Posts on isoul.uk https://isoul.uk/posts/ Recent content in Posts on isoul.uk Hugo en-gb Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000 A simple personal archive https://isoul.uk/posts/a-simple-personal-archive/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://isoul.uk/posts/a-simple-personal-archive/ A practical starting point for keeping your media and data available. A resilient archive starts with the things you would genuinely miss. Do not begin by downloading everything. Begin with an inventory.

The KISS version

  • Keep the original files where possible.
  • Use common formats such as PDF, FLAC, MP4 and JPEG.
  • Keep one working copy and at least one backup.
  • Store a second backup somewhere different.
  • Check that backups can actually be opened.
  • Review the setup once or twice a year.

Preservation is not about collecting for its own sake. It is about keeping reasonable access to things you bought, created or were given permission to keep.

]]> Self-hosting without the rabbit hole https://isoul.uk/posts/self-hosting-without-the-rabbit-hole/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://isoul.uk/posts/self-hosting-without-the-rabbit-hole/ Self-hosting is most useful when it stays boring, documented and recoverable. Self-hosting does not have to mean building a data centre. Start with one service that solves a real problem: a media library, photo backup, password manager or notes system.

Keep the design boring:

  1. Use hardware you already own.
  2. Run one service at a time.
  3. Keep application data separate from the operating system.
  4. Back up configuration and irreplaceable files.
  5. Test restoring something before you need it.
  6. Use friendly local names and HTTPS.
  7. Document the few commands that matter.

The goal is not to replace every cloud service. The goal is to make sure a company closing an account does not erase your only copy of your life.

]]> Why digital ownership matters https://isoul.uk/posts/digital-ownership-matters/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://isoul.uk/posts/digital-ownership-matters/ When access depends on a company, it can disappear without your consent. A disc on a shelf is not perfect, but it is understandable. A digital item tied to an account, region, server or changing licence is different: you may have paid for access without receiving lasting control.

Sony removing or restricting access to disc-related features is a useful reminder of the wider trend. Hardware, software and media can be changed after purchase, delisted from stores, or made dependent on services that may not exist forever.

The answer is not to hoard everything or reject every modern service. It is to avoid a single point of failure:

  • Buy DRM-free or physical copies when practical.
  • Keep local backups of purchases and personal data.
  • Prefer open formats and exportable libraries.
  • Support creators directly.
  • Learn which devices still work offline.
  • Keep a simple inventory of what you own and where it is stored.

Convenience is valuable. It should not require surrendering all control.

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