Navigating the Risks of Online Writing Platforms: A Cautionary Tale
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Chapter 1: The Fragility of Online Platforms
What happens if a platform like Medium shuts down suddenly? Unfortunately, the answer is simple: yes, all your work could be lost.
The Messenger, a new blogging platform, recently ceased operations after only eight months, shocking the media landscape. Despite CEO Jimmy Finkelstein's ambitious $50 million budget aimed at establishing a reputable platform, the venture launched in late spring 2023 with high hopes. The marketing team made great efforts to promote the launch, attracting a plethora of skilled writers and independent journalists eager to participate in this new endeavor.
However, just eight months later, circumstances shifted dramatically. On January 31, 2024, users—primarily writers—were taken aback when the website abruptly shut down. Initially, many presumed that the site was undergoing maintenance and would be back online shortly. The subsequent revelation of its permanent closure left the community in shock. It was only when traditional news outlets reported on the situation that the emotional impact hit home.
When writers sought to recover their articles, they were met with the harsh reality that none of their submissions had been adequately archived. This unfortunate turn of events erased months of hard work, leaving many feeling despondent.
This situation serves as a reminder that such risks can affect anyone on any platform.
Section 1.1: Reflections on Medium's Stability
Reflecting on my own experiences, I recall hearing whispers about accounts being suspended or blocked due to users' posts or actions on Medium. If these claims are unfounded, please disregard them. However, it raises an important point: users may unknowingly violate platform guidelines without prior warning, leading to a sudden loss of access.
Life can be unpredictable, and this underscores the necessity of keeping backups of all your work on a third-party platform. You never know when you might need it.
Subsection 1.1.1: Practical Backup Strategies
As you create articles, consider saving them as drafts in your email using a simple copy-and-paste method, especially if you prefer traditional methods. Alternatively, you could save your work as a PDF and store it on your local drive or in the cloud.
I highly recommend this practice to all writers, as you never know when an unexpected disruption may threaten your writing journey.
Chapter 2: Acknowledgments and Community Support
The first video, "Psychic Medium Matt Fraser SPILLS Afterlife Secrets and What Signs From Heaven Really Look Like," explores the fascinating insights into the afterlife. Matt Fraser shares his experiences and reveals what signs from beyond truly signify.
The second video, "Cindy Kaza on Joining 'The Dead Files' and Her Psychic Origin Story | Talking Strange," delves into Cindy Kaza's journey as a psychic and her experiences on the show, offering a unique perspective on her work.
I am grateful to everyone who supported me during my first month on Medium. A heartfelt thank you to: Andreea128, gab1930s, Jocelyn Soriano, LeStefDuSud, Julia Dyviniak, Nyx Whisper, Dr. Seema Patel (PhD), Joshua Robello, Zion, Leonid Hass, Ccgordon, Dennis • M.Sc., Derison Ishaku, Tim Smedley, Walter Rhein, Jeff Russell. Your encouragement means a lot to me.
Stay safe, fellow writers, and don't hesitate to subscribe to my newsletter for more of my thoughts. The comment section is always open for discussion.