When it comes to the hardware, we're pretty much set; we all now know the
Zune inside and out. But how it interacts with the software, the marketplace, etc. -- that's where the magic happens. Or doesn't. We really wanted to give the Zune the benefit of the doubt. We hoped installing the Zune software and getting our player running would be as seamless and painless as getting iTunes and an iPod running on your machine, since that is, after all, what it's up against. (Granted, not even iTunes is bereft of
major problems on
major releases.) Unfortunately, the reality of our experience with the first version of the Zune software this afternoon is much like that of many version 1 software experiences. It sucks. Read on to see what happened.
So, before we get started, a few caveats. Our machine is a Windows Media Center XP 2005 box -- light use, basically our media server and occasional Engadget test bed. We weren't anticipating any problems. Our software is version 1.0.5341.0 -- the release version of the Zune software that came bundled with the player. Let's go through the install, shall we?
Ok, go!
Thanks, we're glad to be here too, we guess. Hit next.
Yep, we accept.
Waiting... it's doing something, but it doesn't tell us what. It's a minute or two.
Oh, ok, it's starting to install the Zune software. No install location options, just already going. Nevermind the fact that we put our applications on a different drive than our Windows install.
Yeah boyeee.
Ok, all done. Let's have big fun like these peeps!
First up, we have to make a connection. So let's plug in our Zune.
Really? A home on another computer? We've never touched this Zune in our life. No matter, it's a review unit, maybe they tested it before shipping it to us. (Come to find out, it supposedly gives that prompt always so long as the Zune is in guest mode. Got it.)
Let's make it a full-fledged Zune, shall we? Give it the
real review, none of that guest BS. Oh, wait, see how that Next button is orange? That's because this is where the software crashes for the first time. So we have to start over from make a connection -- but if your Zune is still plugged in, the software won't see it. So kill the process, unplug the Zune, restart the software, plug the Zune back in. Ok. We did this a couple more times before we learned our lesson.
We'll take guest mode then, thanks.
Ok, good, we made it past. Let's do express. It is, after all, recommended.
Hmm, let's stream some media to our Xbox 360. Music and video for now.
Great, looks like we're all set. Let's get to it.
Oh, wait, no, now we have to make a Zune Tag. We don't really want to, so let's cancel and go straight to the store.
Yes, we're sure we want to cancel!
Ah, the app, finally! We've been waiting to fool around with this. Upper right, that's our Zune. It's got some content, as you can see.
Ok, first thing we want to do? Obviously: options! Crap, as soon as we click the options button, it crashes. (Note top bar, not responding.)
Ok, we have to restart. So let's create that Zune Tag after all. Bummer, apparently there's already another Ryan using a Zune. Since there's some Xbox Live integration, however, it looks like you can use your Zune Tag as your Xbox Live tag, and vice versa.
While we were figuring out which tag to use, we were suggested some pretty awesome(ly awful) names:
- TwinightRyan (sp)
- UprightRyan
- GrizzlyRyan
- PraisedCloud
- ScapularWorm and
- HangingCheetah
- PricyRacketeer
- GutlessStudent
- WontedSum
- PeeweeDust
Do we LOOK like a scapular worm to you? Don't answer that.
Ok, we picked one that doesn't exist. But now we need a Windows Live ID too. Thankfully we had
that in the form of a Hotmail account. Seriously though, how long is this going to go on?
Ok, enter your Live ID, got it.
What? Now there's account information we have to put in?
What? Now we're required to hand over our phone number? Umm, ok we're just gonna put a dummy number in there.
Sweet, finally, now I get more options of things to do. Zune Marketplace, buy MS points, or get a sub. The sub won't yet work since the store isn't fully active until the 14th, so let's go with the points.
Ahh, Microsoft points. Xbox 360 users know ye well. So much for buying songs in straight American currency without buying blocks of points, but hey, we'll live.
Ok, we've seen enough, let's back out of here and go hit the player app. Sorry, can't, application crashes here.
Ok, so software is restarted, let's sign on.
Nice, that's what we've been waiting to see ever since the options dialogue crashed our computer. We tried the options menu again -- and it crashed it again. So we're not touching that anymore. Let's keep moving.
These are the loaded tracks on the player. We are a little bummed there's no loaded cover art, especially since it's there in the Zune. And yes, they did tag that C.S.S. song improperly as CSS, creating another artist listing. Man oh man, devil's in the details, ain't it?
Ok, back to the store. We can't actually buy anything, but it looks nice. All the standard stuff.
Now we're over in our videos library -- no videos indexed yet, though. So let's add some.
Specify your indexed folders.
