and visual "raining dick" gif overlay that was added to the site in 2013 as a humorous response to "normies" complaining about the abundance of adult art on the board. Historical Impact: Many influential artists and writers in the early TF2 fandom (often called "Big Name Fans" or BNFs) got their start on TF2chan. It was the primary driver of TF2 fan culture for many years before the community partially migrated to Tumblr, Twitter, and Discord. 3. What does the name mean? TF2: Stands for Team Fortress 2, the 2007 team-based shooter by Valve that the site is centered around. Chan: Short for "Channel," the standard suffix for imageboards and anonymous forums (derived from 2channel and 4chan). TF2chan: Effectively translates to "The Team Fortress 2 Imageboard." 4. History and Context The site has survived several "eras" and major events, such as the "Crocosnipalypse" in 2010 (a massive moderator drama and community exodus) and several server migrations. While it is less active today than during its peak in the early 2010s, it remains online as a legacy archive and a small, dedicated community space. image 1-2026

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Tranchan

Tranchan (tranchan.net) is a niche anonymous imageboard specifically dedicated to the transgender community. It serves as a community-focused alternative to the "trans" subcultures. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain tranchan.net was first registered on July 6, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured the site on July 28, 2021. Launch: The site officially went live in July 2021. It was established during a period when many transgender users on 4chan (specifically those on the /lgbt/ board, often referred to as "tttt") were seeking a dedicated space away from the broader site's toxicity and "raiding" culture. 2. What is the site? Tranchan is an anonymous imageboard designed for transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. The Content: The site is divided into several boards, including general discussion (/gen/), transition advice (/hrt/), fashion (/fa/), and art. It functions as a support network and a social hub where users can discuss the technical, medical, and social aspects of transitioning. The Culture: While it shares the "chan" vernacular (using terms like "anon," "newfag," and various slang specific to the 4chan /lgbt/ diaspora), it generally aims to be more community-oriented. It provides a space for "doomer" venting, "hoping" (positive posting), and sharing progress photos in a semi-protected anonymous environment. Technical Build: The site uses modern imageboard software (similar to Vichan or LynxChan) that allows for features like thread watching and various "themes" (CSS) to change the site’s appearance. 3. History and Context Tranchan is part of a broader movement of "identity-specific" boards that emerged in the early 2020s. For years, the transgender community on the "big chans" (like 4chan and 8kun) existed in a state of constant friction with the sites' general user bases. Tranchan was created to preserve the unique, fast-paced, and anonymous "chan-style" of communication while ensuring the community had a platform they could control and moderate themselves. It is often linked to the "4tran" or "tttt" subculture, but it acts as an independent lifeboat for those who want the culture without the exposure to the rest of 4chan's ecosystem.

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Trashchan

Trashchan (trashchan.xyz) is an independent, anonymous imageboard that leans heavily into the "underground" or "trash" aesthetic of early internet subcultures. It is part of the "Small Web" or "Indie Web" revival, positioning itself as a less restricted alternative to larger, more moderated boards. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain trashchan.xyz was registered on February 17, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first successfully crawled the site on March 11, 2021. Launch: The site likely went live in late February or early March 2021, appearing as a small community for "refugees" from other boards that had either shut down or increased their moderation. 2. What is the site? Trashchan is an anonymous BBS (Bulletin Board System) that utilizes the classic imageboard format (similar to Vichan or Tinyboard software). The "Trash" Aesthetic: The site intentionally embraces a "low-effort" or "grungy" visual style. It often features dark themes, retro graphics, and a self-deprecating tone. Content: It is known for having a very loose moderation policy, focusing on "free speech" and "shitposting." It hosts boards for general discussion, technology, anime, and various fringe internet subcultures. Community Culture: It is a hub for users who enjoy the raw, unpolished nature of the "Old Web." It often intersects with the "Cyberpunk," "Hacker," and "Doomer" aesthetics, where users share obscure media, software, and personal manifestos. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a combination of two common internet terms: Trash: A self-deprecating label used by many niche internet communities to describe their interests or themselves (e.g., "trash-tier," "garbage-post"). It signifies a rejection of "polished" or "normie" mainstream culture. Chan: The standard suffix for imageboards (derived from 2channel and 4chan). xyz: The .xyz top-level domain is often chosen by modern, independent, or "disruptive" web projects because it is affordable and distinct from traditional .com or .net domains. Trashchan: Effectively translates to "The Trash Imageboard" or "A Channel for Junk." Images from 1-2026

