I Left My Old Ecosystem Behind

The Breaking Point

I’d been using the same platform for years. Photos, documents, messages — everything was there. Convenient, sure. But also trapped.

When I tried to export my data, I discovered:

• Photos: Compressed and stripped of metadata
• Documents: Locked in proprietary formats
• Messages: No export option at all

That’s when I realized: I didn’t own my digital life. They did.

Finding A is for Agent

I stumbled on A is for Agent through a GitHub discussion about data portability. The manifesto resonated immediately:

“Your data is yours — to use, to move, to own.”

I signed up for the beta the same day.

The Migration

It wasn’t instant. But unlike my old platform, the tools existed:

• Standard export formats (JSON, CSV)
• Open APIs for bulk transfers
• Clear documentation for self-hosting
• Community support when I got stuck

Within a week, I had full control of my data again.

What Changed

Practical benefits:

• Export anywhere, anytime
• No more format lock-in
• Self-hosted on my own infrastructure
• Complete audit trail of who accessed what

Psychological shift:

• I’m a user, not a product
• My workflow serves me, not algorithms
• No more anxiety about losing access
• Genuine ownership

Would I Go Back?

Never.

Once you experience real digital freedom, convenience stops being an excuse for control.

Share your story: stories@aisforagent.net