The model behind Sonar is a highly flexible music creation and recording application for amateur and professional use with a something for everyone bias, and a purchase/user fee funding source. The model behind SoundCloud is a highly open music oriented web publication platform with a free version supported by advertising and user information marketing and cross-linking. It is easy to see who had the idea for this unfortunate collaboration, but somewhat harder to see what Cakewalk found attractive in the deal.
I found it a bit strange that automatic SoundCloud uploading was offered as a feature of Sonar in the first place. Inherent in the decision to do SoundCloud, rather than dozens of other similar websites, is that there was either an implied endorsement by Cakewalk or a mutually beneficial relationship, like the recent Gobbler introductory offer. I personally prefer my purchased software clean, and I doubt that there is enough money changing hands to affect the price so much that it would be to my advantage. I hope that Sonar will not become the Quicken of DAW applications with every window offering helpful links to tangentially related sites or services. If it wants to be considered professional it probably will not.
As to the criticisms of Mr. Anderton. I doubt that many readers of this forum are unaware that he holds a vice president office at Cakewalk's parent company--so the source of potential conflict of interest is pretty well disclosed. I have a great deal of sympathy for the position he puts himself in by posting here. As a physician for a prepaid medical plan, I spent a career being accused of denying ill advised treatments because it would cost my employer money. Although the ethics of business are much much looser than the ethics of the professions, I have no reason to believe that Craig, as an ethical man, is automatically or unduly influenced by his employment status in every position that he takes.
As a dedicated cynic, I am inclined to give short shrift to anything said by an employee of an interested party. But as someone who tries to be honest and fair in expressing my disagreements, I try to limit my comments to facts and defensible opinions rather than paranoia. Craig has been one of the most active and useful contributors to this forum, and we should avoid discouraging his contributions by playing the conflict card loosely.
And Craig, relax. Not every critique (however ill considered, inaccurate or unfair) requires a rebuttal. The truth is often best embodied by maintaining a noble silence.