Digital Sovereignty - Own Your Content Reason Number 429
I used to write/publish photo stories at Exposure.co. It’s a nice website, and it’s a great place to see other people’s work, but it locks your content and locks you into paying every year to have access to your content. I’ve had a good engagement over there. I only have four stories there, but they each have 33,000+ views, which is a lot for my work. With that being said, I don’t do the things that I do for views, clicks, or money.
I’ve been moving my digital life to cliff538.com and have downloaded my data for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Today, I focused on Exposure. How much does it cost a year? Can I download my stories? Do I want this anymore? Keep or delete.
Over the years at Exposure I’ve been paying $99/year, the lowest tier now is $149/year. I decided to export my content and move it to cliff538.com. Well, guess what, you can’t. The only export option is a PDF, only if you pay for Pro Plus, which is $319/year. If I want to export PDFs of my photo stories, I’ll have to upgrade my account, download the PDFs, and close my account. But, they throw in some nice warnings; if your stories are over a specific size, you have to be on the business plan at $999/year to export your PDFs. Two, they warn you that the PDFs may not even look good due to pagination issues and that they are working on it.
PDF exports don’t help me much because I need to build a web page to recreate my photo stories. This makes me unhappy and reinforces why I’m making this move. Own your content, control where it is, and have full backups. Don’t be locked into price increases, a lack of export options, or business failures.
So what to do? Well, I’m stuck; luckily, there are only four medium-sized stories. I have all the photos; I used Obsidian Web Clipper to clip the pages, which gives me the text between the pictures. Reimagining the stories into web pages for my blog will be time-consuming, but the beauty is that it will be the last time. I’ll control how it looks and where it lives.
I thought about just deleting it but the stories really do have meaning for me. They are from a different time in my life. I wouldnt write the stories the same way today or use the same pictures (some of the HDR makes me cringe) but back then I did, and sometimes it’s good to see where you came from.
Note: below, you will read A.I. taking a crack at giving you reasons and risks. It’s polished, clean, and well done, but it feels soulless and generic, like reading a technical manual. I may be a lousy writer, but at least it’s real; it tells my story. I’m leaving the A.I. stuff just because it’s good info, a little novel, and maybe just a little bit for posterity.
(warning A.I. written text below)
The Risks of Relying on Third-Party Platforms
If you’re publishing your work exclusively on platforms like Instagram, Medium, or Facebook, you’re playing by someone else’s rules. While these platforms provide convenience and exposure, they come with significant risks:
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Platform Dependency: What happens if the platform changes its algorithm, shutters its services, or bans your account? In 2024 alone, over 60% of creators reported revenue losses due to algorithm changes.
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Monetization Barriers: Platforms often take a significant cut of your earnings. For instance, YouTube takes up to 45% of ad revenue, and Instagram’s monetization options are pay-to-play.
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Data Ownership: The data you’re generating—your audience insights, contact lists, and engagement metrics—belongs to the platform, not you. They profit from it while you’re left in the dark.
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Censorship and Restrictions: Platforms can impose restrictions on what you publish, often limiting creativity and expression. If your content doesn’t align with their guidelines, it can be removed or suppressed.
The Benefits of Owning Your Platform
By running your blog or website, you remove the middleman and take full control of your content and audience. Here’s what you gain: 1. **Full Creative Control**: Publish what you want, how you want, without fear of censorship. 2. **Data Ownership**: Collect and control your audience data directly, enabling better relationships and monetization strategies. 3. **Longevity**: Platforms come and go, but your self-hosted blog can remain online indefinitely, ensuring your creations outlive any trend or corporate decision. 4. **Custom Branding**: Unlike third-party platforms, your blog reflects your unique identity, free from distracting ads or conflicting branding.Debunking the Technical Barrier Myth
Many creators hesitate to start their blog because they fear it’s too technical or expensive. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Modern tools like WordPress, Hugo, and Micro.blog make self-hosting more accessible than ever. Here’s a simple roadmap to get started: 1. **Buy a Domain**: Use a registrar like Hover.com to purchase a custom domain for as little as $10/year. 2. **Choose a Hosting Platform**: Services like SiteGround, Micro.blog, or Netlify offer affordable options. 3. **Start Writing**: With pre-built templates and easy-to-use tools, you can be up and running in a matter of hours.The Numbers Don’t Lie
The shift toward self-hosting is gaining momentum: - **45% of creators** plan to invest in self-hosted platforms by 2026. - **70% of internet users** express concerns about how platforms handle their data. - **Domain registrations for personal websites** rose by 30% in 2023.Call to Action: Own Your Digital Future
Owning your content isn’t just about control; it’s about building a digital future that belongs to you. Stop renting your ideas on platforms that profit from your creativity. Start your own blog today, and take the first step toward true creative independence.Here are some resources to get started:
Your creations deserve a permanent home. Give them one.
