The Cloud

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Let's talk cloud; and in my case a very limited cloud usage.

I am a traveler 100% of the time. We only own what fits into two 50lb rolling duffels; a 15lb backpack, and our new Apples under our arms along with iPhones and iPads.

Literally guys, nothing in storage, nothing with reles - we are 100% nomads full-time! Fear of the unknown for some; total Freedom for us! :D

Sometimes we are lucky and rent a unit with WiFi - that is like going to a candy store for me as I have saved up lots of photography and other subjects videos and other stuff I want to download.

However, sometimes we are limited to prepaid relatively small data plans for the computer or phone.

Ideally I want to be able to sync with my wife all six of our devices for calendar and contacts: two puters, two pads, two phones.

I would never use the cloud for documents/storage as the costs unless you have an unlimited data plan is simply prohibitive; everything that goes to and from the cloud is data!

So, with that preamble....

1. Calendar:

Currently I am syncing my PC outlook calendar through USB with my iPad calendar. Will Apples (generic for pad, puter, and fone) sync Outlook calendar through the cloud so that all six devices can be synced?

To sync all six devices, do my wife and I have to share one cloud account; how does that work? Can two cloud accounts be linked?

If too cumbersome for six, we want to at least sync our own three devices which if not automatically through the cloud could be done manually through USB, right?

A lot of Mac friends indicate that they use Google for their email, addresses, and calendar and sync in that manner; thoughts pro/con.

iCal - even if I am using Outlook for emails is it reasonable to use and synch iCal on our six devices? Currently I do sync my PC Outlook calendar with my iPad.

2. Address book:

Even thinking about addresses/contacts causes me to ponder that it is too much of an ask for wife and I to share contacts. That then suggests that putting all six devices on one cloud account is over the top. Who amongst the readers sync all data with their wife; does it work reasonably well?

Any other thoughts/tips on the cloud appreciated.
 
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chas_m

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Ideally I want to be able to sync with my wife all six of our devices for calendar and contacts: two puters, two pads, two phones.

iCloud will do all this no problem. Use the same iTunes account. All free.

1. Calendar:

Currently I am syncing my PC outlook calendar through USB with my iPad calendar. Will Apples (generic for pad, puter, and fone) sync Outlook calendar through the cloud so that all six devices can be synced?

You'd really be better off using Calendar, which came with your Macs (and iPhones and iPads). You can transfer Outlook's calendar data to Calendar using CalDAV.


A lot of Mac friends indicate that they use Google for their email, addresses, and calendar and sync in that manner; thoughts pro/con.

I have issues with the nature of Google; they are an ad agency, and your data is their product. I'm a sharing guy, but Google goes to far IMO. I avoid using Google as much as possible for this reason, and don't feel that I'm missing anything (I do use Google Image Search a lot, but it doesn't require a login. Somebody make a better alternative to the image search please!).

But ignoring Google for a moment, what is it about Mail/Calendar/Contacts you don't think will work for you, particularly as they are seamlessly integrated into iCloud?

2. Address book:

Even thinking about addresses/contacts causes me to ponder that it is too much of an ask for wife and I to share contacts. That then suggests that putting all six devices on one cloud account is over the top. Who amongst the readers sync all data with their wife; does it work reasonably well?

I don't. My wife has her iCloud account and I have mine. We don't feel we need to share contact. We do know each other's passwords so that we can avoid double-buying apps, and in case anything happens to either of us.[/QUOTE]

Cloud syncing is working FABULOUSLY for us so far, but we are in constant Wi-Fi; for your circumstances, you may want to start visiting coffee shops a little more often to "catch up" and sync changes. The data used by syncing is small, but depending on your cellular plan you may want to opt to do syncing manually when you know you have Wi-Fi rather than automatically.
 
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Luvntravln
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But ignoring Google for a moment, what is it about Mail/Calendar/Contacts you don't think will work for you, particularly as they are seamlessly integrated into iCloud?

Chas, you are a wealth of information and so very helpful, thank you.

Clearly two separate accounts would make sense.

From this and prior explanations, it appears that Apple calendar and address book would work and would sync; and you have advised how to transfer the Outlook calendar entries into iCal using CalDAV. I did a quick Google and it also syncs Google calendar.

Is there a particular program from seamlessly syncing Outlook Contacts with Apple Address Book?

That brings us to Mail. My recollection is that you told me I could not sync my old Outlook email archived messages with Apple Mail (AM). What happens if I am using AM and I need to access my older Outlook emails?

Is that the stumbling block?

If I cannot use Apple Mail because of my retained Outlook messages, and I continue to use Outlook Mail, doesn't that mean I have to continue to use Outlook Contacts?

I have no problem starting new with Apple Mail; I simply do not know know to access my stored emails.

Solving the Mail problem solves the Contacts problem.

FYI, I do want to move away from PC programs to the extent practicable; I know it will not be 100%, e.g., I cannot move away from Word, Lightroom, and Photoshop.

Thanks again!!
 
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chas_m

Guest
Just to be pedantic, at least two of those (and probably all three) were Mac programs before they were PC programs. Just sayin' :)
 

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