Yup! CakeAlexS, Bapu and esp chuckebaby nailed it! Tbh I've usually figured out if I want something before I even trial it and if I trial it my mind is mad up pretty quick........just my 2c worth...........
 
Edit: Hehe rather than fix my typo I thought I'd leave it.............

I don't code, but I think that would add a layer of complexity that is not in the program. Trial versions need to take a minimal amount of effort to get them out fast.

Anderton
I don't code, but I think that would add a layer of complexity that is not in the program.

It's very simple....
 
if (date1 > date2) {
 // Banish to coffee house
}
else { // show me the money } 
 

I would absolutely prefer a two week logging-dependant "real time" demo to a 30 day total time demo.
I have weeks and months when I have no chance to use SONAR. If I install a demo today, I don't know if I can test it tomorrow or this week.

chuckebaby
ya 30 days total seems like a long time to trial software.
I could record a whole album in 30 days and I think that's unfair to paying customers to have a trial that lasts almost as long as it takes to record a few full length sessions.
 
I think the 30 day thing is to just give you a taste of the daw, not let you use it to make money.
30 full days seems like you could accomplish just that.

Doesn't this mean that only those who can spend 30 days in a row on music can record a whole album and make money? How unfair...

Anyway, if I managed to record a whole album within a month using a new daw, I'd want to keep using such a great program, so I'd probably buy it.

At what point will the trial be complete if one takes 2 years to use the full 30 days? 
 
Also most long time users don't need a trial except in some rare exceptions.  
 
But then I get a basic change in what is to be expected from our business transactions. Where did the notion that individual users are to be specifiably accommodated?  Isn't that asking for custom products in a mass market? I'm not just referring to this idea. I am wondering how the idea was generated. To me its always been a dynamic of you look around and pick the best product for your needs. Thats why there are so many products to choose from. 
 
On first look the idea seems a very nice one but I believe there are too many issues hidden within a disarmingly simplistic proposition.  

Jlien X

chuckebaby
ya 30 days total seems like a long time to trial software.
I could record a whole album in 30 days and I think that's unfair to paying customers to have a trial that lasts almost as long as it takes to record a few full length sessions.
 
I think the 30 day thing is to just give you a taste of the daw, not let you use it to make money.
30 full days seems like you could accomplish just that.

Doesn't this mean that only those who can spend 30 days in a row on music can record a whole album and make money? How unfair...

Anyway, if I managed to record a whole album within a month using a new daw, I'd want to keep using such a great program, so I'd probably buy it.

 
I didn't quote you in my first post but I will here.

its a trial.
its meant to give you a taste of the DAW's features.
not give you a chance to create epic compilations.
 
it appears this is what happens when you give a trial out, some people just cant take a trial for face value and they seem to think they are entitled to more.
you download a trial for a reason, to try it.
 
downloading a trial and then only using it for a few days. that's not cakewalks fault.
you downloaded it for a reason correct ? to try it ?
 
2 or 3  few hour sessions should be enough to give any user a good idea of its features.
and compatibility. no ?
 
a personal logging system ? for each use ?
come on man,
 

 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought the trial versions of SONAR were not 'fully functioning' editions, but had built-in feature limits that would realistically prevent anyone from "making an album in 30 days" with it?
 
And if I'm wrong and it is just a time-limited version of the program, surely it should be crippled in some way as to prevent its practical use during the trial period? I know a lot of trial versions of VSTs add a periodic blip of noise to make their use unviable, and some products don't allow you to save your work.
 
As others have said, a trial version should only really give you a 'flavour' of the software, and should be functional to a level only to be used as a comparison with trial versions of other software before you shell out your hard-earned cash on the product that suits you best.
 
I'm all for Cakewalk spreading the word and selling more products, but I don't think giving away free use of fully functioning £400/$600 software for 30 non-consecutive days is fair to the rest of us who pay for it year in, year out.
 
 

LOL the backlash begins....
 
The prosecutor wishes to have flexible days of his choosing during a trial.
The defence wishes to continue with the 30 day trial period.
 
In the meantime a countersuit states the 30 day trial period is unfair to existing Sonar users.
 
But which is best?
 
Only one way to find out....
 

 
FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
(If you've never heard of Harry Hill click here)

There is no fight. Just different points of view. 
 
Oh and the trial is a fully functioning version without all the addons but it comes with a few.