I intend to stay with Sonar for as long as possible. I even wanted to get an upgrade to Platinum from Professional, and especially a copy of Rapture Pro and Z3TA+2, somehow. If I were a professional studio, I would need to consider various options, but as a hobbyist and someone who has spent quite a lot of time studying the software the past few months, I really like Sonar. (A few relevant thoughts from another thread about kicking the tires/tyres.)

I just really started to get the hang of Sonar so I am in until it doesn't work anymore. I am just a Hobbyist and am in no rush to find another. Even the thought of starting over is a big downer. Was in the mist of building a new computer when all of this happened. Watching all the videos about different DAWs in enough to make your head spin and then what happens if you pick the wrong one and this happens all over again? I do want to say Thank you to bitflipper for all the great videos attachments he posted in the form.  

Cactus Music
I'm not paying 1 cent for another DAW. Possibly never. I have the best DAW and it will still run 10 years from now,,, I'll be 74..
Actually let me add that I will pay for a new DAW if that new DAW is the res-erected Sonar. I'm more optimistic than ever. Sonars code is priceless and we WILL see it return. 
 
So like many of you I kicked the tires on a bunch of DAW's, for me it was just something I do from time to time to re confirm my loyalty to Sonar. And reading all the latest posts is also a great insight into what is what. I've learned more about these other DAW's in the last 2 days than I have in the last decade. 
 
Bottom line- Every DAW I either demoed or looked at on web pages was like going back to Sonar 8.5 GUI and midi editing wise. 
So I see it as a huge waste of time and money to even think about a different DAW, Some are pretty cheap, like Mix Craft but what am I getting? I'm getting a DAW that is like Sonar 8.5.... I still have 8.5 so why would I spend $100 to buy what I have? 
 
I know some of you are all worked up and feel this is a good time to buy into an alternative while they are offering deals, But those deals will probably always be there in one way or another. And ask yourself this.. why would I want to stop using Sonar? You already have what you want. 
 
The bottom line is Sonar 23.10 is years ahead of all these alternatives as far as my brief foray showed me. I guess it comes down to what tools you were using.  But for me MIDI editing and the new PVR is just something I cannot be without. None of the DAW's I tried, including Cubase are as advanced as Sonar for using VST's and midi. Even Home Studio is more advanced than most these DAWs and it was a bargain @ $50. 
 
So I have 5 new Daw's installed on my computer some make noises, some expire in 14 days and some 30. I'll poke around a bit more later but right now I've got work to get done so I'm back to Sonar until I'm feeling the urge to explore again.  
 
Here's to a long road ahead using Sonar. 
 

Cactus . . . LOL it's all true, everything you've said . . . thanks you for the much needed optimism here !
 
If I can stay with Sonar, I most certainly will . . . but for me the fear of old software that will no longer work is a real fear, and I have a lot software / plugs that I spent a lot of money for, and can no longer use as time marches on.
 
I also agree regarding the recent PRV improvements, they have made a huge difference in my composing work flow, and I would be very reluctant to give that up, and my DAW searches haven't found anything to meet my high standards. Simply put, Sonar has spoiled me . . . only Cubase seems to have a depth that is comparable to Sonar Platinum.
 
I still need to make a living into the future, so I think I will get Cubase, and dabble with it as a back up, since there are some great features for composers there. I get the feeling I will still be spending most of my time in Sonar, and hope my disk imaging and back up plan saves the day.

I went thru a similar situation when Adobe decided to no longer upgrade Audition a few years ago. I'm stuck at version 6CS or something like that. The world did not end. I still use Audition in it's final form and it serves me well. However, with Sonar/Gibson, it has become a matter of trust, as I feel ripped off over the lifetime updates issue. What are they going to pull next ?? That's why I'm migrating over to Cubase. I need a good midi recording program to cover my midi needs in the event Sonar dies out for some reason. I'm also downgrading to the Elements version, because I no longer need all the bells and whistles of a full fledge program. I don't need tons of synths, virtual instruments, etc...just a basic midi recording program would do me just fine. 

To those who say Cakewalk screwed them, you are pointing a finger at the wrong villain.
Cakewalk and it's employees did not pull the plug. Gibson did. 
 
And who cares, the whole point is we have the best DAW for life if we so choose. We were not really screwed at all. In a way we got more than we paid for.. at least that's how I feel after looking at the other offerings. Go ahead and spend more money, that's good for the MI,  we need more like you to keep the wheels greased. Myself I will take that money and buy a better Pre Amp.. that will make my DAW experience that much better!  

You fools! The Cakewalk Bunny has hypnotised you all. But I'll be sticking with Sonar. 
 
All praise the Cakewalk Bunny.

Still use Sonar as it's the best even without the updates  but have taken advantage on the Harrison Mixbus offer..
 

I'm sticking with Sonar as my main DAW until the end, and I have no intention of spending any money on another DAW until I need to. Right now I have installed on my PC a full copy of Samplitude X3 Pro, and a fully licensed copy of Reaper, and those are all I need as backups. 
 
I think it is good advice, though, to make sure you are not 100% entrenched with one DAW (or any one piece of software or software environment, for that matter) because you never know what is going to happen down the road, as technology and the markets change. Today's iconic brand is tomorrow's lamented memory, and its nice to be able to jump with confidence to an alternate environment/platform should your favored product end up on the losing end of a corporate take-over or market shakeup. 
 
It was very interesting to take a tour of other DAWs this week (the one slight upside to an otherwise very depressing few days), and I liked playing around with Mixcraft and Studio One 3. I figured it couldn't hurt to at least see what they are about before I pass up on any one-time crossgrade deals. They're all decent products with lots of potential, but none of them will replace Sonar, and so I'll just carry on carrying on. SPLAT until the end.

I don't want to change either. I am SO used to everything about SONAR and other demos so far are frustrating me for various reasons. It is weird however using it now, knowing I can't ever again bug anyone at Cakewalk to help me with this issue or that.