Seth Kellogg [Cakewalk]
I can probably help shine a light on this area. We've been updating and replacing presets for years on every release. Compatibility concerns were the driving force. Having different templates between 4+ versions of SONAR and potentially updating them all in a monthly release cycle was silly.
From interviews (and analytics) we found the vast majority of users make their own presets or use the most basic ones. We decided to "K.I.S.S." the problem away. "One set of presets to rule them all."
TL:DR
1) Please backup your favorite presets :)
2) If you modify a template, rename it.
P.S. Cloud sync is a great solution. I use it myself.
Thank you, Seth, for your advice, Yep, your right smart user should always backup his data including everything ( not like me only project). But wait ... How should goes design? How hard is to rise dialog box with warning, templates will be overwritten? How hard is to backup templates for user in additional folder with name like backup-[data] or so?
Please do not be microsof'ish . Do not adjust user's workflow to let easier (how much?) installation. Please do adjust program to let user easier workflow and confidence program extremely cares about user data. Please recall what was point of creation templates. Ready-to-go. We have different interfaces, so we need adust, different preferences (I am too poor to start with count-in = 0, it is only for the best), different needs etc. Please do not overwrite also shortcuts... It is great when developers are passionate with their work but please do not forget who is target. How hard is to ask or warn user, make option etc? Please recall one of main rules in software creation (never permanently delete user data). Never force user to defend against program. Simple question if install delete templates how rollback to previous version can restore it?
Don't take me wrong, I like Sonar, and this is why I would like it it have absolutely the best user-oriented approach and best workflow in the work. We have progress every month what is great but still many, many things to improve to have the world best workflow.