Having read the official announcement, my first thoughts are with the Cakewalk employees who must be devastated by Gibson's decision, although I guess there was a certain inevitability about the situation given Gibson's level of debt and the news that they are selling the historic Memphis factory and moving to smaller premises.
 
Looking at Facebook this morning I noted the usual stream of adverts for the new Gibson Custom guitars, regarded by many as overpriced, sub-standard versions of the original legendary instruments. What I saw was a final, desperate attempt to ward off the inevitable.
 
I assume we'll receive clarity regarding issues such as subscriptions and future activations. I also hope that potential customers, who may not frequent this forum, will be given clear and concise notice of the situation before they part with their hard earned money.
 
I'm pleased that several members have touted a plan to keep the forum alive as there's no doubt it's a very valuable resource. I would encourage anyone with a vested interest in the software to help where they can.
 
Overall, it's a sad day for everyone involved.

I can't say I'm happy with Gibson in the least about this decision.
I was not too happy about the change in sales model to a subscription service (Stupid me bought the lifetime), but I was willing to accept it because CW actually started throwing out lots of updates and extras. I actually felt like my money was being used in a way I agreed with.
 
Some people here have been with CW MUCH longer than myself (Started with 8.0), but after this announcement I have decided after my band finishes our current album I will be buying a Mac and Logic.
 
I love Sonar and I'm pretty mad that Gibson is doing this, but after the Roland sale and now this; I can't continue to support a product with an unknown future. Even if the company is scooped up, I just don't see it as being a secure DAW to use when compared to Logic (Even protools).
 
I really hope the people who wait this out will get to keep using Sonar, it's just not something I'm willing to wait around for.

chriswickens
I love Sonar and I'm pretty mad that Gibson is doing this, but after the Roland sale and now this; I can't continue to support a product with an unknown future. Even if the company is scooped up, I just don't see it as being a secure DAW to use when compared to Logic (Even protools).

I totally get what your saying, but for now I'm going to disable Windows updates and isolate my workstation from the internet. I've already downloaded and archived my purchased products and the relative serial numbers, but I guess that there's a chance that activation will become impossible in the future. When Sonar slips into demo mode and there's no longer any support, I'll be forced switch to an alternative DAW.
 
My next task is to freeze existing projects to ensure cross platform compatibility. That's going to take a while.

If you are just going to keep your PC in a frozen state as it were, create a disc image so you can get back if needed and without the need for authorizations (in most cases with most things) then when you update any products or purchase new ones, rinse and repeat. It would provide a little more security.

chriswickens
 
Even if the company is scooped up, I just don't see it as being a secure DAW to use

 
Yep. The ones that made it what it is will have found greener pastures. Anyone else would just be after a buck$.