Was it really only 25 years ago.

Ah, the old days. My first computer that I connected to a network of any sort was a VIC-20, which was my second computer which I bought in 1981. If I had extra cash I could get access to Usenet message boards via compuserve, or go through a BBS system that involved a long distance call on an extremely slow modem. Fortunately, local BBS systems that didn't charge came around fairly quickly after that, and finally Q-link, which was much cheaper, although it only operated during the evening and night times. By then I had a big bad commodore 128. As I recall, you could download pictures even in the early 80's, they just took a long time and were gif format.

Other than quicker access, and posting updates, I'm not sure I'd say forum type internet communication has changed all that much in the last 35 years. I'm sure moderators on moderated forums might disagree however due to the much heavier usage.