bwbalint
Not good news.  I had generated the offline Sonar Plt activation response.dat for another computer I had.  Sonar PLT activated easily and went into full ownership mode.  My wife let me install Sonar PLT on a different computer of hers.  I used the same Activation response.dat file I used for my computer.  NO GO! On her computer, Sonar PLT refuses to activate and sweetly confirms that it is still in DEMO mode. 
 
Hence, on my computers anyway, a Activation Response.dat file WILL NOT activate Sonar PLT on a different computer.  Maybe I will delete Sonar on my first computer, and then see if the Activation Response.dat file will work again on that one. This looks to be very computer specific right now!  
 
 

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

Audioicon

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.
 

mikl48
First of all, thanks for yr input, knowledge and passion charlie. I am a novice Plat user and am shocked at the news. Can you tell me if I can do an offline activation for a system I haven't built yet? I'm thinking not from my understanding. thanx Mikl

GregGraves
I wonder how long we will have to wait.  A simple Yes that a fix is truly forthcoming would be encouraging. 

jyoung60
Exactly.  I can see Gibson saying, "Oh by the way, we shut down the servers a few hours ago", and no one had a chance to arrange for getting the activation codes to us. Cue Armageddon....