Background: Uploading Messages

This page aims to provide the details for how we upload our messages. In order for a message to “be online” a mp3 file (the message) needs to be saved to a publicly accessible cloud service. There are many options available but not all of them are free or meet our needs. We currently use Archive.org, a free cloud service that offers unlimited storage. Once a message mp3 file is saved at Archive.org we can post links to that file on our website. These links can stream the audio in an audio player right on the website, or even offer a download link where a user could save the file to their computer.

 

Why Archive.org

  1. Unlimited storage - we can upload as many messages as we want with no limitations.

  2. Free - we do not have to pay for this service

  3. Public facing - we can stream to the public just as you would with platforms that are more familiar (like YouTube).

  4. Trusted - Archive.org has never interfered with content so long as it met the basic legal standards (Non-Copywrite content, Non-illegal content)

  5. Time tested - Archive.org is one of the oldest cloud storage platforms. It has not changed much and likely wont.

Archive.org meets all of our needs and concerns at this time.

 

Why not Youtube?

We have discussed using this platform in the past but we have decided against it for the following reasons:

  1. YouTube ads. While it is possible (now) to demonetize videos so they wont show ads there is no guarantee of an ad free experience.

  2. This platform has not been the most trustworthy platform as far as policy. Citing bizarre things like misinformation videos have been removed. If you can not trust that your content will be left online unmolested then someone will have to constantly be on watch to make sure the videos remain accessible.

  3. YouTube prefers video. We have discussed moving to video messages instead of just audio in the past on several occasions. At this point we have decided against adding such complexity to the recording process.

At some point in the future this may change, but for now YouTube does not meet all of our needs.