Just since brconflict brought it up, I think the much despised Adobe deal actually lets you run something like 99 days without verification online.

Actually, doing some math, Lightroom goes for like 100 bucks on a good day, Photoshop used to go between 550 and 600, so let's be cautious and say 650 for them together. At the non-discounted price of 12.50 a month, the photography deal works out as 150 a year. That means you could use it for over four years before equalling the original purchase. During which time about two upgrade cycles would occur, adding another 400 bucks for Photoshop alone. Which means you could go another three years almost to equal it with subscription costs, adding another update to the cycle, etc.

I'm just taking it as an example because it is a common one. But I really don't think subscriptions are always a bad thing.

Do you think there will be an upgraded version of Melodyne? At least the assistance? I am thinking of upgrading to it now. For €99. But if it comes preloaded in sonar X4 I am going to wait.

I don't think subscriptions will be harder on the hobbyist. Their paying $100.00 to $200 a year anyway. As long as the companies keep it within reason, it should not be a problem. Of course, this delves into the capitalism debate which is the reason for hackers.
 
The upside, and this is the best part, is that you will far more computing power than ever before. The X-box 1 already uses this concept and the gaming is far more powerful in a cloud based system. I don't know a lot about this aspect but it seems reasonable since they said as much on a video game documentary I saw on Netflix. Also, updates will be implemented easier for the developers and probably far more consistant. Again, I'm just guessing.

Just to be clear, Adobe's programs install locally. You do not run them from the cloud. At first, I though it would work that way and you could take advantage of a zillion networked computers to render your feature film in 20 seconds...apparently that's not how it works.

Fun thread    There's a lot of interesting responses.... In reality, I think that a lot of us sorta already are supporting a "maintenance" program and pay (mostly) a yearly $$ for the new versions - usually with enough new fun stuff that it's fun for everybody (win/win).  (Note I don't mean to disparage CW as charging for fixes - that's not what I mean and why I put it in quotes).
 
The key to me is that it's all voluntary, and the software I own.  Yeah, I know - it's a license, bla bla - but I don't expect someone to show up at my door to revoke it.
 
Again, the issue I have (and I know it's not in CW and may never be even considering) - whatever you want to call it - is any software that has to be paid up every month/week/whatever to run.   I don't own Audition or anything like it and never will (pun intended).   Stuff is so good now that I wouldn't have to - I would just miss out on the fun new stuff but so be it.  But maybe I'd get more done and figure out the 50% of stuff I have not even played with.  There's always options.  I still use and enjoy a copy of Adobe Framemaker 7.1 (2003) and will never upgrade due to obscene cost.  My version of VC++ is 2008.  My AutoSketch is 2004 - I use these on a semi daily basis and have not reason to upgrade.
 
I'm sure CW has the best interests of the users and will not do anything to jeopardize that.  And I didn't take the survey to mean they were planning (what I call) a subscription - pay by month.   CW's use of individualized serial numbers for easy install and authorization are rare (I hate challenge response and iLok) and are part of what I respect them for - and happily pay for my version updates to support. 
 

Anderton
privately held corporations generally seek to minimize tax obligations

This is why I believe bundling the mp3 license was dropped from SONAR. While not a government levy it still was a cash outlay the company wanted to avoid.

cityrat
Fun thread    There's a lot of interesting responses.... In reality, I think that a lot of us sorta already are supporting a "maintenance" program and pay (mostly) a yearly $$ for the new versions - usually with enough new fun stuff that it's fun for everybody (win/win).  (Note I don't mean to disparage CW as charging for fixes - that's not what I mean and why I put it in quotes).
 
The key to me is that it's all voluntary, and the software I own.  Yeah, I know - it's a license, bla bla - but I don't expect someone to show up at my door to revoke it.
 
Again, the issue I have (and I know it's not in CW and may never be even considering) - whatever you want to call it - is any software that has to be paid up every month/week/whatever to run.   I don't own Audition or anything like it and never will (pun intended).   Stuff is so good now that I wouldn't have to - I would just miss out on the fun new stuff but so be it.  But maybe I'd get more done and figure out the 50% of stuff I have not even played with.  There's always options.  I still use and enjoy a copy of Adobe Framemaker 7.1 (2003) and will never upgrade due to obscene cost.  My version of VC++ is 2008.  My AutoSketch is 2004 - I use these on a semi daily basis and have not reason to upgrade.
 
I'm sure CW has the best interests of the users and will not do anything to jeopardize that.  And I didn't take the survey to mean they were planning (what I call) a subscription - pay by month.   CW's use of individualized serial numbers for easy install and authorization are rare (I hate challenge response and iLok) and are part of what I respect them for - and happily pay for my version updates to support. 
 

 Some of the older Adobe products are free from their website.  You can get an older version of Audition and Photoshop from them.  I wonder if their new business model of subscription base has a lot to do with losing their partnership with Apple.  

You guys provide all kinds of examples that do not pertain. Given the many variations of subscriptions offered it is no wonder the young and restless jump to the end of the line and obstruct conversation by stating such examples as absolutes.
 
