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I run a couple similar sites:

FileFormat.Info[1] has a page per codepoint. It has been around awhile, so the UI isn't as whizzy, but it has all the data and works w/o JavaScript

UnicodeSearch[2] is an updated search UI that uses JavaScript and the excellent Tabulator grid widget.

There are actually a ton of similar sites with a page-per-codepoint. It is all fun to make one, until the bots come along and hammer every page.

[1] https://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/2248/index.htm

[2] https://www.unicodesearch.org/





Long time fileformat.info user. here, just wanted to say thanks -- always found it incredibly useful for this exact purpose.

Same here, it is a tool that I reach for infrequently but when I need it it's always proven invaluable.

1. Enthusiastically try fileformat.info

2. “141 TCF vendor(s) and 69 ad partner(s) want to track you”

3. Exit :-(


I get where you are coming from, and have put some thought into it.

I built the site over 20 years ago, and while it was fun to make, I wouldn't have maintained it this long if is was costing me every month.

I've tried to minimize the intrusiveness: I disabled the pop-up and interstitial ads and I don't serve anything different to people with ad-blockers. And I've stuck with Google Adwords, despite requests from all sorts of questionable alternatives.

I'm not sure about the future: bots are causing all sorts of trouble, and the ad revenue is trending down and is now less than break even.


Isn’t it just a bunch of static pages? You can get that hosted for free.

There wasn't free hosting in 2003 when I first made it. I have thought about converting it to static, but it would be a complete rewrite, and there is always some other new shiny thing to play with instead.

The newer things I'm doing (like UnicodeSearch.org) are static, though I don't like forcing everyone to have JavaScript enabled.


Is there any free static hosting that has lasted longer than a few years?

I love fileformat.info, thank you so much for it!

I know it probably won’t amount to a lot, but have you tried asking for donations? I love seeing websites I regularly use doing that and not just relying on ads.


I’m glad to hear it’s helping you keep the costs down - that’s positive. It’s the type of popup that triggers my allergy - which as allergies go is mostly my problem.



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