Thex-files.com
| Website | |
|---|---|
| Name: | thex-files.com |
| Owner/Maintainer: | FOX |
| Dates: | 1995(?) - October 2003 (original run), 2008 - present (semi-active) |
| Type: | resource site, official website, message board |
| Fandom: | The X-Files |
| URL: | http://thex-files.com/ (defunct) |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
thex-files.com in the X-Files fandom also known as OS, was the official FOX website for the show which was accessible via http://www.thex-files.com/. Since The X-Files can be considered the first internet-based fan base, this site may be one of the first official website on the internet and may also have been huge factor for the creation of an international online fan community.
Now devoid of any of the former content, it contained the official episode guide and background information on the episodes, character profiles, the Official X-Files Message Board and often exclusive multimedia content like videos. It also featured news during and until the end the original run of the X-Files. Chats with creator Chris Carter[1] were fans could ask questions were also part it.
The first wayback machine entry for thex-files.com is from October 22nd 1995 and it became defunct around October 2003 when all content was removed from the page and only a grey page was displayed. After that, FOX used the domain to showcase the show's DVD and VHS home entertainment releases.
It's successor is currently https://www.fox.com/the-x-files/ (where a visitor from the domain thex-files.com/ is forwarded to ) that contains some promotional material for the show during it's revival in 2016 and 2017 and around the release of the second X-Files movie, I Want To Believe.
The rest of the time, FOX usually lists the available DVD and Blu-ray box sets under this domain.
Legacy
During the original run of The X-Files, the official site was the source for information about information about The X-Files. Especially fans outside the United States used the page's content for spoiler, since due to dubbing in other languages, the seasons were usually released about one year later than in English speaking countries. The OS was also one way to learn about the official episode titles, since episode of the earlier seasons didn't have been given titles yet.
The site's message board was on of the largest and most active discussion boards around the show.
The predecessor: X-Files Online
In August 1994, internet service provider Delphi which was owned by the same parent company as FOX launched X-Files Online where X-Philes had the possibility to chat with some of the the creator and writerss of the show via a bulletin board. Fans could also learn about the The Official X-Files Fan Club and order official merchandise from the show. According to a feature from 1994, 10,000 people logged in at one night to talk about the show. The website also offered downloadable still, episode guides and articles about the show as well short trailer videos in .mov format.
Showrunner Chris Carter attended a on-line chat for the first time on September 23, 1994.[2]
Page also offered links to alt.tv.x-files and alt.tv.x-files.creative.
Links
Further Reading
- The X-Files: A History of the Fandom by Matt Allair, November 9th 2015