Most of us purchase a "yearly" Sonar version subscription for a renewal/upgrade price. And the software does not expire. If we purchase at the end of the cycle we get all the updates. But NO further support. (Sonar x3 has had 5 issues: a, b, c, d, e. over a period of a little over 6 months.)
 
I, and my clients, use software that required an initial fee, and then a support contract if desired. This software does NOT turn-in-to-a-pumpkin because the support contract has expired.
 
If we renew we get the updates/upgrades for the paid support period. This is more useful than a version subscription.
 
I am advocating CW provide support contracts for specified periods. I buy Sonar 4, and get 1 year (2 years,...) of all updates, AND upgrades. And the products do not stop working on the current OS for as long as I shall live.
 
This means I will get a FULL year(s) of support, not just 6 months. A better value for me. A better value for the company. Less stress on the releasing the next version for the holiday buying season (really? This works?).
 
Anyone should be able to purchase a subscription at anytime of the year, of whatever length offered. CW will benefit significantly. Because  potential customers know they do not have to wait for the next version to purchase/upgrade. Someone is more likely to buy Sx3 in March  (at full price: new/renewal) knowing they will get the all updates/upgrades, INSTEAD of waiting for the (probable) Fall version release. This will result in MORE revenue in March for CW.  No brainer here!  This is good for all of us.
 
Updates/fixes can be released as they are completed, up until the next version's release.
 
Less stress on everyone hitting the deadline for getting the next version out the door and then releasing 3 to 5 updates before the majority of bugs are fixed.
 
Less stress and more time for beta testing by beta testers,..
 
No need for CW dudes to spend time and money on sales and promotions,....
 
Everybody benefits.
 
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I am not a happy camper with w8, office 365,....  I hate that MS is nearly demanding MS accounts on local computers. (it is way annoying to get rid of MS account logons.)  I DO NOT allow my clients use online credentials to use their purchased computers, with their purchased software. I am amazed that no large companies have entered into billion dollar lawsuits to demonstrate privacy invasion, restriction of use, possible collection of personal and company secrets, by the insistence of the MS managers, using porn site techniques, to interfere with users setting-up and using their computers.
 
Anyone using an MS account to login to their purchased device is voluntarily giving ownership to the jerks at MS. They are evil.
 
Why has their not been a congressional investigation into these practices?
 
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Buying one magazine is not similar to purchasing a Sonar renewal. The reasonable likeness is to purchasing a year's subscription.  Which is what you do when you purchase most ALL software. These are version subscriptions.
 
I have a bunch of programs that I have not upgraded cuz the current version works for what I purchased it for. These programs include  a number of Sony programs that have NOT been updated. I may purchase upgrades if they provide usefulness.
 
CW's history has been about selling version subscriptions: get all updates until the next version is released for purchase. This has averaged about 14 months. (I think it was sonar 4 that was released in the spring, could have been s5??? and of course the 2 year wait for????)
 
 

I also took the survey. Avid is adopting some kind of subscription model that I don't understand to receive updates for some interval in the future. Adobe has a subscription model. The facts are that these companies have to pay their bills and be profitable between releases while development is ongoing. It doesn't thrill me but I've expected it ever since Adobe started doing it.

Perhaps an "option" for subscription can be a good idea,and those not concerned about the latest feature(s)will just have to pay the premium price as usual when they want the new features,but once the new version comes out the subscription people are already paid up.I can see how this may benefit both sides,aslong as there's no hard feelings towards those content were they are in any particular version. 
   Really the only reason i would leave Cakewalk is if this were implemented and the program were to lock up had i not done updates,unsubscribed or be forced to connect my workstation to the net regularly.im always hesitant of updates for any softwear for stability reasons,multiple programs ive done updates for,bugs got fixed but many times theyve come with other,more intolerable bugs than the previous,which is why i always keep copys of the last most stable downloader of all my softwear so i can always go back if nessisary.and if you must connect to the net every time,for me and i think many other will agree that would be the deal breaker,for home enthusiasts who spent a good sum of money for there computers not to be on the net everyday collecting __wear's and such,and for those who make there living this way all it would take is one day cakewalk server goes down for any reason and now there not making money that day.
  Basically as long as the currently installed version keeps working regardless of the three points i mentioned a subscription method might be useful for those new feature crazed people,like me at times :-P they would have there update new feature whatever assoon as its out not the following week when they get there check.
       tho paying for "bug fixes" i wont agree with,a product should work as advertised,if hardwear gets a warranty for possible defects in manufacturing then so should softwear to some degree to sell there customers working equipment,atleast for whats advertised.

Sanderxpander
I know we're getting a little off topic here, but honestly I'd use the MP3 integration a lot more if it were any better. There's this weird issue with reported song length, and though I tried following instructions found here, I've never been able to update the outdated algorithm Cakewalk supplies. Even at ten bucks, I feel mildly cheated.

Have you contacted suppport? Not sure what you mean by "weird issue with reported song length," and are you sure the algorithm is outdated and that something new and better is available with the same licensing fee?

The version of LAME used in the Cakewalk encoder (v 3.97) does not accurately report song length when using VBR. Newer versions of LAME have addressed this issue. Not sure what bugs are in the later versions. I have not contacted support about an updated version of the TTSlame.dll.

Maybe cakewalk should move to a prescription plan?