I don't see it changing from how it is now

Perhaps I'm spoiled with my high speed/broadband connection but I've never EVER had a problem with dl'ing stuff from Cake. It's just getting the darned links and codes to show up in my account in a timely fashion that's the problem.
 
I use Firefox though which has a built in download manager so I think that helps. I have no idea why people still use IE. It's better these days but still a mess comparatively.
 
I don't think some wacky dedicated download tool would help those with slow/sketchy connections though. Seems what most people want is to be able to just be able to download the core program without anything else like synths, presets, content, manual, VSTs or whatever. The downloads are definitely separated to a certain extent but the main ones to get Sonar working do have a lot of potentially unnecessary stuff thus making them larger. If someone already has a bunch of previously installed stuff from Cake and/or third party stuff then they may just want the actual DAW to save download times or avoid maxing out their bandwidth caps which is understandable.

LA2A
 the quote functions seem a bit elusive to me, although i haven't tried very hard, i still can't figure it out!!!!!

Clicking on "quote" of the post you want to quote hasn't occured to you yet then ? ;)

Anderton
I actually find NI's Service Manager helpful. Initially the implementation was seriously dreadful, but it's definitely improved over time. I appreciate that it can tell you what updates are available, tracks them, and makes it easy to re-authorize everything if your hard disk crashes. And of course, no dongle is a plus.

I think the best path would be to allow folks to have a choice between the current method and having an optional tool people can download to do the things you describe. I definitely see the value of something like you describe for a quick set up in case of crashes and I definitely like the idea of automatically checking for potential updates but for me it's the type of thing I'd like to be able to install and use if I felt the need to then be able to scrap when I'm done.
 
One of the things almost all Cake fans seem to agree on is that choice is a good thing... even if some prefer more seemingly outdated or potentially problematic options. Like my desire to have access to some of the wonkier older plugs that have been removed over the years just so I can play with them or other people's desire for the old pre X color options.
 
If a download/authentication/update tool/scheme is provided allowing us to use the old method(s) would certainly cut down on the inevitable angst and potential for revolt if it were thrust upon us.
 
Now if  you went the dongle/always online setup some high end programs use... hooboy. That would not end well. lol

A big +1 to the previous post:
Actually, IMO this makes the most sense to me, why hasn't Cakewalk done it this way all along? A bit negligent in my mind, why? Because these DAW companies have access to unlimited data connections and almost arrogantly assume we do or else expect us to, instead of a bit of empathy relating to many users' different internet scenarios, they throw us all in the same bracket and well basically say "Stiff titty buddy! Get a bigger data plan!" Well, here in Australia data is not cheap, this country is now being run by greed, and they make us pay big-time.
Anyway, for example, why not allow us separate downloads of the 32bit or 64bit version to minimize data wastage? I reckon that's a good way to do things, along with the right to choose which packs and plugins and soundbanks are installed from a user-account, this makes sense, but of course also have the whole package available as one download too, can't be that hard can it Cakewalk?
 
Get this, i use the wireless hotspot on my Android phone for all my internet access, and that simply draws from the data provided with my prepaid plan. These plans provide a piddly 500mbs of data with normal monthly phone calls for $29, plans providing 2 or 3 gig of data are around $70, i need 7gig a month for my internet needs, so guess what that would cost? Dig me?
 
Couldn't agree more with the previous post. Cakewalk, please follow the example of Presonus, i showed you what the downloads section for Studio One looks like. However, even Presonus provide only one download for both the 32bit and 64bit version, there is no way to get them separately.
Other plugin companies do something similar, but not all. I have also hounded Izotope about this same issue, because it uses-up internet data needlessly. Separate installers might be a 'minor' inconvenience for say, Cakewalk, but it's a big inconvenience for those on limited internet data plans, every mb counts in my books. Even If i had unlimited internet data, i would still vouch for this idea simply because it's considerate of those with low-data plans.   
 

And for what it is worth all countries should have high speed broadband or risk being left behind. Spain for instance charges about $70 a month for a 3mb connection with usage limits. This is down to monopolies and this is wrong. Blame the ISPs and your govenments for greed and sitting on their arse for too long.Anger should be directed towards them not software companies.

I agree 32 and 64 bit should be split, when Cake supplies a download manager I'm sure you will be able to dowoad just what you need .

robert_e_bone
(for what it's worth, I think ALL countries are run by greed these days).
 
Bob Bone
 

Sad but true. Those who disagree are still plugged into the Matrix.

