Reaper works on Linux as well. If Windows gets too annoying I'll probably lock down my current system (Win7) and switch to Reaper on Linux for most tasks and then do whatever else I need on the Win system in Sonar. I could even keep it on the same system using dual boot and just pass the files around manually (but in Linux you can snag files from Windows... just not the other way around).
 
I have so much stuff as it is (just from buying Sonar for the past few years and making a couple calculated third party purchases) that I can't really think of too many things I would ever REALLY need to do outside of those platforms (although I do need mastering stuff but plenty of good tools for Win7 already).
 
After a decade or so if I'm getting itchy to get all hyper modern again (and we finally get our hovercars with each upgrade) then I'd be sure I have enough money to get a Mac or something. By then though since Bitwig is out I'm sure Linux audio production will be so far advanced it will be on par with the other platforms.
 
Heck... if I ever get around to getting into SERIOUS programming I might create my own simple little DAW that does what I want. No more, no less.

BTW... a lot of people want Sonar for Mac but because the competition in the Mac market for DAWs is so high they would be taking a small bite out of a large pie.
 
If they release a solid Linux version their only serious competition would be Bitwig...
 
oh and Reaper but their package isn't nearly as robust.
 

jih64

azslow3
You misunderstand Open Source concept. And you can easily find which money was invested into Linux... you will wish 1/1000 of that is invested into Sonar

And still they can't make anything to remotely compete with what is available to us on Windows ?
Somethings not quite right here.

It looks you have never worked in environment where Windows computer is hard to find...
 

It's pointless really, the discussion, but 2 questions before I go,
1. Do you Linux people use Windows ? (Don't answer, as I know the answer and it is somewhat rhetorical). 
 

Yes, at home. For games and Sonar only.
 

And
2. Why is that ? (again, I know the answer, and somewhat rhetorical).
And . . . with that I rest

Most games targeting Windows/XBox/PlayStation/WII. That is why people use Windwos/XBox/PlayStation/WII
Sonar starting X2a is not working under Wine for me.
 
Do not forget that for music production many people working on Apple can ask you the same rhetorical questions about OS X - Windows relation, they in turn see Windows just as a toy, not capable to do anything good.
 
20 years ago the difference between Linux, Windows and Mac OS was much bigger than it is now. At the moment 2 of them are direct UN*X incarnations and Windows (after several unsuccessful attempts to go its own ways) is close to them as well.

I'm with Jeff on this Linux issue. I too have through the years dabbled with Linux. Its fun and interesting but as far as it being a really useful OS it just isn't there and I don't see it getting there. Support for hardware is a moving target. Just about everybody has support for Windows, Few have drivers for Linux. 

I am working in Linux last 20 year. There was good releases, there was bad ones. I have changed 4 distributing companies during this time, for several year I was using my own distribution.
 
It is true that (toy and music) hardware producers do not release drivers for Linux. But that was never a problem for me, I have just used compatible component. Also once something is working with Linux, it works forever. There is no usual in Windows "how to install my old device in Windows YZS 64bit?" questions.
 
Linux is real stable OS for work on servers and desktops, easy maintainable, has the whole set of different concepts from phones, NASes and thin clients up to farms of thousands computer. Experts can solve almost any problem and adopt the system for concrete needs.
 
Windows from the beginning was something "fancy" between kitchen and TV, winning because it was working on cheap computers. They have worked hard to make it "serious", and they have quite big success with that. I must admit starting with Windows 7 it is an OS. But not in all respects...
 
That is like discuss Realtek and Creative vs RME/Motu/Tascam... Based on popularity and easiness to install drivers. And some gamer can say you - "I have tried to use RME UFX one year, it was interesting and fun to play with TotalMix, but it is not getting even close to what my old Sound Blaster delivers in games"

"Windows from the beginning was something "fancy" between kitchen and TV, winning because it was working on cheap computers. They have worked hard to make it "serious", and they have quite big success with that. I must admit starting with Windows 7 it is an OS. But not in all respects..."
 
Serious question: why isn't Linux more popular?
 
I'll give you a hint: it's not very user-friendly. Most people need simple things. Not because they are stupid or incapable of learning. It's because they are busy with their lives and just want tools that are easy to operate. Linux fails in that respect and that's why Windows is a better, more popular OS (at least to most people).
 
