In the past I tried several ways to get my devices in sync, and in the very end I relied only on one of the many available tools: Xmarks (previously known as FoxMarks).

However, good things come to an end, and the Xmarks extension allowing your browser to sync bookmarks, history, passwords and open tabs on multiple platforms will be shut down starting January.

Yesterday, my Firefox browser opened the following page, telling me I have to move on:

Sadly, Xmarks will be shutting down our free browser synchronization service on January 10, 2011. This page contains details on how to transition to recommended alternative services. For more detail on why we’re closing our doors, please see our blog post.

Best regards,
-Team Xmarks

What you need to know:

• Browser Sync Alternatives

  While you may have to give up cross-browser sync when Xmarks goes away, there are a lot of good browser-specific sync options available:

   

  You can also create an html backup of your bookmarks at any time by using the Export feature at my.xmarks.com.

• Service End Date and User Support

  Xmarks Sync for Firefox, Chrome, IE, Safari, and iPhone will continue to operate until January 10, 2011. Email support is no longer available, but our user support forums on GetSatisfaction will continue to be a place for users to help each other.

• Uninstalling Xmarks Extensions (Sync, Thumbnails, and SearchTabs)

  Instructions for uninstalling Xmarks can be found on this wiki page.

• Privacy and Your Data

  We understand that you have entrusted us with the task of storing your personal browser data and we take that responsibility very seriously.

  • We will never sell or release your personal data, and we will make sure to delete all user data once the Xmarks service shuts down.
  • If you’d like to take immediate action, click here to immediately delete your account and user data. (Make sure you have all your data first!)
• Other Shutdown Questions

  Please see our Shutdown FAQ if you have questions you don’t see answered above.

• More Sync Options

  If you have need of syncing more than just bookmarks between computers, here are two great services we recommend you try out. Both offer a free plan with no payment obligation.

  

The message given by the Xmarks Team is both sad and gentle, as it suggests where to go now that we are all going to be orphans of a great, useful and free tool.

Via: Xmarks Blog