A Trip Home ~ Kings and Sawdust
A visual story post over at Exposure from 2015 - A Trip Home ~ Kings and Sawdust
First New Years Resolution: Bringing Music Back.
Just arrived in the mail today after a long journey across the ocean and a much delayed, confused, and convoluted time in Customs… One of my New Year’s resolutions was to bring music back into my life. Over the years, I’ve played trumpet, harmonica, and guitar. Many years have passed, and it’s time to have a music outlet again. Let the Handpan adventures begin… this beautiful hand-made handpan is handmade and from Meridian Handpans in Bristol, UK.
Do you know if this has been the case for a while or if it’s just due to the popularity boom? @numericcitizen
Trying out a new HEPA 13 & Carbon Combo Filter from Voxel for the Bambu X1 Carbon 3D Printer. Always in search of reducing particles/smells from printing. #3D-Printing
The funniest things pop into your head; Do you remember buying nails by the pound… they’d be in a big box with that claw hook device to scoop them out into a brown paper bag. You’d weigh them on the hanging scale that was always close by, and write the weight on the bag. Good memories. #scratch-pad
‘Public Domain Day 2025 in Literature - Blog’ 🔗 Standard EBooks / standardebooks.org
Books by William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Mahatma Gandhi, and John Steinbeck enter the U.S. public domain
In the early 90s, at a Dewline station at -40F on the North Slope of Alaska, A Canadian company chartered us for weeks while they fully automated the Dewline stations. I’m sure it was mixed emotions for the hardy, brave souls who lived at and cared for these sites to watch them be automated. I wonder how many went to the tropics after that!
I always find these facinating;
Mastodon Users: 11,817,591 accounts +324 in the last hour +6,156 in the last day +31,583 in the last week
Looking for thoughts, concerns and ideas in relation to deleting yourself off a social service. Delete your whole account? Delete all your posts and keep account alive to preserve and prevent your user name being used?
Not that anybody is clamoring to use cliff538 but I’ve had it for 35+ years I’ve always made accounts just to preserve the username. Something to even worry about?
Nice winter storm moved through DAL yesterday, my first two flights cancelled this morning, so far my 11am is holding together. DFW was shut down yesterday for awhile due to lack of de-ice fluid for the runways. Going to be lots of chaos the next few days…
Progress! Added a “cliff538 Photography” page with links to photo sets (only one set as of now), But I like the way @manton has built this in. You can adjust the photo sets with custom CSS, and the large viewer is really nice. The only set right now is Land Yachts, if you don’t know what a Land Yacht is, check it out.
One of my favorite things to do is that little window of time after you finish a book and that exploration of your To-Read pile to find that next book… I enjoy it so much, It can take several days to make the pick. #simplethings
Working on my blog:
- I’m amazed at how much work is involved in having a light & dark theme(I can see why folks just have a dark theme only).
- Blown away with how powerful CSS is, you throw a little HTML in and the rest is all CSS and it can just do amazing things.
- I need to take some JS classes.
Does this ever bring back memories! My first one was the Honda 110.
Growing up, we rode three-wheelers every day all year long. Over the years, we had the Honda 110, 185, 200, 200X, and finally the 250R, which was scary fast. It was a blast riding on frozen lakes in the winter. I will never forget those times.
In shop class, we learned how to rebuild the motors and, of course, put in higher compression pistons to increase horsepower. Oh, and that dreadful youthful phase of liking loud exhaust pipes…
Our local dealer in town always had brand new ones sitting on the showroom floor, we would go in an and dream about saving enough money from working in the Summer fishing that we could get a new one..
Then, in my twenties, going up North to work, nobody had cars; it was all three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and snowmachines. Honda made the most incredibly reliable engines. People would tear those things up over the years, do very maintenance, and they just kept on going year after year.
It was a little sad to watch the three-wheelers phase out and be replaced by the four-wheelers, which were not as fun. I do understand, though. I know the accident rate was high with the three-wheelers, but that was mostly user error, not being properly trained in the limitations and idiosyncrasies of the machine, and riding one way too powerful for your skills. Growing up, with all the riding we all did, nobody was seriously hurt by them, but we had plenty of auto accidents/deaths.
Some final facts from Wikipedia:
Honda’s dominance in the ATC market peaked in 1984, with 370,000 units shipped and a 69% market share. In 1985, Honda offered their most diverse lineup, with ten models available. However, due to safety concerns, production of three-wheelers was voluntarily ceased by all manufacturers by 1987.  These models played a significant role in popularizing ATCs and contributed to the development of the modern ATV industry.
Sadly, this is mostly how you find them now:
Sad news… I’m a big fan of daily bootable backups and consider them essential.
