SquireBum
I do not believe it is possible to develop a DAW that fits every user's needs and workflow requirements.  One of the most customizable DAWS on the market is Reaper and the biggest complaint about Reaper is that you must spend so much time customizing it to fit your workflow.  That's why users need to demo multiple software offerings and use the one that works best for them, even if the software is several versions old.  There is nothing wrong with using an old version of software as long as it continues to work on the current OS.  The latest and shiniest model may not be the best for every user.
 
-- Ron

Yes. One of the biggest, continuous complaints about SONAR was that the GUI was too cluttered. Then more functions were moved to dropdowns to tidy the basic view. Then people started complainig about too many dropdowns and extra clicks. 
I think its's very much the case of people wanting the default GUI to match their workflow instead of having to study and customise the software to your liking, thus being more or less forced to change the workflow.
Then again, if you have to concentrate on not changing workflows, you can never change/improve/develop anything.
 
I'm very much an "old dog". I have so long breaks in music making, that what I've once learned, I tend not to change. It would take too big a slice off my music time.

mourningpyre
It's better than previously, but I still use Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 to create all of my MIDIs.  There is just something about the old format being faster and easier to use and I can't quite put my finger on it.  I wanted to appeal to all you guys/gals here for your input.  
 
Do you think that MIDI editing was easier in previous editions of Sonar?  If so, what would you like to see come back to make it easier in Sonar Platinum or any future editions of the software?
 
I'm in the process of writing down my notes; I'll post them soon.  Anyway, what are your guys' opinions?
 
Here is a screenshot of the ol' CWPA9 in action, by the way.  I just recorded this track a few days ago.  It runs just fine on Windows 8.1 64bit.  No problems at all.  I guess that is a testament to good development. :)
 

If I had to go from PA9 to Platinum I think I too would probably think PA9 was much better.
I remember the change from 8.5 to X1 was radical enough let alone a change that spans 16 years. However as one who has updated with each version, each step is but a gradual one with the exception of 8.5 to X1 as I mentioned. But even that change was accomplished by going forward and never back again. Only way to go for me.

Good news there Mudgel, I did exactly what you did.  I just forced myself to only use Platinum.  Obviously there were a lot of good reasons to do this right off the bat, and as I continue to work on songs and MIDI in Platinum, it is getting easier and faster.  I haven't opened CWPA9 for the last 3 projects I've done.  I think it might be time to do a permanent uninstall.
 
Sad.. it's been a fixture of my PC since 2000.  What kind of burial would be proper? lol

mourningpyre
Good news there Mudgel, I did exactly what you did.  I just forced myself to only use Platinum.  Obviously there were a lot of good reasons to do this right off the bat, and as I continue to work on songs and MIDI in Platinum, it is getting easier and faster.  I haven't opened CWPA9 for the last 3 projects I've done.  I think it might be time to do a permanent uninstall.
 
Sad.. it's been a fixture of my PC since 2000.  What kind of burial would be proper? lol

I wish I could do the same, but alas, I use a lot of controllers and NRPN data in my MIDI files.  Sonar's way of displaying all controllers at once when you open a track's PRV makes editing MIDIs with lots of controlers prohibitively difficult.  Until Sonar remembers the controller lane configuration when you open a new PRV (like CPA9 does), I will still be editing mt bread and butter MIDIs with CPA9

Personally, I would not be too quick to ditch CPA9

promidi
I wish I could do the same, but alas, I use a lot of controllers and NRPN data in my MIDI files.  Sonar's way of displaying all controllers at once when you open a track's PRV makes editing MIDIs with lots of controlers prohibitively difficult. 

"Prohibitively difficult" is a very diplomatic way to put it.  The interface is designed by somebody who had no idea what they were doing.  It is 100% useless if you have more than a couple of controllers per track.  With 2 or 3 controllers on a huge screen, you can edit one track at a time, but don't even think about selecting multiple tracks.
 
Please see http://forum.cakewalk.com/In-PRV-controller-lanes-are-practically-unusable-please-fix-this-m3166007.aspx
 
This has some suggestions that seem like they would be relatively easy to implement and would make a huge difference.