Well, it didn't index our DivX Daily Show eps (big surprise). Let's try a folder with WMV video.
Hey, there's Dave Zatz again! That's not a live preview, but it works.
We're playing video -- you can't see because of the screen cap, but it's playing, and it looks good!
And now in the upper right we can see the audio CD burning dialogue.
But now when we switched over to the Zune it's missing, just not there. We unplug it, plug it back in, and...
This screen pops up. But the Zune is still not showing. However, if we shut down the app, plug it back in, then it'll pop up just fine and show the device in the player. Whatever.
See, there it is.
We try to go back and reinstall the software -- maybe it was just a funky install or something. Nope, can't reinstall, it's up to date.
Fine, we're going to uninstall it.
We have no idea what this one is, but it popped up after that initial uninstall dialogue.
Icing on the cake: restart after uninstall. No, sorry, the icing on the cake is the crash our computer took after we hit this, causing our RAID 5 array to crap out and spend a few hours rebuilding.
But just to be EXTRA sure, we tried the software on a second PC we had laying around. Besides 20 minutes to install (huh?) it worked just fine. Expect more from
that PC in the near future!
In the mean time, we let Microsoft know what was up and they were pretty quick to help figure out what was behind this whole nightmare install. We don't yet know, but hopefully it's something small and limited to our Media Center PC -- because if it isn't, tomorrow's big launch is going to be a
comedy of errors straight up tragedy.
Update: I, Ryan, reinstalled on the PC that was giving me so many problems -- after the RAID array rebuilt, that is -- and it went just fine. I'm using it right now in fact. But then Peter's install (Vaio laptop) went south just like my first install did. Same crash errors and everything. So we're two for two!
posted Nov 13th 2006 8:47PM
Does anyone have promblem with this d thing syncing the same d thing and adding 3 of the same thing on your zune
It looks like they revamped their installer. I just installed for an 8Gb, and aside from an anxiety inducingly long "Looking for updates" screen at the beginning, I could not be happier…
I got the zune as a gift (thank god) and the first run through of the product didn't seem that bad, but after a long time and a new laptop reimage, I reinstalled the software sometime later. There was apparently an update on the software that changed both the interface on my device and the application on my laptop, but I just went with it...till everything really just blew up in my face. I think this new 'update' was a greedy, flashy release trying to keep buyers interested. As a software developer, I'm seeing bugs everywhere that could have easily been fixed with a bit more debugging and a little more common sense. (Ex: Three different songs on my computer shouldn't point to the same song in my zune application!!!) But yeah, overall, I personally wouldn't have invested money in this device. As a gift...its pretty looking.
That's really weird. I didn't have any trouble at all with mine. I was putting my songs onto my zune within 20 minutes.
Great software if you don't like "labeled tracks". Just love cranking out track 1 by unknown artist on his album "Unknown". Guess I better leave my taste in music to the new releases section -_-
Thank god i was only setting up one for a friend (that he won at an arcade no less), I was actually considering buying this crap but after fighting with the software I decided against it. Could somebody explain why a microsoft branded player doesn't work with windows media player? "Welcome to the Social" indeed.
How can I add another zune device to other computer with my pass subscription knowing that it's autorized three computers and devices could you tell me how to prcess step by step thank you
How to add my wife to my Zune MarketplaceAccount? We have 2 zunes in our house now, and I already subscribe every 3 months.
i bought a zune. stupid me.
The software freaking sucks - it shouldnt stall and lag on a decent laptop when the software version is 2.5...
BTW - i had installation problems, and found http://remove-it.org/ if you ever need a decent uninstallation mine just kept screwing up but this did the trick.
I say bring on the rockbox and can the stupid software!!
Huh, I've never had any problems with the 2nd gen Zune's at all. Maybe you guys are just doing something wrong. I've got 5 movies, 1922 songs, couple hundred pics, and around 10 games on it. Took no time whatsoever.
Since it's almost Christmas, my mum and I went to Best Buy to see the new gadgets that I might be interested in getting. I see the Zune and fall in love with the exterior and interior of it all. Not to mention it comes in all my favourite colours and that it has a radio. But anyway, my mum told me to research it because I know that Zune hasn't really been that popular...well at least from the looks of all the commercials(they are all usually only iPod related). It's bittersweet finding this, but I'm kind of glad that I did. Seems like since Zune hasn't perfected all their glitches yet. But I really really love the Zune. I'm not real worried about all the crashing, because my computer's been through a lot and I am pretty sure it won't crash. I just want to be sure that I'll still be able to put all my mp3 songs right onto it from my old Nano. It'd be great if I could get a reply soon. You can email me at dearlyunbelovedalexxioa@hotmail.com .
