It can be that place, if you want it - just stay away from the walled gardens, use free software, don't fall for the ephemeral gratification of having the newest and latest and fastest gadget. Use a PC running a free unix or a mobile device running a Google-free AOSP-derivative and you'll zip around the 'net at speeds unimaginable in 'those days'.
You won't find as many 'home pages' as back then, in that sense the likes of Facebook have done real damage, true. The sheer expansion of the 'net means you'll find plenty of interest outside of the gardens anyway so instead of pining for days long past I'd suggest to gear up for the here and now and for days to come when the blight of Facebook and their ilk are nothing but bad memories.
You won't find as many 'home pages' as back then, in that sense the likes of Facebook have done real damage, true. The sheer expansion of the 'net means you'll find plenty of interest outside of the gardens anyway so instead of pining for days long past I'd suggest to gear up for the here and now and for days to come when the blight of Facebook and their ilk are nothing but bad memories.