In regards to posts #18 and #19, well it is definitely coming!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27995437
 
 

robert_e_bone
(for what it's worth, I think ALL countries are run by greed these days).
 
Bob Bone
 

 
which makes me think... whatever happened to "FOR the people, by the people"
 
Here in Australia, the gold companies, the coal companies, the diamond companies, and the iron ore companies, the four biggest earners in the country, pay next to no tax, not by utilizing loopholes in the tax system, but by official sanction of the Australian Government, and yet apparently there is no conspiracy... ha ha, yeah right! Freemason mongrels! Subverting the nations public purse so that their mates can rape the nation and walk away laughing! Why doesn't the Government just run an ad campaign to taunt the people and say "To all the cattle, kiss our butt!" 

It IS "for the people" - just not ALL the people.
 
Bob Bone
 

LA2A

robert_e_bone
(for what it's worth, I think ALL countries are run by greed these days).
 
Bob Bone
 

 
which makes me think... whatever happened to "FOR the people, by the people"
 
Here in Australia, the gold companies, the coal companies, the diamond companies, and the iron ore companies, the four biggest earners in the country, pay next to no tax, not by utilizing loopholes in the tax system, but by official sanction of the Australian Government, and yet apparently there is no conspiracy... ha ha, yeah right! Freemason mongrels! Subverting the nations public purse so that their mates can rape the nation and walk away laughing! Why doesn't the Government just run an ad campaign to taunt the people and say "To all the cattle, kiss our butt!" 

If only you knew. It can be argued that Hitler was propped up by the very same people who control our governments today. Apparently, freedom is a commodity.

mmorgan
You folks be getting awful close to TOS violation. Just sayin is all...

I figure the thread title offers some leeway since it guarantees no useful content will be found within.

Wookiee
 
Well Graig it did not take me 3 to 4 months either but we have had five maintenance patches and the last has broken something that was working in "D".  What I am saying is do we really need a yearly release of a "New" product.  Would it not perhaps be a little better to have say a two year cycle with a more robust product from day one.  Just an old programmers per-s-p-e-c-tive.  (Hyphens because the forum software can not differentiate when the S P E C is contained within a word.)

Cakewalk's release schedule is different from everyone else; most are on 2 years for major releases.  For better or for worse, they can increase interest in the software with new feature announcments and delay bugfixes.  I am sure there are a ton of bugs they won't touch because its on the roadmap for the module to be redesigned.  Why fix X when redesign Y will make it not relevant?
 
IMO, this only becomes a problem when the software never reaches a stable and functional state.  No one is forced to upgrade.  When you find a stable version, stick with it for as long as you want.
 
That said, people who buy into the platform should be given the option to install older versions.

CakeAlexS

200bpm
That said, people who buy into the platform should be given the option to install older versions.

As long as they waive the right to access support. It's far too expensive for one small software company to support multiple versions of it's own software (I think most people would prefer support).

The way I see it is that all new paid for versions must be stable with relatively few bugs within 6 months of release. That would be a reasonable expectation. Bugs being transferred over from an old version of software to a new paid for version should be a thing of the past or consumer confidence will be lost.

  
If cakewalk releases Sonar every year, and half of that time the user base is screaming about bugs, that can't be good for perception.  This is probably why most DAWs are released every two years.

In total honesty, for the last decade i have found Cakewalk's new release versions of their DAW the most exciting of all DAWs, no joke! Almost each and every year not only have they released a new version, but it has always been a version worth taking notice of; i have followed Cakewalk avidly all along more than any other DAW, all the new plugins and features therein just made me giddy with anticipation and very excited, i cannot say that about any other DAW even though i am absolutely open-minded about competition in the DAW world.
 
Clearly there is some conscientious diligence and fine acuity from the dudes at Cakewalk, and i know no one asked for my opinion, but if i was to sum-up Sonar, i would call it "The people's DAW"; it shows no bias in its features and interface, and it tries to accommodate 'all users' in the most streamlined fashion. I think Sonar is the only DAW to have ever struck the ideal balance to accommodate 'any' style of producer, and i unreservedly say kudos to Cakewalk for that. I myself am a 'passionate' EDM producer, and i can confidently say that i have never felt alienated by Sonar, and that's sayin something. Any other DAW i have always felt alienated by. I have never used Propellerhead's Reason, although i have auditioned it and it didn't tickle my fancy, FruityLoops seemed ok, but not for me, and Logic with the latest X version is the first time i have looked at it with a keen eye. Other than that, with a vast audition lineage of all other DAWs, I am only torn between Cubase and Sonar, just sayin.