Wander: A Tool to Discover the 'Small Internet' in StumbleUpon Style

London-based developer Susam Pal has introduced Wander, an open-source tool for exploring the "small internet"—home to independent websites, mini-apps, and personal projects. The project draws inspiration from services like StumbleUpon and web rings, which once connected blogs and personal pages. Wander enables site owners to exchange recommendations, creating a network of interconnected consoles.

To use Wander, users only need to upload two files to their site: an HTML page with the console and a JavaScript file to link with other recommended resources. The tool requires no server-side components or databases and can be hosted on GitHub Pages or Codeberg Pages. After setup, visitors see a "Wander" button, which redirects them to a randomly recommended site. Owners can customize the console’s appearance using CSS and JavaScript while maintaining compatibility with updates.

Since its launch, Wander has attracted over 60 users, who have recommended more than 1,500 sites. Examples include a console curating resources from people named Josh or pages styled after the retro Geocities design. According to Pal, the project doesn’t aim to replace traditional search but offers an alternative for those who value creativity and unexpected discoveries online.