Most of us don't want or need to know how the car engine operates. Most of us don't want to drive stick-shift. We want a car that only needs steering and braking, accelerating. That's why fully automatic cars are overwhelmingly more popular than stick-shift, regardless of which one is technically better. 
 
That's where the "open source" movement has always failed: they wrongly assume people need or want expertise beyond the basic use. And that is not the case 99% of the time. So, they only get the 1% user base that connects with their thinking.

The sky is falling...  (jk) 
 
So much of what we do is based around computers/devices.
I view it like a utility (gas, water, etc).
I just don't see the big deal whether you pay all-at-once... or whether it's a small monthly fee.
Either way, my machines/devices have to be kept reasonably up-to-date.
For what we do, Linux is not a complete/viable substitute.
Fewer audio interface choices, lack of top quality virtual instruments/plugins, etc...
IMO, If you're not a fairly tech-savvy user, Linux is not for you.  Lots of small issues can be road-blocks...
 
Twenty years of Windows DAW software development/refinement...
It was exciting going thru it the first time.  
There's so much we take for granted...
ie:  Native Instruments (new) Komplete Kontrol series of MIDI controllers integrated with their Komplete software
It took all these years to (finally) have virtual-instrument controller/software that offers workflow similar to using a hardware workstation.  It's such a simple idea... but it would take thousands upon thousands of man hours to see this type of development fully realized under Linux.
 
Windows may not be the prettiest girl at the dance.
But once you consider all the facets... she's a keeper.
To the forum ladies, I apologize in advance for the poor analogy.   
 

irvin
Serious question: why isn't Linux more popular?

Why Komplete Kontrol is not going to be more popular than Logitech Gaming Keyboard? No way, never...
 

That's where the "open source" movement has always failed: they wrongly assume people need or want expertise beyond the basic use. And that is not the case 99% of the time. So, they only get the 1% user base that connects with their thinking.

They have not "failed". And do not mix "Open Source" with some particular kind of  free software. You produce your music and everyone can hear it. Music is by definition "open source"! But that does not mean everyone can copy/sell your music or use part of it in own compositions.
 
Linux is popular where it make sense. Not for gaming. Not (yet) for music. But for Phones, Web, Networking, etc. it already is. For example Android market place is much more then 1%, and Windows is not the nearest concurrent...

"Linux is popular where it make sense. Not for gaming. Not (yet) for music. But for Phones, Web, Networking, etc. it already is. For example Android market place is much more then 1%, and Windows is not the nearest concurrent..."
 
Then, you should not have been comparing it with Windows, where by your own admission, it "does not make sense" to compare it. Right?
 
And no, Android is not Linux (based on Linux, only). I'm out of the conversation (have to go make music).
 
 

Well - when you buy an computer there is Windows installed by "default". If that was not the case for years an lot of people would have to decide what operating system they would have on their hardware. I think if Microsoft not had "strongly convinced" vendors in putting Windows on all the hardware, the general public would be more aware of other operating systems.
 
But let's not start an Linux-Windows war here. Windows is an good platform for DAW's and gaming, but Linux is raptly closing the gap that is between the two platforms. Already the Steam platform is present on Linux and more and more AAA games are coming to Linux. The same goes for DAW's. Native and Windows plugins are running well, and so does an lot of controller and audio hardware. The same goes for OSX.
 
But -really- that's not the subject here. The discussion is about Windows becoming an full subscription-based OS/platform or not. I think that's FAR more important, because this could have serious consequences for an lot of people!!!
 
I don't mind to have some software subscription based. I like the model Cakewalk is doing now. After one year of monthly paying the program in the latest state is yours. You can then stop the subscription (if you want to) and still have an working program. I do NOT like the Adobe model, because if you stop paying (even after years of paying), you end with nothing at all..
 
The big question is - Will Windows 10 become subscription based, and IF so.. will it become the "Cakewalk" or "Adobe" model. This will be immensely important for the consumer, because it's not simple software we are talking about here, but the complete environment that houses all your data/music/programs and so on. If that become subscription-based, all your stuff is at risk if you have not enough money to pay (and let's be fair - everyone can have times that money is scarce and the house rent and food is more important than software)...
 
I am honestly glad there is an alternative to Windows as DAW/graphical/game/work platform. If that's OSX or Linux is not that important. It will keep Microsoft sharp, and prevents (too) bad practices.