I have a question about the creation of information-related websites that I would like to discuss.
The reason I am bringing this up is because I came across a website that had valuable and specialized information, but unfortunately, the person who maintained it passed away.
As a result, when the domain and hosting were left unpaid, the website disappeared and only some of the information was available in search engine caches or web archives, if at all.
So, I thought about a way to preserve knowledge without being dependent on capitalists who could take down the website if payments are missed.
Currently, one option is to create a blog, but then the question of whether to use a standalone platform or a hosted one becomes irrelevant, as platforms like blogger.com, lj, or wordpress are suited for transient content, rather than long-lasting preservation.
Another option is social networks like Facebook, but they also have their limitations and anonymity concerns, since different users share similar names and interfaces, reducing trust in the source.

Therefore, my question is: how can we create a source that can live forever and avoid these disadvantages?
The ideal solution, in my opinion, would include:
1. A free and permanent subdomain from a reputable provider like Yandex or nic.eu.org.
2. Free and permanent hosting, for example, using GitHub Pages or Blogger.com.
3. Linking the domain to the chosen hosting service.

Additionally, services like netlify.com or surge.sh can be explored, although their long-term viability is uncertain.
There is also the option of hosting on cloud storage platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive, although convenience may be a concern.

Overall, I am curious to hear your thoughts on how you would approach this task.

Creating a source that can live forever and avoid the disadvantages you mentioned can be challenging. While there may not be a perfect solution, here are some thoughts on how you could approach this task:

1. Use a reputable domain provider: Choosing a reputable domain provider like Yandex or nic.eu.org is a good start. This can provide some assurance of stability and reliability for your subdomain.

2. Consider self-hosting: Instead of relying on third-party platforms, self-hosting your website can give you more control and long-term viability. Hosting platforms like GitHub Pages or Blogger.com can be considered, but it's important to monitor their long-term sustainability and terms of service.

3. Utilize web archiving services: Services like the Wayback Machine from the Internet Archive can help preserve web pages even if the original site goes offline. You can also proactively archive your own website periodically to ensure its availability in the future.

4. Explore decentralized solutions: Technologies like the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) aim to create a distributed and permanent web, reducing dependency on centralized hosting. Exploring such decentralized solutions might be worth considering for long-term preservation.

5. Back up your content: Regularly back up your website's content to multiple locations, including cloud storage platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive. This can provide an additional layer of protection against data loss.

6. Leverage community collaboration: Encouraging others to make copies of your website's content and distribute it can help ensure its longevity. Collaborating with like-minded individuals or organizations can also increase the chances of long-term preservation.

7. Open licensing: Consider using open licenses like Creative Commons, which allow others to freely share and distribute your content while ensuring appropriate attribution. This can encourage wider dissemination and increase the chances of long-term preservation.

8. dоcument your website's setup: Make sure to dоcument the technical details of your website's setup, including domain registration, hosting configuration, and any other dependencies. This dоcumentation will be useful for others who may want to maintain or replicate your website in the future.

9. Engage with online communities: Participate in online communities focused on knowledge preservation and archiving, such as forums, mailing lists, or social media groups. These communities can provide valuable insights, suggestions, and collaboration opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

10. Periodically update and review your content: Regularly check your website for broken links, outdated information, or compatibility issues. Updating and maintaining your content ensures its relevance and usability over time.

11. Consider multiple language translations: If your information is available in multiple languages, it can potentially reach a wider audience and have a better chance of being preserved by different communities.

12. Educate others about the importance of preserving information: Raise awareness about the importance of preserving valuable knowledge and share best practices with others. Encouraging others to take similar initiatives can have a positive impact on the long-term accessibility of information.

13. Explore distributed hosting solutions: Look into decentralized hosting platforms like IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) or DAT Protocol. These technologies distribute content across multiple nodes, making it more resistant to censorship or single point of failure.

14. Create a community-driven platform: Consider building a platform where users can contribute and collaborate on the preservation of knowledge. This could involve crowd-sourcing efforts, allowing users to submit and curate content to ensure its longevity.

15. Foster collaboration with libraries and archives: Partner with libraries, archives, or organizations that focus on preserving cultural heritage and knowledge. They often have the expertise and resources to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.

16. Establish partnerships with universities or research institutions: Collaborate with academic institutions to store and maintain your information. These institutions often prioritize the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, making them potential long-term partners.

17. Encourage offline archiving: Promote the offline archiving of your website and content. This can involve providing downloadable versions, encouraging users to save content locally, or distributing physical copies in formats like CDs or USB drives.

18. Leverage blockchain technology: Explore ways to utilize blockchain technology to ensure the immutability and persistence of your content. Blockchain-based platforms can provide transparent and decentralized mechanisms for storing and accessing information.

19. Educate future generations: Consider creating educational resources or dоcumentation to help future generations understand the importance of preserving information. By raising awareness and promoting best practices, you can inspire others to continue the mission of knowledge preservation.

Nothing lasts forever, and nothing is truly free.

Focus on what is currently important, such as using platforms like GitHub Pages, Google Sites, or Ucoz.

When it comes to domains, keep in mind that there are no free options available; instead, you can only get subdomains like .googlesites.com or .ucoz.

In the past, there used to be free domains like .spb.com or .msk.com, but now they are priced similarly to .com domains.

We can expect technologies and services to evolve and change within the next 5-8 years.

The current hosting format may become obsolete during this timeframe, and we may see a shift towards containerization, where you can easily move your 1MB container across different services with just a few clicks.

It's fascinating to think about how the digital landscape will continue to evolve and shape our online experiences in the future.

Everything that is essential gains popularity and is exaggerated in reflection. On our planet, there are approximately 1-3 individuals, each with their unique challenges and issues. It is astonishing to consider what information cannot currently be accessed online. Personally, I believe it is beneficial that outdated technology is continually replaced by newer alternatives. After all, there is no obligation for anyone to migrate their creations to new technologies within a span of 5-10 years when they become outdated. One piece of advice that resonates as truly valuable is to collaborate with a community of like-minded individuals who share an interest in the subject matter, rather than relying on a singular perspective.