I think, it is better to own a server. It is more flexible and with time it will become less expensive to maintain. I mean, less expensive if optimised properly. This will allow you to run server intensive processes. These processes in shared environment kills the whole server, and loads of people suffer.

Security is a major issue nowadays. The PS3 is becoming "fearable". Alongside with linux, it has a great hacking potential. Protecting ourselves in many ways is the only thing we can think of.