Wow. Lots of anger over the use of something that's optional. Life is too short and there are too many great DAW products out there to get stressed about something so simple.
Don't like dongles? Stop doing new projects in Cubase and eventually you'll be off the dongle. Don't like the dongle number entry policy? Don't use Cubase.net... lots of music forums on the net. Cubendo.com is a good one for answers. Seems simple enough to me. I know people have lots of projects in Cubase and they can't quit "cold turkey" but start weening yourself off of it and put it in the rearview mirror.
Reaper?
Sonar?
Samp?
PT?
Find one that you feel has a better support system and use it. Lots of good choices out there.
I get irritated at Steiny occasionally also but it's not that important to rant constantly about it. I vent occasionally and move on... to some it seems like a mission. I actually think the complaints are sometimes legit but... it's not that important to me personally as the thing does what I need it to do. If it ever becomes that important - if it doesn't do what I need it to do - I'll switch to another product.