fwiw, i think all the confusion/difference lies in the switch from paying for a certain software during an undefined time period, versus paying for an undefined software during a defined time period - how's that sound?
additionally, the app rolling back to a "demo" mode smacks of the shareware model (albeit within a timeframe), which i haven't seen anyone mention yet?

Regardless of the name given to it, I like the idea/concept of it.  Enough so that I've bought in to see how it plays out.
 
One thing I do NOT like is C3.  There was enough reported about not being to specify install locations, that I went manual for the whole thing.  C3 "sees" the Sonar install, but of the subitems.
 
What would be nice would be for Cakewalk to rid their products of dependency on "C:". 
 
I managed to keep my 8.1x64 system partition to a nice, lean 39G used until I came back to Sonar.  Between X3P and S2015 that has climbed to 49G - with as much as possible directed to alternate drives.
 
And it's really not just about performance.  It's about managing backup/recovery.  It's silly to spend time and resources backing up stuff you have installation media for, IN MY OPINION.
 
The OS is a different story.
 
So PLEASE, never make C3 mandatory UNLESS these artificial installation constraints are removed.

Anderton

slartabartfast
 

Actually, what Avid is offering for ProTools (as opposed to Media Composer which appears to be a Creative Suite type rental) seems to be offering a sale of software (perpetual license) plus a support contract paid in a lump sum covering one year, during which time you are entitled to upgrades as they become available plus unlimited online support and limited (depending on how much you pay) telephone support. So, except for the absence of a monthly payment plan, it looks a lot like Cakewalk Membership.
 

I didn't see any kind of regular update concept, just "updates as they become available." I couldn't tell whether that involves new features or just bug fixes and maintenance updates. 




Well if AVID means what Cakewalk used to mean by an upgrade, i.e. a move to the next release version, and if a new version contains new features, then the plan pretty much seems to include new features.
http://www.avid.com/us/products/pro-tools-software/licensing?intcmp=AV-HP-S1a
 
What is not clear to me is what happens to your then current version if you fail to renew your support plan in a year.

 I think this FAQ explains the new membeship the best.

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Membership

I suggest reading every word of the FAQ. I see now what's going on. There won't be any more big annual releases for a new version. Instead there will be periodic updates, fixes, new features added, etc. So in other words many loyal customers will be paying the yearly fees, likely every single year because they'll want to keep current. I doubt many will stop the payments for long, because then you'd be missing out on the new features, fixes and tech support. I think when I've paid a year, I'll keep a close eye on updates, new features, and fixes and use that to decide when I'll pay another year.

I like this aspect of the new system a lot: there won't be the legitimate excuse anymore for, "oh sorry we can't fix X3, because we're already working on X4 and can't devote our resources anymore to X3". Sonar Platinum is really X4 Producer. I don't expect we'll hear talk of X5 or X6, instead we'll get gradual new features added periodically.

After understanding this new system I do like it better. It has several advantages. Another one being getting the new features gradually will make it easier to get used to changes as opposed to the shock some of us have gone through with a drastically different version. I hope this will also make the bug fixes better, instead of having to wait for a new version to get a bug fix.

It has several advantages. Another one being getting the new features gradually will make it easier to get used to changes as opposed to the shock some of us have gone through with a drastically different version.
 
Good point, I hadn't even thought about that 

 

John

People have a very negative view of subscriptions based on the Adobe model.  

 
I don't, why do you say that?
 
My Adobe Photography Plan works absolutely perfectly for me. So I guess I'm not "people"?
 
I don't understand your double standards John - you seem so keen to stomp all over anyone who mistakenly believes the new SONAR business model is a 'subscription', yet you are happy to use a blanket statement like the one I've quoted above that is deliberately (by using the word 'negative') giving the impression that the Adobe system is in in some inferior. They are different - surely that's all one need say?
 
You need to give people credit for having a bit of intelligence. If somebody wants to call the Cakewalk model a 'subscription' or not, the fact is that the model will work exactly the same way - whatever you call it. The Cakewalk literature is absolutely clear about the two available purchase options, and the restrictions and benefits that are afforded by both. If anything, should anyone actually perceive the monthly payment scheme to be a 'rental' model, I'd like to think that they'd get a pleasant surprise after handing over 12 consecutive monthly instalments when they got to keep the software.
 
