Paul P
 
[we're getting pretty close to double-posting here...]
 
So tell me how the program is different from renting for the first 11 months ?

 
Because "the program" isn't just about the first 11 months. It's also about buying upfront if you prefer that. If you want to look at only a selected part of one aspect of the program and not consider that it's DESIGNED to last more than 11 months, then it has the appearance of a rental program. But then the 12th month hits, and its true nature of not being a rental program (as the world defines it) becomes obvious. If it was a rental program, then you'd rent for the 12th month, 13th month, etc. 
 
That would be like saying SONAR's model is giving away software for free because if you download the demo, it sure looks like that's the case for month 1. But at month 2, you discover it is not a model that gives away software for free. Similarly, at month 12, it's obvious the "rental program" is not a rental program. 

And I think it's great that you can now rent Sonar for a few months.  You should be crying this from the tree tops.
Why aren't you ?

Because the overwhelming sentiment in the forums is that people want to own what they buy. This is not a rental program and promoting it as such would be inaccurate.

Perhaps it's the word 'membership' that's tripping them up. Whenever you read 'membership' think 'rent-to-own.'

A renter will never own what they pay rent for. That is in complete opposition to what CW is offering. They are giving you 12 months to pay for the product. After that you own it.

For some this new model will be a true godsend. Believe it or not many would love to have a full professional DAW but can't come up with money. Now they are included too. I for one am very pleased with what CW is doing. 

Anderton

Paul P

John
CW is not using a rental model either. That needs to be clear.     

The first 11 months look a lot like a rental to me, John.
 
Maybe we should call it an eleven month lease, with option to buy (for one payment) at the twelfth month.

 
A program is the entirety of the model. In a rental program, you rent. Obviously this is not a rental program because at its conclusion, you stop "renting" and own the software. The closest you can come to a rental program is to call the monthly payment variation a "rent-to-own" program.
 
But, you also don't have to choose that option. You can buy it outright and have a permanent license from Day 1. So the "program" really comprises choices, it is not just one model.
 
You save money with quantity pricing. You can either make accounting deal with your account every month, or you can buy all 12 months at once and save money. It's like any store where you pay less if you buy things in bulk instead of singly.

Isn't the main difference here that you only get tech support for that one year or am I missing something?

vintagevibe

Anderton

Paul P

John
CW is not using a rental model either. That needs to be clear.     

The first 11 months look a lot like a rental to me, John.
 
Maybe we should call it an eleven month lease, with option to buy (for one payment) at the twelfth month.

 
A program is the entirety of the model. In a rental program, you rent. Obviously this is not a rental program because at its conclusion, you stop "renting" and own the software. The closest you can come to a rental program is to call the monthly payment variation a "rent-to-own" program.
 
But, you also don't have to choose that option. You can buy it outright and have a permanent license from Day 1. So the "program" really comprises choices, it is not just one model.
 
You save money with quantity pricing. You can either make accounting deal with your account every month, or you can buy all 12 months at once and save money. It's like any store where you pay less if you buy things in bulk instead of singly.

Isn't the main difference here that you only get tech support for that one year or am I missing something?

Actually I'm not sure about that. I think support will be there in the same way it has been in the past. It would help if CW would be more clear about this. 

I agree that the plan works well for most and I'm just playing devil's advocate here: Let's say Joe starving musician wants to start recording his band. He is pretty broke but his day job provides enough income for the monthly plan at $50/m. Joe gets through the first 11 months of membership but is then layed off from his day job and can't pony up the last $50 for ownership. He has 11 months of projects in the works and has spent $550 but is completely hosed under this system. Just a little food for thought.
 
Rocky

vintagevibe
Isn't the main difference here that you only get tech support for that one year or am I missing something?

I think this needs to be clarified. I don't know if Premium Tech Support entails only phone, but email support is still available. In any event I would think most people would have their issues sorted out after a year, and of course, the forums offer significant support if people have questions after that.
 
I assume Cakewalk considered the kind of $99 per incident support that companies like Apple offer for Logic, but that wouldn't make much sense when for $50 more you get support and all the updates.

bluzdog
I agree that the plan works well for most and I'm just playing devil's advocate here: Let's say Joe starving musician wants to start recording his band. He is pretty broke but his day job provides enough income for the monthly plan at $50/m. Joe gets through the first 11 months of membership but is then layed off from his day job and can't pony up the last $50 for ownership. He has 11 months of projects in the works and has spent $550 but is completely hosed under this system. Just a little food for thought.
 
Rocky

Under the old system, he would not have been able to use the software at all because he would have had to pay the full amount upfront. At least this way he got to use the full version for almost a year. Hopefully he would have been able to complete his projects by then. 
 
If not, he could renew when he has money again. The fact is software has a price. If you pay the price, you own the software. If you don't pay the price, you don't own the software. It's no different from buying anything.

Anderton

bluzdog
I agree that the plan works well for most and I'm just playing devil's advocate here: Let's say Joe starving musician wants to start recording his band. He is pretty broke but his day job provides enough income for the monthly plan at $50/m. Joe gets through the first 11 months of membership but is then layed off from his day job and can't pony up the last $50 for ownership. He has 11 months of projects in the works and has spent $550 but is completely hosed under this system. Just a little food for thought.
 
Rocky

Under the old system, he would not have been able to use the software at all because he would have had to pay the full amount upfront. At least this way he got to use the full version for almost a year. Hopefully he would have been able to complete his projects by then. 
 
If not, he could renew when he has money again. The fact is software has a price. If you pay the price, you own the software. If you don't pay the price, you don't own the software. It's no different from buying anything.

Fair enough but I was under the impression that the 12 months have to be consecutive. Will he be on the hook for another 12 months or still nothing? Does he start from scratch at $50 a month?
 
Rocky