I just submitted this to http://www.apple.com/feedback/icloud.html after talking to a Senior Customer Service Rep.
(I suspect I'm a little more "senior" than he, as I bought my first "Fat Mac" in 1985)
He advised that this is the proper venue, and Apple takes Feedbacks seriously. I hope others will do likewise...
Subject:
Need to back up data without iCloud
Feedback type:
Documents in the Cloud
Comments:
In Mavericks there is no opportunity to back up/sync my contacts and calendar (plus) info between my IOS devices to my Mac without using iCloud wherein you store this info.
RE Apple Help Center "If you use OS X Mavericks v.10.9 or later, your contacts, calendars, and other info are updated on your computers and iOS devices via iCloud."
This means:
1) No internet=no back up. (I travel a lot in rural Mexico...)
2) You state you will monitor my data and judge it. RE iCloud Terms and Conditions; Removal of Content
3) You will provide my content to anyone you wish whether legally required or not. RE iCloud Terms and Conditions; Access to Your Account and Content
This means I need to revert to 10.8 and postpone or cancel my planned Apple purchases.
Were these decisions your choice or were you forced to implement?
Let me know when you rectify these decisions so that I can resume replacing my hardware.