Sunrise is correct, there are limitations to the Calendar APIs in OS X and iOS. Lots of apps require your AppleID to function: BusyCal, MS Outlook, Sparrow. There is no OAuth or similar functionality in CalDAV or IMAP protocols, so there's nothing to do. Either you trust the developer or don't use their app.
You have hit the hammer on the head. Seriously, not having the option to to sync locally is really a major faux pas. The entire iCloud system is completely flawed. It is created for one individual, using numerous idevices. Unfortunately, iMacs are seldom used by individuals - macbook pros yes, but imacs No. The iMac is a Family Computer. And this is where the stuff gets confusing:
1. If you have separate user id's on the one imac, then you have to buy songs/apps more than once. Solution: Use separate apple id's to log into each screen, but one Apple id for all to use with iTunes. That works, but it's cumbersome. And it's hit or miss if the iTunes log in also counts as the ID login for the session that you are in. Confused yet? Essentially, you can sometimes get that you are logged in as the screen login that you logged in with or logged in as the iTunes account holder.
2. Secondly, if you try to use Facetime with this, the computer gets totally confused. You will get messages showing "id A is linked to this imac, id B is linked to this imac....." and so on. In addition you can text to whomever from the computer to someone with an iCloud id, but you may or may not receive a response, because that person may not be sending from an iCloud account. Ugh?
3. Then there's the device issue. The Apple Geniuses will state that Apple id's are for identifying people using their devices and not iTunes. When I spoke with another about the confusion, he stated that this is just for Apple to send things to the right place. Not quite! Apple clearly states on their site that Apple id's control everything - iTunes, app store and essentially all communications with Apple. So if you use one Apple iD for everyone in your family, then everyone in your family will get your text messages, apps and just about everything. If you use separate iD's, then you have to find a way to get the right information through, while not paying for songs or apps twice.
It's still hit or miss, and I proposed a real solution a long time ago. Something that Amazon appears to be implementing, albeit slowly: Create a Master ID. Let users within a family make Sub-ID's but have the Master ID make purchases etc. Attach all purchases to the Master ID. I think that this would solve the problem.
Right now, it's just a confusing mess. iPhoto is another example of this, but that's for another day (ie. Is iPhoto using your ISP or iCloud?). Sorry for the length of this, but it's really gotten to me as well and I consider myself relatively knowledgeable.
Bolded Above: technically, that's what Apple does now with the App/iTunes STORE ID (Master).. and the Apple ID (Slave) is for all of the members of a household. Not to forget: App Store purchases can be used on up to 5 devices. Larger families that have went all in on Apple devices may find that they have to purchase any given App twice. Now THAT's where it starts to get really difficult.
I definitely agree with you: Apple should look into making this all far easier to understand for everyone... including those like myself that have to try and explain it to people.
NOTE: I like your "Master and Slave" ID naming idea and will be using it next time I have to explain this. Just need to be sure I'm using it in the right time and place... :smokey:
Right now, it's just a confusing mess. iPhoto is another example of this, but that's for another day (ie. Is iPhoto using your ISP or iCloud?). Sorry for the length of this, but it's really gotten to me as well and I consider myself relatively knowledgeable.
I will agree that it is a bit confusing for most people. Especially iPhoto.
I've been hoping that Apple would find a far more elegant way using libraries, or at the very least, have a sort of "mini-server" built in. However, I run across a lot of small businesses that still don't understand User Privileges (ACLs), server folder permissions, Multi vs. Single User accounts, etc. So I'm sure Apple's engineers have and are looking into this... it definitely is a tricky undertaking.
Explaining the premise of "libraries" rather than self maintained folder structures will start a legendary fight with most people. In fact it is the #1 reason that most people tell me they prefer Android, Windows, whatever: they understand the idea up plugging something into a computer (or inserting a USB stick or SD card) and seeing a folder structure to drag things into.
