Yes, even without a login system, you can still provide each buyer with a personalized "purchase history" page using static files and tokenized URLs. The key lies in how you structure and automate these pages within your Jekyll site. Just like with tokenized download pages, we can create a unique static page per buyer that lists all products they've purchased — complete with download links, timestamps, and other metadata. Why Build Purchase History Pages in a Static Site? There are several advantages: No database required: All data is embedded directly in markdown or YAML. Works offline: Buyer history can be cached or even saved locally. Privacy-friendly: No login means no cookies, no passwords, no data tracking. Easy to revoke: Just delete the file from the repo to revoke access. Step-by-Step: Creating a Purchase History Page for Each Buyer 1. Define the Data Model Use a data file (YAML or JSON) that stores purchases per buyer: ```y...

Why Add a Custom Domain to Your GitHub Pages Blog While GitHub Pages provides a free .github.io subdomain, using your own custom domain makes your blog more professional and easier to remember. Whether it’s for branding, SEO, or credibility, connecting your domain is one of the most important steps to publishing your work seriously. What You’ll Need A registered domain name (e.g., via Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.) A GitHub Pages site already published (such as using the Mediumish Jekyll theme) Access to your domain's DNS settings Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Custom Domain 1. Decide Between Apex Domain or Subdomain You can use: Apex domain: yourdomain.com Subdomain: blog.yourdomain.com Subdomains are usually easier to set up and propagate faster. Apex domains require more DNS configuration. 2. Update DNS Records Go to your domain registrar’s DNS panel and update the following: For Apex Domain Use A records pointing to G...

Every year, thousands of startup founders rush to tech conferences, believing they’ll unlock funding, media coverage, and customer growth. They pay for booths, fly their teams in, and spend days rehearsing their pitches. But let’s be real—most of them leave with nothing. Why? Because tech conferences aren’t about startups. They’re about selling hope. The Harsh Truth About Conferences Let’s cut through the noise. Tech conferences are not designed to help startups grow. They exist to: Make money for event organizers —who profit from ticket sales, sponsorships, and overpriced booths. Boost corporate sponsors —who use these events for brand awareness, not to help startups. Give investors and media VIP access —while most founders struggle to get noticed. Think about it: If tech conferences really helped startups succeed, why do 90% of startups still fail? Where Conferences Fail Startups 1. The Networking Illusion We’ve all heard it: “Con...

Every year, thousands of founders buy into the illusion that tech conferences are the gateway to success. They see tweets about million-dollar deals at events, watch highlight reels of startup founders shaking hands with investors, and think, “I need to be there, or I’ll be left behind.” This is startup FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) at its finest—an emotional manipulation that convinces young companies to burn cash they don’t have on events they don’t need. The Harsh Truth: Most Startups Leave Empty-Handed For every success story at a conference, there are hundreds of startups that leave with nothing. No funding, no press, no customers. Just a pile of business cards and an inbox full of irrelevant sales pitches. Why? Because these events are designed to benefit the organizers and sponsors—not you. The Three Big Lies Conferences Sell to Startups 1. “You’ll Meet Investors Who Are Ready to Fund You” Here’s the reality: Most VCs already know who they’re ...

Every year, hopeful founders shell out thousands of dollars to attend flashy tech conferences, convinced that these events will change their startup’s trajectory. They’re promised networking, investor access, and media coverage. But here’s the brutal truth: these conferences are rigged against you. They’re not designed to help startups succeed. They’re designed to extract money from desperate founders while offering little in return. How Conferences Exploit Startups Let’s break down the real winners and losers at tech events: Winners: Event organizers, big sponsors, PR agencies, and investors who enjoy free exposure. Losers: Bootstrapped startups hoping for a miracle but getting ignored. Sound harsh? Let’s look at the facts. The Pay-to-Play Scheme Tech conferences operate like a high-stakes casino: Better booth placement? Pay more. Want investor introductions? Buy a VIP pass. Want media coverage? Hire a PR firm on t...

Every year, thousands of startup founders flock to events like TechCrunch Disrupt, Web Summit, and SXSW, hoping for their “big break.” Investors will notice them. Journalists will write about them. Customers will flock to their product. But here’s the ugly truth: most of them leave with nothing except a lighter wallet. The Conference Bubble: Selling Hype, Not Success Tech conferences don’t exist to help startups; they exist to sustain themselves. They sell an illusion—if you attend, you’re “in the game.” But in reality, these events are expensive echo chambers where the same ideas get recycled, and the people who profit most aren’t startups, but event organizers, big sponsors, and overhyped speakers. Why Networking at Conferences Is a Lie One of the biggest selling points of tech conferences is networking. But let’s be real: Investors already have their favorites. If you’re not already on their radar, meeting them at a crowded booth won’t change that. ...

Tech conferences like TechCrunch Disrupt, Web Summit, and CES claim to be the ultimate launchpads for startups. But are they really helping founders, or are they just sophisticated extortion schemes disguised as networking opportunities? The High Cost of Hope Startups are told that attending these events is a "must" for visibility and investor access. But let’s break down the true cost of participation: Exhibition Booth: $5,000 – $20,000 Travel & Accommodation: $3,000+ Marketing & Promo Materials: $1,500+ VIP Investor Events (Extra Fees Apply): $2,000 – $5,000 And what do you get in return? A crowded hall filled with hundreds of other desperate startups, all competing for the same handful of investor handshakes. The Pay-to-Play Trap These events operate on a simple but ruthless model: they profit from your desperation . The more you pay, the more “opportunities” you get: Want a better booth locat...