A VPS is going to have all the same problems as a local server in terms of inexperienced users, and will also add all the extra hassle of managing and paying for the VPS account.

I would say the best options for emergency access are local backups and documentation, which you already have. You could also consider keeping additional copies of essential passwords (like email accounts etc) in a simpler vault like Keepass. Or even physical copies written down in a security envelope in a safe.

It’s amazing how far technology has progressed.

It’s called “disk destroyer” for a reason.

Always double check your dd commands folks.

Some old computer magazines in the 8 bit era occasionally distributed software on flexidiscs. They were also called Floppy ROMs.

Unfortunately many parts of Sailfish are proprietary though.