In the fast-paced world of software and technology, one of the most crucial lessons is this: don’t build your house on someone else’s land. Owning your digital presence gives you control, flexibility, and a long-term advantage that no rented space can offer.
A Lesson from High School
Back in high school, during our religion class, a teacher, who was a clergy member, shared a story that has stayed with me. Some of his colleagues had received land from the government to build their homes. Eager to get started, a few began construction right away, while others delayed. Months later, one of the early builders got a call from a fellow recipient. It turned out he had mistakenly built his foundation on the wrong plot. The homeowner assumed that since he’d already built the foundation, he could just be reimbursed for his expenses. But his colleague disagreed, pointing out that he not only would refuse to pay but would charge for demolishing the mistaken build.
That story became a valuable analogy as I entered the software and IT world. Technology companies, much like that landowner, often lure us in with the promise of “free” land, where we’re encouraged to build our digital homes. At first, the arrangement feels ideal. But over time, the terms change. Comfortable and invested, we’re then met with demands for substantial fees or forced into restrictive changes we never anticipated.
Don’t Build on Borrowed Digital Land
When you build your digital presence on third-party platforms, you’re always at the mercy of their rules, costs, and policies. Social media networks and software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms entice users with convenience and low costs upfront, but many later raise prices, alter policies, or even suspend services entirely. In the meantime, any content, data, or community you’ve built can become theirs to control, not yours.
This is why it’s essential to think carefully before committing to a specific software, service, or platform. Always ask yourself: Who truly owns my data? What happens if the platform changes? By owning your content and data outright—by choosing open-source or self-hosted options whenever possible—you maintain control and don’t risk losing everything to a change in policy or pricing.
Embracing Freedom with Open Source
The open-source movement offers a powerful alternative. Here, “free” often means freedom—not just a lack of cost. Open-source software empowers users to run, modify, and even distribute the software without being locked into a specific vendor. By investing in open-source tools, you avoid the dependency that proprietary software often imposes. Whether it’s a content management system, an email service, or a database, open-source alternatives give you freedom from arbitrary pricing, unexpected shutdowns, and policies that restrict your usage.
Your Content, Your Terms
Social media platforms may be “free” to use, but they often come with a hidden cost: your autonomy. While it’s convenient to use these platforms to share ideas and engage with a global audience, it’s crucial not to rely on them exclusively. When you publish solely on a social media site, your content is at the mercy of their algorithms, policies, and even the platform’s longevity. Platforms rise and fall, and while today’s giants may seem permanent, history shows that digital empires can fade quickly.
Invest in a personal website where you have full control. Your site is a hub for your content—a place that can stand the test of time regardless of platform trends. You may still share content on social media to reach a broader audience, but the core of your work should live on your site, where you’re in charge. Yes, maintaining a website requires investment, but it’s a small price for the security of knowing your content is always safe, accessible, and ready to be shared on new platforms as they emerge.
The Bottom Line
In the digital age, your presence and content are valuable assets. Treat them with care, and don’t leave them vulnerable to the whims of others. Choose open-source tools where possible, invest in a personal website, and ensure your work is always in a place you control. The initial investment is worth it—because true ownership and freedom are invaluable in a world where platforms come