Customer Support [Cakewalk]
Hey all,
Let me help try to dispel some of the myths that seem to be making the rounds in this thread. I'm also being a bit candid here, and it probably won't be the stock response you'd expect at this point.
First, while we didn't specifically mention install/reinstall in the FAQ, we've mentioned there, and also now on our home page, that our servers and website will remain active, and there will be no changes to how you can access your products. I know the feeling you get when you read "at this time" or "as of now", etc, but that's the best way we can be open and honest with you. We have no control over what happens to us next, but we were told that moving forward, servers will remain up. There's currently no indicator that this will change, what day that could change, etc, so all we can say is what we know. As strange as this may sound, it's sort of business as usual for now. Uninstall, reinstall, and authorize as little or as often as you need. If it makes you more comfortable, get the downloadable installers and put them on a hard drive, another machine, etc. If one day someone decides to shut everything down, we'll have a plan in place for you to authorize without the server.
The less fun thing for me to bring up is all the mentions of bug fixes. Unfortunately, this is another "at this time" situation. Gibson has in fact ceased operation and development of Cakewalk products. Bug fixes are definitely part of what the development team works on, and without a development team... well... you know the rest. The few of us here have been working on plans A, B, and C for different scenarios. If we get sold, shut down entirely, or somehow repurposed, we're doing our best to ensure we have a plan in place for our users. Don't forget, we're still SONAR users too, and we still want it to exist as much as anybody else.
Though I may get some flack for this, I'll even mention Lifetime Updates. In short, it looks good on paper. If Gibson didn't shut down Cakewalk, it'd still be something we could honor. Of course, the term "Lifetime" should always be met with the question of "what lifetime?". During the promotion, we said "even if we change SONAR Platinum to SONAR ___, you'll still get updates" and believe it or not, we meant it. I personally would have looked with caution, but if the plan was for updates to be enhancements and bug fixes, and then charge for new content, instruments, and major features, the business plan now seems to make more sense. It's unfortunate that it comes off as a "too good to be true" situation, but considering annual updates were $249 on our site for just about all of 2017, I still think the price for the now dreaded LTU wasn't all that bad. I know of a certain industry standard that costs more for a single year anyway, and they definitely weren't handing out new features each month.
Now a question for you all: would it be helpful if we continued to update the FAQ when we receive new information, or to address some of your concerns? Otherwise, what do you think the best way for us to relay information would be? I'm open to doing whatever it takes to keep you all in the loop.
Yep some flack....Lifetime...two words joined together...Meaning + What are the two words...what makes words be...and are they bound by agreements if charged a cost for buying of...the terms, using words of promise to continue...for life, until life ends....of those working on were paid to continue to do when paid to do...as asked of us users to pay forward..for.
Lifetime updates, do not come from a name brand, nor a box of black goo of poo...They come from those coders of human living entities who asked be given payment, given forward for lifetime updates..with some other misleading showings of possible outcomes if life of the coders or users...was not made clear enough?
Hmmm...company name has no life..nor does code...Life is in the user, and the makers of...As they still exists....if to break the agreement of those whom paid for...and bugs remain or will manifest due to change of OS or unforeseen cause....That living entity must update the bugs so no bugs are...for the life of those users, or coders f
or to make as agreed!
What comes out of the mouth...is to be made Trustworthy and True!...or it defiles much!
Words and meanings there of words used...are not determined by Sonar, Cakewalk, or Gibson...or other...As words have meanings defined by knowns, diction, proper translations if used were put...before asking for to be paid forward by living entities, by same living entities...Human, or some mutated form there of having life...knowing the meaning and it's true applications...hold the meanings in line to the meanings there of if used.