[alexashka]

What you really want is data formats and import/export functions across applications.

We've been over this with Microsoft Word making its format difficult to convert - stifling competition.

All these internet giants don't even have a file format for you to try and convert! Brilliant on their part.

Once you have your friend-list and stuff-you-posted as json, go ahead and switch to a different application - it'll be a 2 click import and you're set.

Regarding search and gmail - I fail to see how they have any hold over you, just use duckduckgo and one of the many other email service providers.