Managed libraries on the other hand cause just about everybody I meet to go cross-eyed, because they don't understand the power of having 1 piece of data (such as a picture or music title), meta-tagged properly, then searching and adding it to as many structured lists of their choice they want i.e. Collections, Albums, Playlists, etc., bypassing the simple name, date, color, etc. file structure of a folder... all from only ONE actual data file. Basically: a far more powerful and "obvious" advantage to simply creating "aliases" all over the place... which I might add, that many people also don't know how to use properly... if at all. As an example, I can walk into most ad agencies or print shops and clean half a hard drive from exact duplicates, replacing them with aliases, and the designers go, "Huh!?".
Last but not least: this leads me to teaching folks how to get the most out of "tags" in Mavericks. I love 'em(!)... but probably because I've been using 3rd party software solutions for years now.
My apologies for getting side-tracked. Just wanted to make a point how difficult it is for Apple to recreate the library approach, when many (most?) don't understand how to use it now. Apple is certainly doing their best by staying stubborn and forcing people on iOS devices to accept the lack of folders and get them ready for the future. Because IMHO, the main reason they are sticking to their guns, is they know that eventually... folder structures WILL be the thing of the past and no longer be "front facing" for the user.
And before you start to bash Apple: Microsoft and Google know this too and are also working towards abolishing folder structures. Think: meta-data(base)... :smokey:
Vociferous reply, but I stand my points made above. I think that if you have the ability to skirt these problems, you should post a guide on how to circumvent these issues, such as setting up 1 iTunes account to cover a family.
In regards to the login screen name, I think that you will find in Mavericks that the login screen name is one thing, and as you have stated correctly not related to your iTunes login ID, but once you use the iTunes login, that becomes YOU. In other words, I could have a screen name called Squiggly, and an iTunes name called Woodward, but Woodward is the main beast. Another confusing iteration.
I think that many would not agree with your premise that a family of four should have to buy an iTunes purchase 4 times, just to satisfy some whim. This is completely against Apple's edict from day one. When there was just one iD nobody purchased an item 4 times. The separate iD's were not supposed to create separate purchasing accounts, but they do now. That is a major issue.
I don't mind you flaming me, nor do I mind you insulting the hell out of me, but what would be nice is if you explained in plain English just how you would propose to resolve these issues. You can call the rest of us idiots who don't understand and that's fine, but just remember that it's IDIOTS like me who support Apple by buying their products which are supposed to be easy to use. Additionally, if you have a family or multiple people signing into your account, please put up how you resolved the issues that I discussed above. If not, then I would say that you are not understanding the issues brought up in my original post.
In other words, I could have a screen name called Squiggly, and an iTunes name called Woodward, but Woodward is the main beast. Another confusing iteration.
I fail to see at all how that could possibly be confusing.
I think that many would not agree with your premise that a family of four should have to buy an iTunes purchase 4 times, just to satisfy some whim.
Yeah, the “law”; what a whim that is¡
When there was just one iD nobody purchased an item 4 times.
Your implications that 1. the law has changed since the creation of iCloud and 2. that separate accounts have ever magically had the ability to redownload things for free are utter nonsense.
The separate iD's were not supposed to create separate purchasing accounts, but they do now.
Are you crazy? OF COURSE THEY’RE SEPARATE PURCHASING ACCOUNTS. THEY’RE SEPARATE IDS. Separate IDs for separate people under laws that restrict–and have always restricted–the purchase of an item to ONE PERSON.
This has never not been the case.
…what would be nice is if you explained in plain English just how you would propose to resolve these issues.
If you have four accounts, you buy the content four times. Can’t possibly be that hard to understand.
The thing about iTunes and iCloud is that they’re a cinch to manage separately. I’ve had an iTunes Music Store account since 2003. I say “iTunes Music Store” because that’s what it was called way back then. And since Apple has had to manage these accounts for over a decade now, the introduction of iCloud had to mesh with them.
If you’re a user new to Apple, you get an iCloud account, use it to manage your syncing and buy content, and boom, done. As simple as possible.
If you’ve had an iTunes account previously, you get to make a choice. Either you now use your iCloud account for purchases and everything else, or you keep using your iTunes account for purchases and your iCloud account for syncing.
I–and many others–have chosen the latter. Because that’s the second simplest thing to do.
