as in the title - stop using the registry for sonar settings, it would make everything a lot less hassle/risky
 
thoughts?
 

Since the registry is really just a hierarchical database, what would you propose to store all of the stuff that gets written to the registry currently (assuming SONAR were to stay as a Windows only version)? I get the portability aspect of programs like Reaper which is a definite advantage to the user, but not necessarily to the developer. If Cakewalk really is still working on a universal code/Mac OS version of SONAR (I still think it's likely it pops up at some point) - it may all be a moot point as Cakewalk would then likely need to figure out how to move all of their registry data to a file based database that would be compatible with both Windows and Mac.
 

I think a "portable" install option would be nice.  The trade-off being loss of ReWire, file associations and such.

XML files, at least for data that should be portable between installs (eg. VST database).

I detest the registry. In my opinion it's ... well, let's not share my opinion publicly, lol.

I would love the option to have all the configuration stuff in a file collocated with the installation of Sonar or in my documents folder (or a location of my choice).

I know it's probably not as simple as that. But anything is better than the registry. Which I really detest. Did I say that already, hehe

i think, everything that's compulsory for a windows app has to go in the registry (exe path, icon etc) but everything else should be in ".ini" or ".config" type files, and as mentioned above, xml is the perfect format for this
i'm hoping that they're already moving in this direction (away from windows registry)

Developing for a Mac will necessitate a lot of different configuration type setup and files. They may want, or have to re-think configuration in order to keep these more alike. Maybe...

As long as Sonar supports DX/MFX and Control Surfaces in COM format, at least some part of the configuration will be in registry. And if they stop supporting these formats, the thread about the fact will be more interesting then this one...

My two cents might not be what you are trying to accumulate on the post, but...
 
From a perspective of music production, and developing product to sell - my take on  'it would make everything a lot less hassle/risky'  might be different than yours.  Hassle and risky would mean, I can't make money because the system is failing or not predictable, therefore taking on a new credit risk for equipment might not be advisable.   
 
I am happy with the results of the program, or set of programs,  are providing me.  If CW sticks with an architecture, its working optimally for the overall design, and its not causing me grief - I proffer in other fixes, modifications and new tools to use, that will help me produce more music..
 
Take care     

I'm not a fan of the registry, but that's such an ingrained aspect of Windows that I don't know how easy/foolproof it is to circumvent.
 
I'm a pretty simple guy. SONAR works = happy. Not too concerned about what's going on under the hood.