I have confidence they will create an off line activation.
My only problem is having to check this forum every few hours for an update.
 
It reminds me of owning a car that at anytime could stop running even though you have a key in the ignition.
Be nice to have a time frame on when this is coming.

chuckebaby
I have confidence they will create an off line activation.
My only problem is having to check this forum every few hours for an update.
 
It reminds me of owning a car that at anytime could stop running even though you have a key in the ignition.
Be nice to have a time frame on when this is coming.

Hey Chuck, how will you/we deal with the bugs that could come up from windows updates in the future as we will not have any more fixes from the bakers?
Can a windows PC remain stable without updates?

SandlinJohn

Groovemage
Q1.What happens when due to Windows updates, in the future, Sonar gets buggy, and without any new fixes from the bakers?
Q2. Can a Windows PC, run smoothly without updates? What is the workaround for these potential probems/  

A1. It will be an unusual Windows Update that kills Sonar, but it could happen. At that point, it will be like any other software that no longer has developer support. It will be broken. I am seriously thinking about creating a Windows 7 workstation so I don't have to worry about a windows update doing that.
 
A2. They can, but you have to be wary that there are bugs in Windows that will be exploited unless you keep that machine completely isolated from the Internet and be very careful about Flash Media. The vast majority of Windows updates, even with the rolling feature updates, are Security Patches and vulnerability fixes. 

Windows Workstation, any details/how guide/info on that?

can a mod please restore my deleted post.
thank you
Never mind

Well - I have tested the old instruments like Dimension Pro, Z3TA 2 (Not 2.2) and Rapture that all have a Serial number and Registration code in my account. I installed them on a machine that had never seen Sonar (X and Platinum) on it, and also has no Command Center installed - ever. A complete clean install on a machine that has never seen any Cakewalk stuff on it!
 
All the the programs installed without problem with the serial number. Also - all programs where activated with Registration code (some like Dimension Pro and Rapture had to be run in administrator mode to be able to activate). And worked without any problem in stand-alone mode. This proves that these old install methods are not in any way tied to your computer hardware.
 
Next test was on FL-Studio that was installed on this computer, and all instruments (Rapture, Z3TA 2, Dimension Pro) worked without any problem in a non-Sonar environment. They did not need Sonar or the Command Center to be fully functional.
 
So - the only problem seems to be with the applications that only have a serial number and no Registration number. For those we need a reliable off-line activation in the case the activation servers go off-line. And to be honest - I rather see and get them now, before all Cakewalk assets (including servers) go belly-up.

Groovemage

chuckebaby
I have confidence they will create an off line activation.
My only problem is having to check this forum every few hours for an update.
 
It reminds me of owning a car that at anytime could stop running even though you have a key in the ignition.
Be nice to have a time frame on when this is coming.

Hey Chuck, how will you/we deal with the bugs that could come up from windows updates in the future as we will not have any more fixes from the bakers?
Can a windows PC remain stable without updates?

Short answer, yes
Absolutely.
Because Sonar is no longer creating new features (that use new C++ library's, new framework) You will not need new windows updates. However...
There may come a point when a windows updates does something to create a conflict. In this case you'll have to make a corporate decision.

chuckebaby
Some of you may be concerned about the servers going down.
To be honest, I think Cakewalk will offer a fix before this happens, so no need for panic.
 
However one can see from the Membership FAQ where you stand as far as the servers going down.
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2016000074/Membership-FAQ
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My membership expired, can I still use my software?

This depends on if you officially "own" it.

• If you paid "upfront" or through the "annual" payment option, then you are given 12 months of updates and automatically own your version of SONAR.
• If you paid "monthly" or through the "rent-to-own" payment option, then you must complete 12 consecutive payments to obtain ownership status.

How do I check if I "own" my version of SONAR?

Simply launch SONAR and then go to the Help > About menu. If you see the words "Status: owned", then you own it! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
As a simple test:
1- Go to device manager and disable your Wi-Fi, broadband, exc connection or simply unplug your internet.
2- Open Sonar and create a test project and save it.
3- If you are able to save your project then you will be able to use Sonar without the servers for as long as you live.
 