🔗 It’s Time to Move On from Bootable Backups - TidBITS (Adam Engst / tidbits.com)
The latest installment in the story of how bootable Mac backups will eventually disappear started with a blog post by Shirt Pocket Software’s Dave Nanian
Where Do You find Books To Read
This has been a struggle for me in the past. I often found myself running out of books and searching for something new to read, which led me to browse bookstores. Each visit is a wonderful experience; independent shops have a unique charm, often showcasing local authors, and the smell of books is irreplaceable. However, there were times when I left empty-handed, without anything that sparked my interest.
To tackle this, having a collection of online tools for discovering books is essential. Here are some ideas that may inspire you.
Now, I face a new challenge: a to-read list that keeps expanding, which is, in fact, a wonderful problem to have. I used to feel overwhelmed by this, but I’ve learned to embrace the reality that countless books will always remain out of reach. That’s why it’s so important to focus on reading what you love. Don’t linger on a book that feels just okay; there are countless extraordinary stories waiting for you. And don’t let that ever-growing pile of unread books weigh you down; it’s always there with your next book!
I will continue to add to this list with your suggestions and any helpful resources I come across. Please email or comment with your favorites, and I’ll include them.
Updated January 23, 2025 from Somewhere in Arizona
Major Platforms
Five Books - They ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview. This site has an archive of more than 1700 interviews and 8000 book recommendations. They publish at least two new interviews per week.
The Millions - A great online publication devoted to books. Check out The Great Fall 2024 Book Preview as a good place to start.
100 Best Books of the 21st Century - NYT Gift Article
The Best Books of 2024 - The New Yorker
NYR Of Books - The New York Review Magazine is over my head and usually out of my wheelhouse, yet I still enjoy it and find it helpful. Although I usually only read one or two articles, the ads are mostly for books, and It’s been a great place to find new books that I would never have ordinarily seen.
New Books To Read in 2025 - Penguin Random House. It also has a good weekly newsletter about their books.
Red Pen Reviews - Expert nutrition book reviews that sort fact from fiction
GoodReads - Amazon company
StoryGraph - A fully-featured Amazon-free alternative to Goodreads
Personal Sites & Blogs
Derek Silvers - He does a good job blogging about the books he’s read.
Trey Hunner - Has a great 2024 recap on his books and audiobooks.
The Library of Alexandra - I just found this via microblog and am looking forward to exploring it.
Social Media
For myself, this is just Mastodon and the newly found Micro.blog. After you acquire a group of people you enjoy following, it can be a great place to see what they are reading and why.
Micro.blog - Really is amazing for book ideas and reviews. In your Discovery feed, you can filter by books and see what everybody is reading and their book reviews. I’m new to it, but it looks like a gold mine!
Podcasts
It’s a great place to hear interviews with authors, or you can search your podcast player for book review podcasts.
If Books Could Kill - I haven’t listened to many of them, so I’m unfamiliar with their general theme and structure, but it might be worth checking out.
Friends and Family
I reached out to a small group of friends and said let’s have a texting group where we text about the books we enjoyed and recommend. This has been an excellent source.
Community Driven
Literature Map - Type in an author, and it will show you other similar authors.
BookWyrm - BookWyrm is a social network for tracking your reading, discussing books, writing reviews, and discovering what to read next. Federation allows BookWyrm users to join small, trusted communities that can connect with one another and with other ActivityPub services like Mastodon.
Library Thing - A Home For Your Books, LibraryThing is a free, library-quality catalog to track reading progress or your whole library.
What Should I Read Next - Enter a book you like, and the site will analyze the huge database of real readers' favorite books to provide book recommendations and suggestions for what to read next.
r/books - Reddit
Literal* - Track what you’re reading, follow friends, and join clubs to collectively explore the ideas of the world’s greatest authors. I don’t use this site because the same features are built into Micro Blog, but it looks excellent for tracking your lists: Currently Reading, To Read, and Read, making custom Bookshelves, and reading other people’s book reviews. If I didn’t have Micro Blog, I’d be here.
Library Tools
OverDrive/Libby - Free ebooks, audiobooks & magazines from your local library.
You only need a public library card or access through your workplace or university. Always free - no fees or subscriptions.
Free EBook Sources
Standard EBooks - Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven effort to produce a collection of high quality, carefully formatted, accessible, open source, and free public domain ebooks that meet or exceed the quality of commercially produced ebooks. The text and cover art in our ebooks are already believed to be in the U.S. public domain, and Standard Ebooks dedicates its own work to the public domain, thus releasing the entirety of each ebook file into the public domain. All the ebooks we produce are distributed free of cost and free of U.S. copyright restrictions.
Soon, you’ll have a huge To-Read Pile!