Thank you guys for clearing that up. Looking forward to seeing the new SONAR in there.

Would it be possible to add at least the links to previously purchased items into Command Center even if the app can't install them automatically? Maybe program it to see if something is installed on the machine so it can say yes or no and add a link to the download files.

I don't think so. The old installers are what they are. They are available in the product list in https://www.cakewalk.com/My-Account/Products. This has come up several times in one form or another in the Features & Requests forum and before with the same reply. There are contractual constraints involving some of the discontinued plug-ins in previous version which prevent repackaging. Discontinued plug-ins are a support headache which does not improve over time.

Thanks Willy, my internet sucks, so command centre s reassuring

http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3145920
 
 
So if  am interpreting this correctly, the files and serial numbers to do a clean installation of my most current, fully activated version of Platinum will be available for me to download and burn to DVD. In ten years I will be able to use those DVD's and serial numbers to install that old version on my computer and have it run as it did when the backups were made, even though Cakewalk has been out of business for years and no longer has any active servers.
 
Is this interpretation correct?

cclarry
My order has been placed and I got a $25 discount!

Let the anticipation begin!!! 

So Larry how did you get the discount?  Mike also asked you this.

Willy Jones [Cakewalk]
To clarify a few things:
 
1) Command Center is not required for anything it is simply a tool for your convenience.
2) It's not an iLok - you can use offline authorization still if you'd prefer.
3) We realize that Command Center and this workflow is not for everyone - if you don't want to use it you can continue to download, install and copy and paste serial numbers etc. like you used to.
 
Why did we make Command Center?
Come with me on a journey through Cakewalk download history (note that some of these bullet points are extreme exaggerations) . . .
 
Along time ago we only sold software on DVD's:

• Everyone tells us we suck and they want downloads and we're horrible human beings for making them wait for their DVD's to arrive

We offered SONAR as a download with the option to buy the DVD's still:

• Everyone tells us we suck because the downloads are too big
• Everyone tells us we suck because there are to many files to download
• Upgraders tell us we suck because they're not sure if they need to re-download things from previous versions
• Nobody buys the DVD's we printed so our distributor and printer tells us we suck for having them store all this stuff that we never ship out
• Everyone that has a bad internet connection tells us that we suck because the download got corrupted (it doesn't matter which CDN you use or how much you pay for it - if someone can't download the file its still your fault)
• Everyone that has an ISP that throttles their bandwidth tells us we suck because of combinations of the above

We decided there had to be a better way:

• We broke apart the SONAR installers as much as possible into smaller installers. This allows folks to download and install only what they need.
• The above created a nightmarish management issue and scary first-time experience: "Welcome to SONAR, download and install these 48 things to start making music fast!" ....heh heh evil laugh.
• So we made Cakewalk Command Center (or C3). C3 does the following for you:
  • Gets a list of products you own
  • Tells you when an update is available
  • Can download any necessary files for you
  • Will validate that the file is not corrupted (it does an MD5 check)
  • Install the product for you
  • Allow you to decide which components to install
  • If the product requires a serial number, C3 will take care of that for you
  • End Result: you can go from purchase to running SONAR in under 3 minutes* without ever having to type a serial number.

* This measurement was taken on really bad Comcast cable internet by somebody that already had an account on Cakewalk.com. Actual mileage may vary.
 
 

^^^^^^ THIS!

Just want to say a couple of things:
First, Willy there is a song in that history post that you need to write.
Second, it is as advertised.  In less than 15 minutes (I don't know exactly how long because I started some house cleaning, figuring it would take awhile) I was ready to launch Sonar Platinum.
 
My only niggle is make the version format in the about screen inside Sonar match the format in C3.  I know I am showing my OCD with that one.

Willy Jones [Cakewalk]
To clarify a few things:
 
1) Command Center is not required for anything it is simply a tool for your convenience.
2) It's not an iLok - you can use offline authorization still if you'd prefer.
3) We realize that Command Center and this workflow is not for everyone - if you don't want to use it you can continue to download, install and copy and paste serial numbers etc. like you used to.
 
Why did we make Command Center?
Come with me on a journey through Cakewalk download history (note that some of these bullet points are extreme exaggerations) . . .
 
Along time ago we only sold software on DVD's:

• Everyone tells us we suck and they want downloads and we're horrible human beings for making them wait for their DVD's to arrive

We offered SONAR as a download with the option to buy the DVD's still:

• Everyone tells us we suck because the downloads are too big
• Everyone tells us we suck because there are to many files to download
• Upgraders tell us we suck because they're not sure if they need to re-download things from previous versions
• Nobody buys the DVD's we printed so our distributor and printer tells us we suck for having them store all this stuff that we never ship out
• Everyone that has a bad internet connection tells us that we suck because the download got corrupted (it doesn't matter which CDN you use or how much you pay for it - if someone can't download the file its still your fault)
• Everyone that has an ISP that throttles their bandwidth tells us we suck because of combinations of the above

We decided there had to be a better way:

• We broke apart the SONAR installers as much as possible into smaller installers. This allows folks to download and install only what they need.
• The above created a nightmarish management issue and scary first-time experience: "Welcome to SONAR, download and install these 48 things to start making music fast!" ....heh heh evil laugh.
• So we made Cakewalk Command Center (or C3). C3 does the following for you:
  • Gets a list of products you own
  • Tells you when an update is available
  • Can download any necessary files for you
  • Will validate that the file is not corrupted (it does an MD5 check)
  • Install the product for you
  • Allow you to decide which components to install
  • If the product requires a serial number, C3 will take care of that for you
  • End Result: you can go from purchase to running SONAR in under 3 minutes* without ever having to type a serial number.

* This measurement was taken on really bad Comcast cable internet by somebody that already had an account on Cakewalk.com. Actual mileage may vary.
 
 

Priceless!

TerraSin
Would it be possible to add at least the links to previously purchased items into Command Center even if the app can't install them automatically? 

Yes it is possible and something we can look into. No promises yet but it is possible.
 

slartabartfast
So if  am interpreting this correctly, the files and serial numbers to do a clean installation of my most current, fully activated version of Platinum will be available for me to download and burn to DVD. In ten years I will be able to use those DVD's and serial numbers to install that old version on my computer and have it run as it did when the backups were made, even though Cakewalk has been out of business for years and no longer has any active servers.
 
Is this interpretation correct?

Oddly enough we did devise a 'fallout' plan in the event that our servers become unavailable. Man that's dark though we've been around for like 28 years which is a lifetime in the software world so I hope we don't die in the next 10 ....
 
In such an event we would release one last update that perpetually unlocked the software for everybody. 
 
If you think you'll be able to find a DVD drive in 10 years or a computer still running Windows 8.1, well that's impressive. But yes you could install your backups from your thumb drive (which will literally be built into your thumb in 10 years) and mind read your serial number into the installer because keyboards will no longer be a thing.
 

dwardzala
Just want to say a couple of things:
First, Willy there is a song in that history post that you need to write.
Second, it is as advertised.  In less than 15 minutes (I don't know exactly how long because I started some house cleaning, figuring it would take awhile) I was ready to launch Sonar Platinum.
 
My only niggle is make the version format in the about screen inside Sonar match the format in C3.  I know I am showing my OCD with that one.

 
Glad to hear it was a good experience. I'll get on that song if only I there was bass player around . . . . 

There is a raging internal debate at Cakewalk still going on about what to name the releases ... I'm on the losing side but in addition to the traditional #.#.#.# format we'll be using a 'friendly' release name as well to make it quick and easy to identify which version of SONAR you are running.
 
Speaking of - did you know that C3 has an about screen as well??