 
If this is what you see then you can not make an Offline authorization. However it is nice to have a back up off line authorization.
If you have another PC install sonar and go through the steps
https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013384/Offline-Activation
 
1- After installing SONAR, open the Help menu > Offline Activation > Export Activation Request to open the Save activation request dialog box
2- Select the folder to which you want to save the activation request, then click Save. This generates an activation request file with a .crq extension
3- Copy the .crq file to an online computer (using a USB drive, for example).
4- Open SONAR's Help menu > Offline Activation > Import Activation Response to open the Import activation response dialog box
5- Select the .dat file that you downloaded and click Open. A toast notification will let you know that SONAR is activated and ready to use.
 
This off line authorization will be good for the life of Sonar.

So you are saying we should now believe Cakewalk/Gibson has our back?
Given what I have seen these past few days, it is apparent these people do not have our interest at heart.

Stop dreamming my friend, your coffee is getting cold. :)

Groovemage

SandlinJohn

Groovemage
Q1.What happens when due to Windows updates, in the future, Sonar gets buggy, and without any new fixes from the bakers?
Q2. Can a Windows PC, run smoothly without updates? What is the workaround for these potential probems/  

A1. It will be an unusual Windows Update that kills Sonar, but it could happen. At that point, it will be like any other software that no longer has developer support. It will be broken. I am seriously thinking about creating a Windows 7 workstation so I don't have to worry about a windows update doing that.
 
A2. They can, but you have to be wary that there are bugs in Windows that will be exploited unless you keep that machine completely isolated from the Internet and be very careful about Flash Media. The vast majority of Windows updates, even with the rolling feature updates, are Security Patches and vulnerability fixes. 

Windows Workstation, any details/how guide/info on that?

Buy a copy of Windows 7 (yes they are still readily available)
After that you have several options open, but if it was me I'd consider building a new computer, patch Win 7 so it's completely up to date, then install SONAR along with whatever 3rd party plugins & instruments you need

Bristol_Jonesey

Groovemage

SandlinJohn

Groovemage
Q1.What happens when due to Windows updates, in the future, Sonar gets buggy, and without any new fixes from the bakers?
Q2. Can a Windows PC, run smoothly without updates? What is the workaround for these potential probems/  

A1. It will be an unusual Windows Update that kills Sonar, but it could happen. At that point, it will be like any other software that no longer has developer support. It will be broken. I am seriously thinking about creating a Windows 7 workstation so I don't have to worry about a windows update doing that.
 
A2. They can, but you have to be wary that there are bugs in Windows that will be exploited unless you keep that machine completely isolated from the Internet and be very careful about Flash Media. The vast majority of Windows updates, even with the rolling feature updates, are Security Patches and vulnerability fixes. 

Windows Workstation, any details/how guide/info on that?

Buy a copy of Windows 7 (yes they are still readily available)
After that you have several options open, but if it was me I'd consider building a new computer, patch Win 7 so it's completely up to date, then install SONAR along with whatever 3rd party plugins & instruments you need

Thanks, problem I got is that I am getting a new PC with 7th gen i7, which will only run W10 coz MS put a block in it functioning in W7

Amicus717
Noel has updated his announcement with a short FAQ confirming that we'll be issued a patch that will allow us to activate without the internet, if the servers go down. To quote directly:
 
FAQ:
Q. What if the cakewalk site goes down - will we be able to reinstall and activate our software that is paid for and owned?
A. If and when Cakewalk's servers are taken down, we will issue a mechanism to activate software you own, without needing access to the internet. We're working on the mechanics of this and we'll provide more details as available. At present online activation is fully functional.
 
That is right from the official announcement sticky in the forums.

I'm hopeful they go ahead and do this without the "if and when" they are taken down.  There is no reason we should have to wait for some unknown period of time to get the fix we should all have.  In theory this if and when could be years from now.  Since Sonar is a stale product moving forward we shouldn't have to keep in contact so to speak to know when this is happening.  
 
Servers should be up for a while and the no need to phone home activation process should be rolled out ASAP.   
 
I fully understand they would need sometime to develop the solution, but I don't think it is reasonable to wait for the "if and when" to actually happen.