A SAD DAY FOR THE WORKNG CLASS what now for everyone, maybe ABELTON or keeping SONAR going somehow... i do wondert about access codes and serial numbers and all that, which someone will probably solve, the best owner is going to be microsoft

If you mean "What DAW is the best for the money?", well, Sonar is right now if you already have it. It's unlikely to stop working or installing/activated for a while yet, but it is a risk. Replacement cost wise, Reaper comes in at only about $60. You don't get loads of additional plugins and bonus material with it though. There are also a couple of deals running still I think. The Magix deal for Samplitude Pro X 3 Suite including Sound Forge Pro and Spectral Layers and the huge bundle of plugins included with Samplitude is pretty unbeatable and is the best bang for buck deal I have seen so far. You should find a link in this forum somewhere for that, but I think it ends soon.
 
Ultimately the best for the money, regardless of cost, is whatever works best for you. Try the demos :)

I just found out about Gibson's decision. I have been using the cakewalk line of products for at least 20 years. It is a true shame but then there are business realities.
 
On a selfish note, since I intend on using Sonar for the foreseeable future is it now possible to get the most current version of Sonar Platinum to update my existing Platinum version that I did not do support for 2017?  I ask as I do not believe you could even buy it now. 
 
Why did I not pay for the year support fee? This was because it was at the time that Cakewalk was selling Life support and I did not get one of the email blasts that extended it to the end of the year so I thought I missed it and was unaware I could have still obtained it. This made me frustrated so I elected not to pay last year.
 
I know some folks will say that it would be unfair to catch people up to date who do not have the most current version but then again, those that were "renting" the software now get permanent keys and in many cases they did not pay anywhere near the full price of ownership.
 
I would be interested in opinions about my inquiry.
 
I am saddened for the folks that worked so hard over the years and have personal and professional pride in their creations. I do wish all the best in their new ventures.
 
Best Regards,
 
Trankonia

Well it’s really a moot point as there’s no way to upgrade or purchase anything from the Cakewalk Store.

Unless,you have Sonar licenced right up to 2017-10 (Version 23.10.0.14) there’s just no legal way to get it further than what you have now.

People who were on monthly payments got their payments halted but received a fully licenced product up to the time of their payment anniversary as it was through no fault of theirs that they couldn’t make further payments. That was the only reasonable thing to do for them.

Now as for people who chose not to renew their program or get Life time updates when they were offered and then the offer extended even further; well they had a choice and made it. That’s the roll of the dice.

I agree with Mike. It was a sticky wicket with the monthly payment people and was a tough one to sort out.  Those people were in a lurch and it was not by their choice.  I don't begrudge them the licence. Really hurts no one and a lot of them will switch DAW's anyhow. 
 
But for what ever reasons people didn't renew their annual licence but they do own a working copy of Sonar.  you did have a choice.  
It pay's off 10 fold to visit this forum and keep on top of what is happening. And the opportunities that are posted here pay for themselves over and over if you PAY ATTENTION. 
Like did you know you can get a free copy of the latest Home Studio... Pay attention its all over this forum.