So how does that work? Couldn’t be easier. You input your iCloud information into iCloud and turn on everything that iCloud does. Then you put your iTunes account information into iTunes. OS X and iOS understand that they’re separate. OS X and iOS understand that you mean to have purchases tied to the iTunes account. OS X and iOS do not confuse the two accounts, even though you, the user, might.
Since the beta of iCloud, I have not once had a single mishap in tying content to one account or the other. Because there’s no possible way TO have a mishap. iTunes saves my iTunes information. iCloud saves my iCloud information. iCloud, having always been used for syncing, is known to me subconsciously as my sync service. iTunes, having always been used for buying, is known to me subconsciously as my buying service.
As to having a “family” iCloud account, you’ll have to decide what content is applied to that account. Since the service is explicitly not designed to do this, anything you try to do with it will be considered a workaround.
The easiest things to do with a “family” iCloud account are using it as a communal media box and a communal calendar. Just input the iCloud information into each device’s iTunes store. Mail, Contacts, Safari, Keychain, and Photos make little sense to sync, so turn those off on the relevant devices. Calendar, Notes, and Reminders might have purpose to you, so keep those on.
Comments
Bolded Above: technically, that's what Apple does now with the App/iTunes STORE ID (Master).. and the Apple ID (Slave) is for all of the members of a household. Not to forget: App Store purchases can be used on up to 5 devices. Larger families that have went all in on Apple devices may find that they have to purchase any given App twice. Now THAT's where it starts to get really difficult.
I definitely agree with you: Apple should look into making this all far easier to understand for everyone... including those like myself that have to try and explain it to people.
NOTE: I like your "Master and Slave" ID naming idea and will be using it next time I have to explain this. Just need to be sure I'm using it in the right time and place... :smokey:
I will agree that it is a bit confusing for most people. Especially iPhoto.
I've been hoping that Apple would find a far more elegant way using libraries, or at the very least, have a sort of "mini-server" built in. However, I run across a lot of small businesses that still don't understand User Privileges (ACLs), server folder permissions, Multi vs. Single User accounts, etc. So I'm sure Apple's engineers have and are looking into this... it definitely is a tricky undertaking.
Explaining the premise of "libraries" rather than self maintained folder structures will start a legendary fight with most people. In fact it is the #1 reason that most people tell me they prefer Android, Windows, whatever: they understand the idea up plugging something into a computer (or inserting a USB stick or SD card) and seeing a folder structure to drag things into.
Managed libraries on the other hand cause just about everybody I meet to go cross-eyed, because they don't understand the power of having 1 piece of data (such as a picture or music title), meta-tagged properly, then searching and adding it to as many structured lists of their choice they want i.e. Collections, Albums, Playlists, etc., bypassing the simple name, date, color, etc. file structure of a folder... all from only ONE actual data file. Basically: a far more powerful and "obvious" advantage to simply creating "aliases" all over the place... which I might add, that many people also don't know how to use properly... if at all. As an example, I can walk into most ad agencies or print shops and clean half a hard drive from exact duplicates, replacing them with aliases, and the designers go, "Huh!?".
Last but not least: this leads me to teaching folks how to get the most out of "tags" in Mavericks. I love 'em(!)... but probably because I've been using 3rd party software solutions for years now.
My apologies for getting side-tracked. Just wanted to make a point how difficult it is for Apple to recreate the library approach, when many (most?) don't understand how to use it now. Apple is certainly doing their best by staying stubborn and forcing people on iOS devices to accept the lack of folders and get them ready for the future. Because IMHO, the main reason they are sticking to their guns, is they know that eventually... folder structures WILL be the thing of the past and no longer be "front facing" for the user.
And before you start to bash Apple: Microsoft and Google know this too and are also working towards abolishing folder structures. Think: meta-data(base)... :smokey:
Don’t just listen to people without knowing for yourself. He’s wrong.
Yeah, that’s why it’s called an account, not “an accounts”.
So each member of the family has their own account. Not that hard to understand.
Totally incorrect.
Your local username is NOT an Apple ID.
No, it isn’t.
No, you just don’t have the SLIGHTEST clue what you’re talking about.
No. This can never happen. Because your local username IS NOT AN APPLE ID.
