Anyone in here use iRule / OnControls?

No, I don’t use them.

[Link: getirule.com]

I am not a custom installer but I do use iRule and I'm quite disappointed with the news. Unlike the Pronto line of remotes, which I still use today, IRule will be unusable after the 31st December 2021 because of their cloud based programming software which will be turned off on this date.

I'm always chopping and changing components, at least 5-6 of times a year across many systems throughout my home so IRule will have to go, unless they make an offline programming solution available, which I very much doubt.

I purchased IRule in good faith and am happy with what it does for me but I'm very unhappy with the current news. I don't mind that there's no longer support or development, but I would hope that they continue to leave their programmer online indefinitely. Really, what would it cost them to keep their existing, loyal customer base happy.

Regards
Pat.

Why should they care about happy customers if they are shutting down?

Would you like some info on real control systems?

All things considered, I think that this is a very nice gesture. Most companies would give no notice — there would be a quick (click) then gone. I remember what happened to ExtraVegetables customers the night Control4 bought the company. And we all know what happens to Apple products after a few years. iRule will probably be caught in an Apple drama before final end.

[edit spelling]

you have over 4 years notice and your concerned about a 2nd rate control system stopping IN FOUR YEARS? REALLY????

Lol 😂

Well thanks for your kind words of support guys. 👎 I didn't come here to be ridiculed. I'm a member of many forums and usually contribute at least as much as I get out out of them, and I never belittle anyone in my replies. I was simply answering the OP's question of "Anyone in here use iRule / OnControls" and gave my opinion on the situation. Sorry if it differs to anyone else's opinion.

As I said, second rate or not, IRule did what I wanted and worked well for me. I now have to look for, purchase and learn a new system that I can maintain myself because it would be too cost prohibitive and inconvenient to have a custom installer reprogram my remotes every couple of months or so. Plus, I enjoy maintaining my own systems.

Regards
Pat.

Thats the risk of going with a small, 3rd rate company. There are others. Pick another, and pray you get FOUR YEARS notice.

My sony walkman did what i needed it to do then all of the sudden I couldnt buy any more tapes. It was slit wrist time. I mean now much would it cost them to keep their customer base happy? Geesh, these companies!

I was disappointed in them a long time ago... I got talked to into creating templates for iRule / On Controls by the owner himself. He assured me that people wanted custom graphics and would pay for them.

I spent a couple months wading through that awful web based software creating templates for the iPad and iPhone. Right after release, I read how they purchased a template directly from someone else and making it a free download.

I knew at the time that whole endeavor would fail. At least companies like Bitwise and AMX, which are both circling the drain, have dedicated hardware with code on a processor. They will continue to work as long as the equipment holds up. Cloud stored automation... really? What were people thinking?

Pat, I totally get it. Some of the comments are a little snarky. But, relying on the cloud should have been a red flag since day one. This is why your Pronto remotes and gear still works. Locally stored programming and graphics.

pat911,

Look into TouchControl. This is a very different environment from iRule. While not required for basic stuff, if you are comfortable with JavaScript and have some imagination, you can achieve user interfaces that are not possible with anything else that you have seen. The development system is not cloud based, but you can include cloud elements in your program if you like (imagination is required). While I can't recommend this from a performance standpoint, every button could be a live web page (your own local stuff or anything in the cloud). It's iOS only (no Android) and iOS 11 support was released along with iOS 11. Development is done on a PC or Mac.

I assume that you are using Global Caché. If so, you can continue to use this with TouchControl. While there might be some little glitches that you'll learn to work through, it is possible to simultaneously run iRule and TouchControl while you develop your TouchControl program.

I agree

While there are some advantages for the manufacturer in terms of customer support and control of intellectual property, as a user I don't like cloud based development. The main reason for this dislike is that it is too easy for the cloud to go down (for maintenance, or whatever) or go away. If someone turns out the lights, it's instantly over for everyone. Also, on some of my projects I'll be in there before any Internet service is available at the site. (and on some remote sites there is no practical cell service either) And, the cloud based stuff that I've seen is slow.

---

As far as all of this modern technology is concerned, it's a risky world. Not so much that the hardware will not perform or fail, but that things are moving so fast in terms of user interfaces and underlying hardware, a two year old product typically has no place in the market and becomes a profit drag on the company if the company continues to support that legacy product. Hats off to Sonos for their continued support for most of their older products.

Pat,
There's more than a few guys on this forum who appear to believe they are way smarter than their actual contributions would suggest so don't get too bent out of shape by those responses.
I've been an integrator since the inception of 'CI' as an industry in the mid-1980's and lost count of the number of manufacturers who have left us and end-users like yourself hung-out-to-dry. I learned long ago to hold only limited affinities to individual manufacturers and to design for maximum flexibility and resilience in the choice and potential substitution of equipment.
In reality 4 years is a pretty decent migration window and you are ultimately better served getting off the cloud and taking control of your programming and file store.     
Hey look on the bright side - at least you don't have an ass-wipe for a President down there :)

Any chance you speak German?

| 

Or one for 8 years the last two terms. Lucky you!