http://common-sense-cowboyslim.blogspot.com/2012/11/if-it-works-dont-fix-it.html

It's not just Microsoft. This problem is becoming more and more the norm. I was taught backward compatibility when I studied programming in college. Apparently, someone figured out that philosophy was not compatible with the business model they all seem to have adopted. "Make things obsolete, we can make more money from repeat sales..." seems to be the way they're thinking now. My suggestion, and it IS what I've done, get a good used, second-generation computer (I chose a Pentium 4--it cost me $100), build it up as a stand-alone. If you know the software, and you know the hardware, you are not beholden to the geek squad. We've done it for years with other products. I don't go buy a new hammer every time the hammer company makes a "new, improved" hammer. My old one still pounds nails just fine. And how many of you out there ABSOLUTELY NEED 128 tracks? I have found, even with an entire drum kit mic-ed individually, twenty-four tracks is way more than enough. I can DO 128, but how often am I going to get that gung ho?
The advantages to a stand-alone system are numerous. No viruses. No bugs. No spyware. A dedicated hard drive, with just MUSIC on it. You can always hook up an external modem, if you are convinced that you need Internet or even telephonic communication. And, you can UNplug it when you're through. I've found it easier to not use my recording machine on the Internet, simply copy my finished files to a thumb drive and use my Internet computer for that. JMHO

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