Yeah. That’s because ONE account is meant to be used with ONE person.
It cannot be hard for you to understand.
Except no. Because you don’t have the right to do that. Because it’s illegal. Suck it up and pay for it.
No, YOU’RE confused because you lack very crucial information.
Vociferous reply, but I stand my points made above. I think that if you have the ability to skirt these problems, you should post a guide on how to circumvent these issues, such as setting up 1 iTunes account to cover a family.
In regards to the login screen name, I think that you will find in Mavericks that the login screen name is one thing, and as you have stated correctly not related to your iTunes login ID, but once you use the iTunes login, that becomes YOU. In other words, I could have a screen name called Squiggly, and an iTunes name called Woodward, but Woodward is the main beast. Another confusing iteration.
I think that many would not agree with your premise that a family of four should have to buy an iTunes purchase 4 times, just to satisfy some whim. This is completely against Apple's edict from day one. When there was just one iD nobody purchased an item 4 times. The separate iD's were not supposed to create separate purchasing accounts, but they do now. That is a major issue.
I don't mind you flaming me, nor do I mind you insulting the hell out of me, but what would be nice is if you explained in plain English just how you would propose to resolve these issues. You can call the rest of us idiots who don't understand and that's fine, but just remember that it's IDIOTS like me who support Apple by buying their products which are supposed to be easy to use. Additionally, if you have a family or multiple people signing into your account, please put up how you resolved the issues that I discussed above. If not, then I would say that you are not understanding the issues brought up in my original post.
Respectfully.
In other words, I could have a screen name called Squiggly, and an iTunes name called Woodward, but Woodward is the main beast. Another confusing iteration.
I fail to see at all how that could possibly be confusing.
Yeah, the “law”; what a whim that is¡
Your implications that 1. the law has changed since the creation of iCloud and 2. that separate accounts have ever magically had the ability to redownload things for free are utter nonsense.
Are you crazy? OF COURSE THEY’RE SEPARATE PURCHASING ACCOUNTS. THEY’RE SEPARATE IDS. Separate IDs for separate people under laws that restrict–and have always restricted–the purchase of an item to ONE PERSON.
This has never not been the case.
…what would be nice is if you explained in plain English just how you would propose to resolve these issues.
If you have four accounts, you buy the content four times. Can’t possibly be that hard to understand.
The thing about iTunes and iCloud is that they’re a cinch to manage separately. I’ve had an iTunes Music Store account since 2003. I say “iTunes Music Store” because that’s what it was called way back then. And since Apple has had to manage these accounts for over a decade now, the introduction of iCloud had to mesh with them.
If you’re a user new to Apple, you get an iCloud account, use it to manage your syncing and buy content, and boom, done. As simple as possible.
If you’ve had an iTunes account previously, you get to make a choice. Either you now use your iCloud account for purchases and everything else, or you keep using your iTunes account for purchases and your iCloud account for syncing.
I–and many others–have chosen the latter. Because that’s the second simplest thing to do.
So how does that work? Couldn’t be easier. You input your iCloud information into iCloud and turn on everything that iCloud does. Then you put your iTunes account information into iTunes. OS X and iOS understand that they’re separate. OS X and iOS understand that you mean to have purchases tied to the iTunes account. OS X and iOS do not confuse the two accounts, even though you, the user, might.
Since the beta of iCloud, I have not once had a single mishap in tying content to one account or the other. Because there’s no possible way TO have a mishap. iTunes saves my iTunes information. iCloud saves my iCloud information. iCloud, having always been used for syncing, is known to me subconsciously as my sync service. iTunes, having always been used for buying, is known to me subconsciously as my buying service.
As to having a “family” iCloud account, you’ll have to decide what content is applied to that account. Since the service is explicitly not designed to do this, anything you try to do with it will be considered a workaround.
The easiest things to do with a “family” iCloud account are using it as a communal media box and a communal calendar. Just input the iCloud information into each device’s iTunes store. Mail, Contacts, Safari, Keychain, and Photos make little sense to sync, so turn those off on the relevant devices. Calendar, Notes, and Reminders might have purpose to you, so keep those on.