SONAR Plus Version 1 Released (13th March 2011, Update 1.0.0.6 Available)

Update, 13th March
Version 1.0.0.6 has been released to address a couple of minor issues. Please see www.sonarplus.co.uk/pages/downloads.aspx for more information. A list of what's new in version 1 has also been posted. 
 
Hi all,
 
I've finally finished SONAR Plus (at last). No more 'beta' or 'release candidate', this is the real deal. It's been a long road but I'm very pleased with the result.
 
I did intend to post lots of information and screenshots. Unfortunately it's taken a lot longer than I'd planned just to get the downloads ready. See www.sonarplus.co.uk for more information and the download links. I'll post a lot more information about it tomorrow, including a full 'what's new' list. It's late here now and I'm flagging, so if you want more information before you install it, please check www.sonarplus.co.uk tommorrow (Saturday 12th). 
 
If you used any of the old SONAR Plus beta and/or release candidate versions, I recommend resetting your preferences after installing SONAR Plus version 1:

1. Make sure SONAR Plus is not running.
2. In Windows Explorer, open the folder where you installed SONAR Plus. By default, it's 'C:\Program Files\Benstat\SONAR Plus'.
3. Run 'ResetPreferences.cmd'.

This should be the last time you ever have to reset your preferences. Future versions will automatically use your current preferences (such as your customized toolbar layout). You may also want to do the following to ensure that no beta/release candidate files have been left behind by older versions:

1. In your Windows 'All Programs' menu, run 'SONAR Plus Administration' which is in the 'SONAR Plus' folder.
2. Click the 'Cleanup' button.

This will also make sure there are no old links to SONAR X1 Helper in the SONAR Utilities menu. 
 
I hope you find it useful.
 
Thanks,
Ben

Edit: It now has a proper setup program that takes care of the installation (and uninstallation) for you. For a quick list of what's new (albeit out of date and incomplete), see http://www.sonarplus.co.uk/Pages/About.aspx. Even those who downloaded the latest release candidate should install this, because it has a lot of changes in it.
 
Edit 2: I should point out, in the interests of transparency, that the setup program creates a shortcut on your desktop and in your 'All Programs' menu. It also adds SONAR Plus to the SONAR 'Utilities' menu, which involves adding a single Windows Registry key. If you subsequently uninstall SONAR Plus via the Control Panel, all of the above will be automatically removed.
 
Edit 3: To anyone concerned about the 'Microsoft .NET Framework' that's mentioned during installation, don't be. It's just the latest version of a standard Microsoft software development library that SONAR Plus uses (similar to the Microsoft C++ library that SONAR X1 uses). It's so common these days, that versions of it are actually built-in to Windows Vista and Windows 7, and included in Windows Update. The Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 is just the latest version of that.
 
Edit 4: Added info about resetting preferences.

Awesome work, Ben!

installing now.  can't wait to use it!  thanks ben!

greaT WORK

Hey Ben, when you wake up could you tell me what this error means:

"This is not possible because the MultiDock is not currently available."

This happens whenever I open Sonar X1 Producer via your new shortcut.  It's great to see the name change so as to be able to pin it to the taskbar.

Thank you for all of your hard work.

One or two teething problems, which is is frustrating given the amount of testing I've done. Nothing serious, but a couple of irritating messages popping up. I'll get an update out later today.

I just updated the original post with some information about resetting your preferences if you used any of the old beta/RC versions.

It may resolve the 'Unable to find Control Bar window' error that some people are seeing (please let me know if it does).

Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone.

Thanks John. I've already done a fix for the floating Control Bar problem. I'll post an update later today.

It works perfectly Ben.  Outstanding work and BTW nice install setup.

Now what am I going to complain about?

I've been hanging on the .net screen for about ten minutes now is this normal?? kinda slow connection

Then try this.  I can get there by going to the Sonar Mods forum but it wont take as a link. Sorry.

Thanks John.

amiller - yes it looks for and downloads .Net 4.0 if it's not there, but I don't know how he handles it if you don't have internet connection.

ben - I have uninstalled 1.0 and then installed 1.0.0.5 and it still has the same problem with not launching Sonar+ on a project where my CB is floating.  I see no different behavior from before the update on my system.

No worries Ben and don't kill yourself over it.  when it gets fixed, it gets fixed.  if that be a couple of weeks from now my world won't end!

Ben in my book you can do nothing wrong. Things happen and we just deal with them as they come along.

I don't think you realize how we are in total admiration for you. A glitch is nothing except some here haven't been able to get hold of your latest work of art. That is the only shame.