There are many advantages to true cloud (remote program execution) software.
1. No piracy: since there is never a copy of the software that is out of the control of the owner/landlord there is no way to steal or crack it, or to sell second hand copies.
2. No update problems (aka Forced Upgrade) bug fixes and features can be automatically added and need not be distributed. No worry that your customer will find that he can still do anything he needs with version 1.0 when you are selling version 23.11
3. No hardware or software compatibility issues: Since the remote hardware can be completely defined and program can be the only program running on the remote server it does not matter what the client is using
4. Operating system agnosticism: the client may be running a completely different OS than the server (as in much web browsing today) and the server need not be running an expensive or potentially problematic updated OS (until Microsoft or Apple figure out how to move the OS to the cloud)
5. Minimal support issues: the landlord only has to keep his own software and hardware running, and can avoid dealing with problems on the client side altogether. If you are paying your own support staff, some of that is now transferred to the landlord.
6. Continuous revenue stream: No need to offer sale prices to get the new (or obsolete) version out the door and hope you make enough on the initial release to keep running.
7. Access to cheap massive computing power: no need to buy or support a supercomputer that is used only infrequently, the landlord can provide that power for a fee when it is needed
 
As you may have noticed these advantages, as in most rental arrangements, asymmetrically favor the landlord. The only clear advantage to the average user is the potential reliability gain by having the software running somewhere else where it is understood and maintained by experts. Since the landlord has near total control over distribution of the software, it is pretty much inevitable that much of what can be moved to the true cloud will be.
 
Resistance is futile. Meld with the Borg. 
 
 
 

dimelives1

paulo
From the consumers view, nothing. From the vendors view, that way they can't make you buy the "new, improved" version every year.

Well then I guess they'd just have to focus on continuing to make a truly great program that you just can't refuse...

Or at least fixing the one you already bought, first ;)

The new Adobe model is exactly why I will not be upgrading either Photoshop or Lightroom.

WallyG
"3. Your software will always be up to date, the newest version, the newest features, so no more need to wait for the next version that will be released in a year or two... hopefully. When there is something new, you get it!"
 
As an Adobe user, I see this as good for Adobe, bad for the consumer. What is the incentive for them to improve their products for the existing customer base? Once you join the Cloud, you're locked in if you need to use their software. It's like a captive audience.
 
For me I'm going to stick with Adobe Creative Suite CS5. It works for me and I won't have to spend $360/yr for the privilege of using their software. I'm not a pro graphics guy that needs the latest and greatest...
 
Walt

I feel exactly the same way. And graphic design and printing is what I do career wise.
I can do everything I need with InDesign 5.
Heck, I still use PageMaker 6.5, too.

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]true cloud based model
FWIW, we use Creative Cloud here and it has worked out pretty well. Believe this has been corrected but you do not need to be online to use the program. You do need to connect once a month to renew your subscription but beyond that it works like any other software offline. There are def pros and cons depending on if you like to own your software or you are ok with renting. Craig Anderton just wrote an article on Harmony Central about this issue.
 
http://www.harmonycentral...ssue-225/ba-p/35542813

I take it  that this unusual post by one of the Cakewalk minions indicates there is at least some discussion at the Roland end of things to make Sonar a subscription  model application. If it has not, one would wonder why not given the favorable benefits.
 
Just to be clear, a subscription model offers none of the advantages to the user of a true cloud based model (see post # 20 above), but most of those advantages to the software distributor. Since Cakewalk/Roland owns Sonar and can do as they like with the product, there is nothing to stop them from adopting the advantageous (to them but not to us) model except customer resistance. Unless users are willing to go to a competitor (losing all the valuable time they have spent learning how to use Sonar and all of the work they have saved as Sonar proprietary files), and competitors are willing to continue to actually sell their software (or at least license it perpetually), resistance is futile. But don't worry I already own the somewhat-buggy-but-probably-good-enough-for-my-purposes-for-now-at-least Sonar X2.

There are some true advantages to a subscription based model even for the consumer.  Depending of the fee the pay as you go model might be more palatable than the every or every other year upgrade. The software company might be able to even out release and patch cycles based on a more steady revenue stream etc...
 
It goes wrong in a couple of areas:
 
Hardware/OS compatibility (There may/will be a point where the software maker ditches support for a platform before you are ready to ditch) You could get forced to bite the bullet on a new system at a bad time.
 
The second is a little more of a downer... We are all fortunate to be able to afford recording systems and have the time to make/capture music. If things got bad financially I take some solace in knowing I can always stop spending on gear and software and still be able to record as long as my hardware holds up. That fallback goes out the window in a subscription based model.
 
just my 2 cents
 
George