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Forum Discussion
End of support for OS X 10.4 and 10.5
Why pull support and remove functionality? Why not just drop support -- just stop updating the app but still allow basic functionality? There are still a lot of legacy machines that are still in use and CANNOT upgrade to 10.6, as they are PowerPC based. Yes, old systems still work. Why stop the app from working totally instead of just deprecating support for those systems?
Here is a lame answer I got today from Dropbox support.
Aubrey, Jan 21, 2:19 PM:
Hi Richard,
Thanks for writing in.
We are sorry about any inconveniences that the changes in the system requirements to run Dropbox on your computer may have caused to you.
We regularly release new versions of the Dropbox application with additional features, better performance, and security enhancements and these are not always compatible with older systems, like in this case, with the version of OS X that you are running.
Please note that you will still be able to upgrade the operating system on your computer to continue using the Dropbox application by following these instructions:
Or simply access your files in Dropbox from other compatible computers, mobile devices, and from the Dropbox website.
Again, I really am sorry for the inconvenience.
Regards,
AubreyHere is my original note to Aubrey:
Richard Schletty, Jan 21, 12:35 PM:
Dear Dropbox,
Please read this thread and respond. There is an outcry.
Pulling support for Mac OS 10.4 & 10.5
https://www.dropboxforum.com/hc/communities/public/questions/201983215-Pulling-support-for-Mac-OS-10-4-10-5?page=2From a marketing standpoint, it is a very bad idea to end functionality/connectivity for Mac OS 10.4 and 10.5 users, many of whom still operate robust G4 and G5 PPC Macs. Why not keep the legacy Dropbox Desktop Client for Mac connected? Why are you going to disconnect this client app? We need a reason or rationale.
Legally, can you drop support for machines and software that are considered "old" by you but "essential" by your clients? This seems like a failure to deliver services. Not a single Dropbox rep has taken the opportunity to answer concerns. Is this a security issue? A third party licensing issue? What gives?
Thank you.
Richard
There is still a lot of productive work being done on PowerPC Mac computers. These computers cannot upgrade past Mac OS X 10.5.x because that is the last revision that supports the PowerPC processor. While I can understand why you don't want to include support for these old computers in new versions of Dropbox, please do not turn off the old apps. Let them run in a sort of legacy mode. Syncing files and offering links.
Erik Y: Thank you so much! Now I understand what another thread was talking about. I was holding down Option while clicking on the gear icon – nothing. I clicked on the menu bar Dropbox icon while holding Option key, as you suggested, and I have what I need – pause syncing, quit Dropbox and Dropbox Preferences,
Knock knock . Anybody home
Sooooo is anybody at dropbox gonna tell us why they are ruining our lives. I've been a paying customer for a long time
I can not up grade above Mac Os 10.4.11 I work in Protools and it would cost me $16,000 in hardware and software to upgrade. Why can't dropbox leave a version of dropbox for older os . If Dropbox abandons os 10.4 users . We have to abandon dropbox. We have no choice. And I'm a paying client- Rich
Super User II
Please stop posting multiple questions. One is more than enough, especially when there are so many other questions exist for the same issue.
Richard P.Super User alumni
10.4.11 came out nearly 8 years ago, if you haven't been planning and properly amortizing for an upgrade then that's not Dropboxes fault.
You are on a heavily out dated system, suck it up. It costs money to support you. You are no longer financially worth supporting.
An 8 yr old machine is more than adequate as a file or backup server along with the primary newer models, the very roles where dropbox is part of the setup. The whole point of the thing is to have stuff available throughout your whole system. Just because you get bought a new toy every year doesn't meant others throw their older stuff out rather than use it according to it's capabilities. What about people with clients who are still using older setups or are prevented from updating by fussy software?
I was wondering that myself. I've also left a complaint/plea on their Facebook page but I'm really not sure how we can best get their attention. Ideas?
Please try to find an alternative approach rather than cutting support and functionality off altogether. My lab and collaborators rely on dropbox, and many of use older PPC-based machines (funding these days is tight, and if you can afford to keep a perfectly fine machine that is older, you do) and can't upgrade. Our group are already Pro users, and considering a decision to upgrade to Business. Loss of support for these legacy machines may lead us to abandon dropbox for a more durable solution.
As with many others who have already posted before me, my workflow involves several older PPC Macs that simply can't be upgraded beyond Mac OS X 10.5.8, Leopard. I even have machines that can't be upgraded beyond Mac OS X 10.4.11, Tiger, that see occasional use. Dropbox has been a tremendous time-saver for me, and to be completely logged out of Dropbox automatically with no hope of regaining the ability to use the service for file syncing between machines is to be cut off at the knees. I agree with others on this subject; if there is a way to continue to support syncing on these systems even if it means no further application updates, I'm all for that. I already run operating systems that are no longer supported by Apple and have adjusted my workflow around that fact, so adjusting my workflow around having a version of Dropbox installed that is no longer support wouldn't be a problem as long as it is still allowed to sync my files across my LAN and the Internet. Regardless of the decision made, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we'd love to hear a response to our pleas explaining whatever decision is made in full detail.
I too run OS X 10.4.11 and OS X 10.5.8 on multiple PowerPC G5s at work and at home, and like other posters cannot upgrade the OS but need to continue using OS X 10.4.11 and OS X 10.5.8 PPC only software, while still synching with machines running OS X 10.6 and later, and also Windows PCs.
What is the reason for not simply dropping support for the latest PPC Dropbox app version but still enabling the apps to link with the Dropbox servers? Both OS X 10.4.11 and OS X 10.5.8 on G5, G4 and G3 PowerPs can be patched to the latest versions of bash, ntpd and fixed as regards the SSL v3.0 bug by the appropriate browser use and also untrusting Diginotar hacked certs etc., maintaining their security. So what is the actual basis for the decision to pull both support and app functionality for OS X 10.4.11 and OS X 10.5.8?
I also use Dropbox on multiple machines running 10.4 and 10.5, and in fact, this fantastic legacy support is the primary reason I have stayed with Dropbox over iCloud or Google Drive.
On a personal level, I also still like to do a lot of my writing on my old PowerBook because the keyboard is just so comfortable to type on versus the flat chiclet keys on modern Mac laptops. Dropbox makes it easy to always keep that in sync with my newer hardware.
This is extremely disappointing.
PLEASEE, please... Just leave basic functionality at least... PLEASE... don't make all my PPC Macs alone...
...in the dark...
