[ddots-l] Re: sonar x1
- From: Bryan Smart <bryansmart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2010 12:21:54 -0500
On a positive note, though, a new user interface also means that, finally, some
legacy problems that have been around for over ten years (many more in some
cases), can be addressed. The Sonar user interface is largely the same one that
we've had through 9 major cycles of Sonar, and another 9 major cycles of
Cakewalk Pro Audio. In many cases, when we've had accessibility problems with
Sonar, Cakewalk has explained to us how, due to design decisions that were made
years and years ago, the technical underpinnings of the user interface won't
let them easily accommodate our requests. Having worked on some large software
projects before that grew out of extremely old code, I know those sorts of
statements from them to be completely reasonable.
It isn't just a problem for us, either. For them, they've wanted to modernize
the interface for a long time, but, without ripping everything out and starting
over from scratch, it just wasn't possible. This is why there was a Sonar 8.5,
instead of a Sonar 9 last year. The last few Sonar versions have focused on
adding other tools to Sonar, rather than big changes in Sonar itself. This
meant that core Sonar development would have the time to work on the massive
project of completely rewriting Sonar's user interface.
In the mid 90's, when the original interface was designed, we were completely
off of Cakewalk's radar. Even the Microsoft Active Accessibility API was just
an idea that hardly any screen readers supported. Today, blind musicians are a
definite portion of their market. Several blind people from Dancing Dots and
JSonar participate in their beta program. Several of us also have personal
friendships with people in development and management positions at Cakewalk. We
are definitely on their minds.
Some changes have already been made that will ease accessibility in the future,
and others have been promised. In the long run, accessibility to X1 could be
far superior to previous Sonar versions.
Meanwhile, Sonar 8.5 with CakeTalking 8.5 is an extremely mature product. Both
32 and 64 bit versions are as stable as Sonar has ever been. CakeTalking has
better support for Sonar features, and operates faster, than any previous
release. Both Sonar and CakeTalking run just fine on the newest computer
hardware and version of Windows. It's a really stable and feature-filled
combination to use until X1 is ready to take its place.
Bryan
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Dancing Dots
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 5:26 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: sonar x1
Hi,
David Pinto, the developer of CakeTalking, plans to begin work on scripting for
SONAR X1 early in the new year after he completes some other important work.
Check out http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X1-Overview.aspx for a video
describing the features of X1. As you will see, almost the entire video is
dedicated to describing their simplified user interface.They do mention a few
new samples and mixing effects that sound nice. But overall, this release
repackages all the features of earlier versions of SONAR into a new,
nice-looking, easy-to-use interface. Unfortunately, things like new,
nice-looking, easy-to-use interfaces mean lots and lots of work for people who
write scripts to make JAWS deliver sensible, timely, useful information to a
user who cannot see the new, nice-looking, easy-to-use interface.
If there is good news, it is that those of us who do not upgrade to X1 right
away will not be missing out on too many new effects, soft synthes, etc. The
value of this upgrade to sighted people is that, at least according to
Cakewalk's video, it makes using SONAR much easier.
David has committed to work on a version of CakeTalking for X1. It is almost a
rewrite of CakeTalking. It will take a long time; many months. David cannot
even estimate the time required right now.
Meanwhile, our friends at Cakewalk will permit us to ship a copy of SONAR 8.5
with every copy of X1 we sell, whether it is a new unit or an upgrade. That
way, blind customers get the latest version for which they have paid but also
get the version that has real accessibility. When CakeTalking for SONAR X1 is
ready, they can upgrade to that version.
So, to answer your question, I do not think you should buy SONAR X1 unless you
have a full-time, sighted helper who wants to run it for you.
Regards,
Bill
Bill McCann
Founder and President of Dancing Dots since 1992
www.DancingDots.com<http://www.DancingDots.com>
Tel: [001] 610-783-6692
________________________________
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of blue wings
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 8:17 AM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] sonar x1
Sonar x1
should we buy it? What about the future of ct?
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