Actually I didn't TOTALLY understand until your last post. It makes sense however it might be a nightmare to keep track of the different versions, who's entitled to what, and also, I would assume the different versions would require independent QCing for each version.
 
Then there's the updating issue. Suppose you buy the full version of Platinum and you have all the cool unlocked plugs. But then the record company goes bankrupt and your final advance payment never comes through, so you go to the monthly plan for the next year of Platinum. Your VX-64 gets updated to do some special thingie or function, but Mr. Command Center sees you have the monthly plan, and dutifully replaces your unlocked version with a locked one.
 
Speaking as an "outside insider" as it were, I think Cakewalk is trying to simplify their processes as much as possible so their available resources can be spent on the monthly releases, the core program, and ongoing bug fixes. That would tend to make them want to avoid anything that would add to the QC queue and possibly create more bugs.

Well it would stay the same as always. You get what you paid for. Like I can still use R-Mix and VC64 and they still work so that full license payment entitles you to the full plug just like that. If your membership lapses and you go month to month you still own what you previously owned but would NOT get that new updated version.
 
Don't think anything really needs to change aside from the license/reg code for full and locked versions but if they are going to go through and start locking stuff anyway (which no one from Cake has said but that's what seems to be what is being discussed) then it could be done in this manner.
 
Full Sonar license = Full unlocked plugs with reg codes for that specific version.
 
Let your membership lapse = Keep what you own. No unlocked updates until you buy another full license. If you sign up month to month you get the LOCKED version until the full 12 months is paid for.
 
Really it's just two licenses. Now the code involved in locking things based on reg codes or whatever... that I don't know about. It could indeed be a massive pain in the arse but I'd imagine it's just a matter of auto generated keys and code and whatever.
 
Cost/Hassle vs. Benefit really which of course would be a large part of the bottom line equation.
 
Thanks for entertaining the premise anyway. I certainly don't expect my ramblings to affect the future of such things but hey... you never know.
 
Cheers.

Beepster

mettelus
Thanks for the clarification, Susan. I knew version 2 came with Foxboro, but was unclear if you had meant version 1 myself.
 
@Beeps With 3rd party plugins, things are locked based on the licensing agreement. There is nothing CW can do about those. Based upon posts I have read, there are those that pop into the forums on occasion, just to see what they can get with minimum effort (or for free). The one about signing up for Splat for a month just to get AD2 took the cake though (pun intended). Folks will gravitate to a DAW because of the DAW, not because of the plugins. (I think that was your point, but not sure).

Yes... I am not talking about the third party stuff (but if they want to provide that then sure). I am talking about in house stuff.
 
I should not have said anything because no one is actually reading my posts. What I have outlined eliminates the drive by scammers (locked plugs for month to month... unlocked for full membership but ONLY for the stuff Cake can control).
 
It's understandable I guess because we do get a lot of wankwads trying to pull a fast one but seriously... I am saying something VERy different here. Nothing to do with third party stuff (unless they are on board). Not giving stuff away to the "I'll pay for a month, get all this stuff and never come back" crowd.
 
I'm gonna try to not let it get to me that people think that me, Beepster, is suggesting that type of thing but really guys... read what I wrote.
 
If my posts keep being taken for something they are not I'm gonna have to delete them. C'mon, guys.

Remember - we're dealing with a mindset that believes locking away access to user's manual PDF files will help combat piracy.  The ACA approach to software sales.  Buy it so you can see what it is!!     Sorry, I guess that was an inexpensive shot, but there are some deeply rooted things about Cake that I don't see ever changing.
 
And that's OK.  I already bought Sonar and it is sweet

BTW that would also provide a good opportunity for Cake to do another very useful thing I've wanted for a while now. That is set up separate downloads in our accounts for each individual plugin as opposed to these "suite" style bulk downloads. So everything included gets it's own unique ID and download and two versions.
 
Full Membership
 
Monthly
 
Each has their own reg code or s/n or whatever needs to be done. It would be a LOT of work at first parsing all the individual items out at first but once the core plugs are all sorted and tagged then it would be very simple to keep up with as new tools come down the pipe.
 
Meh... just pontifimicatin'.
 

Keep the gloves up, lol

mettelus
Keep the gloves up, lol

It is indeed rather unfortunate that the default position on stuff like this is that people are on the grift, but really we have seen a lot of that crap especially over the Melodyne and AD2 stuff so I get it. Just kind weird that people thought that's what I was trying to say.
 
Meh. Internet. Is what it is. I was just gonna yank my posts because they seemed to be causing confusion and strife... and that ain't good for no one.

BobF
 
 
Remember - we're dealing with a mindset that believes locking away access to user's manual PDF files will help combat piracy.  The ACA approach to software sales.  

Is that why there is no pdf? If so, then the fact that you can access an up to date HTML version on Cakewalk's website would seem to be a major oversight. I am aware of software vendors who lock you out of any access to support, assistance, or documentation via their website unless you can provide a valid registration code. That would seem to be an antipiracy move. I had assumed that Cakewalk just didn't want to have to maintain a pdf manual in addition to a live HTML version. I must say that the ability to do a full text search in a pdf is a huge advantage over the very limited index provided in the HTML.

Beep your posts are not causing grief. I understand your point of view and its a valid one. I disagree but so what. We are mature enough to handle differing view points expressed well.
 
I for for one like to hear what people think. I think CW does too.
 
 

slartabartfast

BobF
 
 
Remember - we're dealing with a mindset that believes locking away access to user's manual PDF files will help combat piracy.  The ACA approach to software sales.  

Is that why there is no pdf?

 
I highly doubt it. I think it would be much more difficult to update/maintain a PDF every month than document the new features and link to them in the online and local help. Also if you download and choose only the local help in Preferences, the contents, search, and indexing capabilities make it pretty easy to find things.
 
Doing PDFs is probably not an agile enough approach to documentation with the rolling updates. When I did a manual for Ableton Live, it populated the program help, the online document, and the manual accessed via the program simultaneously. That could never have been done as easily with PDF-based documentation. 

Actually, Cake explained that not wanting to help pirates was the reason the pdf manuals are no longer available for download.  That may not have been the whole story, but it was the reason given.