Subject asks it all.

They've promised that the servers will remain up, but didn't specify for how long. Many companies with similarly customer-centric cultures have left their download pages live for years and years. Even Apple, famous for not giving a damn about what customers think, gave ample warning to Camel users before pulling the plug.
 
The big question is whether authorizations will still be possible. People kept their Kjaerhus plugins going for a long time after the developer vanished, until eventually they had to upgrade their computers and couldn't re-authorize. Of course, Kjaerhus was a special case. As far as we know, nobody from Cakewalk is going to prison.
 

I feel they should let you have a stand alone installer that doesn't need the online security link. I paid for it. There's nothing I would ever need to add to Sonar but I don't want lose what I have. I've been working on a huge project for a year and don't want to try and finish it in another DAW. Not fair to me and more importantly not fair to the guy that's paying for the project. The customer won't pay for my learning curve.
 
Here's hoping that things will be stable for a while, but I just don't trust Gibson anymore. I mean, how could I trust them ever again after buying into lifetime updates.

ampfixer
I feel they should let you have a stand alone installer that doesn't need the online security link. I paid for it. There's nothing I would ever need to add to Sonar but I don't want lose what I have.
 

I agree. When they sell a product with the promise of "Lifetime Updates" like Splat, they (Gibson) have the obligation to keep reinstalls & authorizations also 'infinitely' possible.

Well in the same thought.... are we still going to get bug fixes and new crap? NO!
So why would I ever think that Gibson would even keep a server up and running? a lair is a Lair!
Who is out there with Cakewalk to create the installer?  
 
 
 

Someone in another post (I can't remember which) gave a way to ensure a way to reauthorize SONAR and some Cakewalk VSTs:
If you take certain steps now, you shouldn't have to worry about the servers being offline to activate the software. Most of the software that was part of SONAR didn't require online activation. According to the Cakewalk knowledge base on the following items required activation:
Music Creator Pro
Rapture Pro/Sessions
SONAR Platinum/Professional/Artist
Z3TA+ 2
CA-2A
Cakewalk provides offline activation. Install the software. Once it is installed, click on the option for offline activation. It will create a file. Upload this to Cakewalk. It will generate an activation file. Download this file and SAVE IT. This is then used to activate the software. If you save these files, you can always come back and activate the software without the need for internet access or Cakewalk servers to be active.

The philips brand is mentioned. Could the cakewalk product be rebranded as a Philips product?

mcdoma2000
 
Cakewalk provides offline activation. Install the software. Once it is installed, click on the option for offline activation. It will create a file. Upload this to Cakewalk. It will generate an activation file. Download this file and SAVE IT. This is then used to activate the software. If you save these files, you can always come back and activate the software without the need for internet access or Cakewalk servers to be active.

That works *as long as the machine ID does not change*.  IE you upgrade your computer.  Not sure what CW considers upgrade or sufficient to change machine ID (hard drive? etc).  Mother board will DEFINITELY generate a new machine ID and require re-activation (offline or otherwise).

I've always believe every company should be required to have a written *exit strategy* in place PRIOR to selling the software using challenge / response that defines their support in the event of this kind of situation.  As it is - the customer is left wondering.
 
 
 

cityrat

mcdoma2000
 
Cakewalk provides offline activation. Install the software. Once it is installed, click on the option for offline activation. It will create a file. Upload this to Cakewalk. It will generate an activation file. Download this file and SAVE IT. This is then used to activate the software. If you save these files, you can always come back and activate the software without the need for internet access or Cakewalk servers to be active.

That works *as long as the machine ID does not change*.  IE you upgrade your computer.  Not sure what CW considers upgrade or sufficient to change machine ID (hard drive? etc).  Mother board will DEFINITELY generate a new machine ID and require re-activation (offline or otherwise).

I've always believe every company should be required to have a written *exit strategy* in place PRIOR to selling the software using challenge / response that defines their support in the event of this kind of situation.  As it is - the customer is left wondering. 

Also - there doesn't seem to be a way to set this up if you're *already authorised* - ie there is no
Help -> Offline Authorisation.

I noticed that in Cakewalk 'My Products' that all of my older products are listed with serial numbers AND registration codes, so they should be all set for offline installs and activations.
 
But for all of my newer Cakewalk products, including Platinum, that are 'connected' through the Command Center, only the serial numbers are listed.  No registration codes.
 
Is there an easy way to obtain registration codes for these 'connected' products?