I spent a lot of time doing my research before deciding on whether or not to start my Photography Plan with Adobe. And I like to think I have the intelligence to sit down and work out what offers me the right balance of the features I want against the price I'm prepared to pay.
 
The feature set I had with the software from Adobe I already owned outright - Photoshop Elements & Lightroom 5 - was nowhere near as sophisticated as what I'd get from subscribing to their Photography Plan, which includes continual updates and upgrades going forward to Lightroom and to Photoshop CC. I'll cut a long story short, but I worked out that over a two year period, in which time I'd normally expect to upgrade to a new version of Lightroom and to skip-upgrade two or three versions of Elements, it was going cost me about the same as subscribing to the Photography plan for those two years*.
 
So for me, getting the added features of Photoshop, plus guaranteed upgrades to Lightroom actually means I get better value over those two years, albeit of course, with the full knowledge that Photoshop will stop working if I decide to stop my annual subscription. But, assuming the prices of the software one can still purchase outright (Lightroom and Elements) remain roughly equivalent to the Photography Plan subscription price, the same calculations will hold in two years time, so continuing on my subscription then will make sense then too.
 
Plus, as I mentioned elsewhere, and with the caveat that there is a subscription reduction for previous owners of Photoshop CS versions signing up to a subscription plan, there is no equivalent upfront fee in the Adobe model whereby you have to purchase the software. As I've never owned a full version of Photoshop CS, if Adobe followed the Cakewalk model, I would have had to shell out the $800ish in my first year.
 
And that in a nutshell is the difference between the two models. With Cakewalk, you end up owning the software, but you do actually have to pay for it somewhere along the line; with Adobe, you don't end up with the software, but you're not expected to pay for it at any point.
 
For me, the Adobe Photography Plan works absolutely perfect. I can see nothing negative about it whatsoever when I consider my other options. If you just go on the last retail price for Photoshop CS6 ($800) and for Lightroom 5 ($150), then I reckon that my continually getting the latest version of both for $14.34 per month is pretty reasonable.
 
 
 
* (Edit to add) it works out at about the equivalent of $12.50 per month if I upgrade Lightroom once and Elements once during that 2 year period, against $14.34 per month for the Photography Plan.
 
 
 
 

Steve most people do understand what the quote means. Most people want to be able to use the product without having to pay each month for ever. It is that aspect that people find negative. 
 
Also you haven't been battling with trolls that use that word to bash Platinum. 
 
This is the second time you have taken issue with a post of mine. Keep it up and it will be seen as harassment. 

John
Steve most people do understand what the quote means. Most people want to be able to use the product without having to pay each month for ever. It is that aspect that people find negative. 
 
Also you haven't been battling with trolls that use that word to bash Platinum. 
 
This is the second time you have taken issue with a post of mine. Keep it up and it will be seen as harassment. 

Harassment?
 
Are you serious?
 
What have I written here or elsewhere that qualifies as "harassment"? Show me, or I'll expect an apology in due course.
 
Are you saying that nobody can effectively disagree with anything you say. Nor can they point out the errors and inconsistencies in any argument you put forward.
 
And just so I'm absolutely clear here, are you warning about my "harassment" on a personal level, or in your official capacity as a forum host?
 
If it's personal, I'm happy to discuss this matter via PM instead of cluttering up the forum. If it's official, then I'm quite prepared for a member of Cakewalk staff to decide whether you have been subjected to "harassment" by me or not. Your choice.
 
As well you know John, I have of late been a regular and vocal supporter of the new Cakewalk business model, and of SONAR Platinum itself. But trust me, if I thought any different, I'd be just as vocal in expressing my opinion, regardless of whether you or anyone else felt 'harassed' by it.
 
 
 
Harassment indeed..... get a grip man.

This thread is getting a bit heated and is drifting. The weekends coming up and we should all be enjoying our individual crafts. If individuals want/need to discuss details of this thread further, please do so via PM.
 
If there's any concerns about our model, please review the official stickied thread in the forum or consult our official FAQ.