iCloud Transition Status

Update: Dec 8, 2012

We have two updates today:

First, we are still working to complete iCloud sync support for Yojimbo, and are engaged in resolving several remaining technical issues.

Second, based on our work to date, we regret that Yojimbo for iCloud will require OS X 10.8.2 or later (rather than OS X 10.7.4 or later as we originally expected).

Since we recognize this change will pose problems for some Yojimbo customers, we are providing this information now to aid their planning, and we apologize for the added inconvenience.

Once again, we thank you all for your continued patience.

Update: Oct 29, 2012

We’re continuing to work on problems which are blocking iCloud support, and still do not have an ETA, though we again do appreciate your patience.

Update: Sep 22, 2012

We are still working to iron out various bugs related to iCloud and thus do not yet have an ETA. Until then, we will continue providing updates here (and in the Yojimbo Talk group) and we appreciate your continued patience.

Update: Aug 27, 2012

As of now, we are still wrestling to resolve bugs & related issues with iCloud support for Yojimbo. Thus, we don’t yet have any timeframe but will continue to keep you posted.

Update: July 25, 2012

We are hard at work on resolving some iCloud problems that have proven to be more difficult to address than we had expected. We’re one of the first developers to adopt iCloud for Core Data syncing, and life on the leading edge is never dull. Apple has gotten involved to help us work through the issues that are preventing us from shipping.

Update: June 30, 2012

We regret that we will not have iCloud support ready in time for the MobileMe shutoff. The technical issues of the last few days will take a bit longer to resolve, and test. These issues can be worked around; and we are working as hard as we can. Nonetheless, it will take time to implement and test the necessary changes; and to ensure that our support for iCloud meets the standard that our customers have come to expect from us.

The amount of time required is more than remains before Apple turns off MobileMe; and we think you need to know this now.

Please note that Yojimbo will continue to work except for syncing between multiple Macs. When the new release is ready, once you have installed it, your changes will resynchronize using iCloud.

We apologize for the inconvenience these delays are causing, and we know they make your work harder. Thanks again for your continued patience and understanding while we get this job done.

Introduction

If you use MobileMe to synchronize your Yojimbo data across multiple Macs, you will soon be affected by Apple’s decision to end MobileMe service, and we’re providing the following info to help smooth your transition.

If you use Yojimbo on one Mac only, or if you use Yojimbo on one Mac and synchronize it only with the Yojimbo for iPad companion app, this change will not immediately affect you.

If however you currently use MobileMe to synchronize your Yojimbo data across multiple Macs, we hope to make the transition to iCloud as smooth as possible. Thus, we are posting this notice to provide you with background information, and to outline your available options.

Please note that once we release a new version of Yojimbo with iCloud support, Yojimbo will only be available in the Mac App Store. This is because Apple has decided that any applications that use iCloud for sync may only be distributed through the Mac App Store. Therefore, all Yojimbo customers who wish to use iCloud to sync data will have to separately purchase the new version of Yojimbo from the Mac App Store once it becomes available.

Further, the new version of Yojimbo will require Mac OS X “Mountain Lion”, version 10.8.2 or later. [Note: This information updated on Dec 8, 2012 to reflect current status.]

Technical Background

Since shipping in 2006, Yojimbo has used MobileMe as a platform for syncing data across multiple Macs. As you may know, Apple is discontinuing the operation of MobileMe on 30 June 2012.

For our customers who use Yojimbo to sync data across multiple Macs, Apple’s decision to discontinue MobileMe will mandate a change to how Yojimbo works.

As one of the very first developers to adopt MobileMe for synchronization, we’re accustomed to working closely with Apple to address the complexities involved. iCloud represents a radical change in how data synchronization operates; it’s unfortunately not just a switch that developers can throw.

Although Apple has provided a smooth migration for some data stored on MobileMe, they have decided that other parts of your data are to be left behind: keychain data, Mail account settings, and more — including data that is synced by products such as Yojimbo. (You can read more about it here: iCloud: MobileMe services that no longer sync after moving to iCloud.)

If you want to get a sense of what’s involved in low-level detail, have a look at The Mental Blog, in which Drew McCormack describes some of the challenges inherent in adopting iCloud.

What does it mean to you? What are your options?

Here are the three available options for you to consider as we move ahead.

Option 1

If you wish to continue syncing your Yojimbo across multiple Macs using an Apple-supported solution, we are working to have a version of Yojimbo available that uses Apple’s iCloud service. This would allow you to keep multiple Macs in sync on an ongoing basis. We are hard at work on getting this ready for you before the shutoff of MobileMe service, and expect to have a version submitted for Mac App Store review by the middle of this week. (The new version is currently undergoing internal testing.)

Please note that Yojimbo will continue to work on all of your Macs. However, your data will not sync, and you will have different data sets on each of your Macs. If you later decide to upgrade and use iCloud, Yojimbo will attempt to merge the data from each of your Macs into a single central database.

Since the Mac App Store dictates a single price point, and does not offer a means to provide reduced-price “customer loyalty” software upgrades, nor does it allow for any other form of accommodation, we plan to offer Yojimbo at a deeply discounted rate to accommodate customers who will be inconvenienced by this change.

We’re used to having the latitude to provide a much higher level of service to our customers than the current circumstances permit. We will, however, do the very best that we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work out the details.

Option 2

If you don’t want to purchase a new copy of Yojimbo from the Mac App Store, you will not have access to MobileMe or iCloud for syncing.

However, many of our customers have found using Dropbox to be a low-cost (or free) and effective way to transfer their data between multiple Macs, subject to a few caveats. We have posted an article that explains how to use Dropbox to transfer your Yojimbo data.

Tech Note: Transferring Yojimbo Data via Dropbox

One important note: If you choose to use Dropbox, you may only keep Yojimbo open on one Mac at a time. So for example, if you have a Mac at home and another at work, you must quit Yojimbo on the home Mac before using it on the work Mac (or vice versa).

Option 3

The final, and from our point of view least appealing, option is that you may choose to stop using Yojimbo. While we find this option regrettable, we feel it’s important to acknowledge that some of our customers may be unable or unwilling to continue using Yojimbo. In that case, you may completely export all of your data from Yojimbo, to keep and use as you see fit.

While the three options available to you may require some changes on your part, they are unfortunately the only options that are available under the prevailing circumstances.

As always, we appreciate your feedback — if you have any questions or comments, please write to us at the sales department, or use any of the contact forms on our web site.

Thank you for being a Yojimbo customer, and thanks again for your patience and understanding while we work through this transition.

Rich Siegel
Bare Bones Software, Inc.
26 June, 2012