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TVChan

TVCH (tvch.moe) is a niche, modern "live imageboard" that blends traditional anonymous forum culture with synchronized media streaming. It is often referred to in the community as "TVchan." 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain tvch.moe was first registered on August 15, 2021. First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured a functional snapshot of the site on August 17, 2021. Launch: The site went live in mid-August 2021. It was created as a modern alternative to older "sync-watch" sites (like Cytube) but designed specifically for the anonymous imageboard (chan) aesthetic and user experience. 2. What is the site? TVCH is a Synchronized Media Board. Unlike a standard imageboard where users post static images and wait for replies, TVCH is "live." Synchronized Playback: The site features a video player at the top of the board that plays content for everyone at the exact same time. This creates a "broadcast television" experience for the internet. Anonymous Chat: Below the player is an imageboard-style thread where users post anonymously in real-time. This allows for "watch-along" events, where a community can watch an anime series, a movie, or a "weird-core" video loop together while commenting. User-Driven Programming: Users often have the ability to suggest or queue videos, or "DJs/Broadcasters" manage the stream for the day. It is highly popular within the "webcore," "breakcore," and niche anime subcultures. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a straightforward abbreviation following "chan" naming conventions: TV: Stands for Television. CH: Stands for Channel. moe: The TLD associated with anime and "cute" internet culture. TVCH: Effectively translates to "TV Channel Moe" or "The TV Channel Board." It reflects the site's goal of being a digital television channel for the anonymous "moe" community. 4. History and Community Context TVCH emerged during a period when many "Small Web" enthusiasts were looking for ways to replicate the "communal viewing" experience of early 2000s internet television. It is built on custom or highly modified imageboard software designed to handle real-time updates without the user needing to refresh the page. The site is frequently used for "marathons" of obscure media, niche Japanese broadcasts, and experimental music videos. It is considered a "next-gen" imageboard because it prioritizes the live, ephemeral experience over the long-term archiving of threads. Images 1-2026

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Counter Board

Vastalauta.org is a prominent Finnish anonymous imageboard that emerged as a major alternative to the country’s dominant board, Ylilauta, following a period of community dissatisfaction. 1. Key Dates and Registration Domain Registration: The domain vastalauta.org was registered on September 5, 2023. Launch: The site launched in late 2023 (September/October), quickly gaining traction among the Finnish "nyymi" (anonymous) community. Wayback Machine: The first functional captures began appearing in late 2023, documenting its rise as a "refugee" site for users leaving other platforms. 2. What is the site? Vastalauta is an anonymous imageboard (BBS) similar in structure to 4chan or 2channel, but specifically tailored to the Finnish-speaking internet. The "Refugee" Context: The site was created primarily as a protest against Ylilauta.org after that site introduced a "Gold Account" (Kultatili) system in October 2023, which restricted access to old threads and added more commercial elements. Vastalauta positions itself as a more traditional, "free," and community-focused alternative. The Aesthetic: The site is heavily themed around the Finnish Sauna. The boards, terminology, and visual elements all lean into this cultural staple. The main general board is named /saunainen/ (Sauna-like), and posters are often referred to in the context of sauna-goers. Content: It covers a wide range of topics including Finnish politics, news, anime, and general internet subculture. It maintains the "Old Web" imageboard spirit with a focus on anonymity and raw discourse. 3. What does the name mean? The name is a clever Finnish pun with two primary layers: Vasta: This is the Eastern Finnish word for a sauna whisk (a bundle of birch branches used for whisking/massaging the skin in a sauna). In Western Finland, it is called a vihta. Lauta: This means "board," the standard term for an imageboard (derived from the Finnish tradition of Kuvalauta, Ylilauta, etc.). Counter-Meaning: The prefix Vasta- in Finnish also means "Counter" or "Against" (e.g., vastarinta means resistance). Combined: Effectively, the name translates to "Whisk-board" (fitting the sauna theme) while simultaneously meaning "Counter-board" (signifying its role as the counter-culture alternative to the mainstream Ylilauta). Tagline: The site's motto, "Lauteet oksatonta leppää" (Benches of branchless alder), refers to the high-quality wood used for premium sauna benches, implying the site is a "high-quality" place for discussion. Images from 1-2026

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