Thanks, Alyqkz.
when i was to buy a music player i thought i had a choice between ipod and zune but then i went with ipod cos they had been in the business for quite sometimes as far as player is concerned though zune player as such beats ipod classic 80gb in terms of function. but anyway today i thought to install zune software just to see how it compares to the itunes. AND i must say i am trying for past 3hrs to install it. tried all (opening the install package, disconnecting internet, putting the installer behind firewall, disabling antivirus, disabling firewall, disabling UAC, resatrting the PC,........) but it would just not install. anyway apart from double clicking the installer and following instruction is the only thing needs to be done or some extra magic spell is needed. i want to buy zune flash one kinda need for little rough use but if i cant install the software then what the hell i am gonna do with the hardware.....i am wondering how can they make a software that will not work or not work properly in their own environment (vista). and i must add i am using itunes from 6.5 till 8.02 not a SINGLE install failed till date and crashed just once. i have ipod classic 80gb and iphone 3g 16gb not a single problem worth mentioning. thanks
This is not about installing applications on your zune.
http://www.zuneclan.com
I can't even get past the first setup screen! It says can't connect to the update server try later!
I'm taking this chunk of shit back to the store.
n/a
I smell a bunch of trolls here. Apple fanboys coming to bash the Zune randomly and such, and people falsely reporting so many errors with the Zune software. I have 2 laptops and one desktop PC, in all of them my Zune gets detected fine and the Zune software doesnt crash. The original installer back in the first gen zunes took a long time to install, but now it is extremely fast. Anyone reporting so much errors and problems either has a really screwed up computer with a Windows install full of errors, or is just blindly bashing the Zune to spread negative views about it, so what SHOULD happen does not: That the ipod falls and the zune takes over the marketshare.
Bought a 120 Gig - Trouble from day one - software. Their on-line help is terrible - bottom line - there is none. The software is a beta-beta version. You can't get help on-line with most semi- technical problems and must call - not all ur questions get answered except with a " I'm sorry". Wish I could get my money back and go to an I-Pod.
... It's still better than Sonic Stage / Sony fanboy.
Bill, I know you read this sight. Good work. Really.
So how's the philanthropy going?
You would think that a Microsoft product would work actually with Windows.
Maybe the conspiracy theorists have been wrong about Microsoft intentionally putting bugs in Windows all these years. Maybe they really ARE completely incompetent.
That's hilarious.
A vote for negative is a vote against the irrational lust for Zune.
Sounds like a blast. Not only does WELCOME TO THE SOCIAL and RELEASE YOUR INNER DJ make me want to shoot myself, microsoft can't even write software now.
'goes back to listening to the ipod'
What do you mean Microsoft can't write software now? I was under the impression they never could.
I happened to get the Zune early, and I installed it ,and it was great. I'm a long time I-pod user and I thought it was seamless, no problems what so ever.
What made you buy the Zune?
I smell a Microsoft Plant.
Obviously you're not a long time iPod anything or you'd at least know that its never been I-pod. Even Ipod would have been closer.
You obviously are full of shit, otherwise you would still be using the iPod and screw Microcrap and their terd player.
Yeah, I downloaded the preview app from Microsoft's website. I created my Zune Tag (Boots Randolph, hehe), but selected back on the "enter info" screen, and when I tried to move forward again, it told me that name was already taken. Fine. Don't work, even though I just entered my tag.
I too am running MCE 2005... but I didn't have any issues with Options not working. I'm wondering if these guys took too much of a shortcut, and just based everything on WMP 11, changed the skin, took out a few of the PlaysForSure features, added a few XBox features, and called it a day. It's really a tragedy that they left this whole project til the last minute. I can imagine the field day Apple fanboys are going to have when they see this. So much for the Zune's "viral" campaign or any of its other positive features. This may just be the deal-breaker here.... I hope they update it soon.
yikes..and people through that iTunes 7.0 had big issues. At least people could install it. Thanks for all the screenshots btw. Postings on other websites have show that people can't even get past the initial instal part because it errors out, so consider youself lucky.
Wait, a Microsoft product crashed? WTF? That never happens!
The cringe factor on the slogans and pictures is very high indeed. Release my inner DJ? No thanks.
Yep. Those photos are nasty. Microsoft getting "hip with da kids". Cringe-worthy indeed. It's like watching your Dad dance at the school disco. Get me outta here!
I give you guys props just for buying MSTRKRFT!
i have to tell you, this made my day. Not that i was terribly worried about anything ever beating up the iPod, but now that it's basically definite that the zune isn't an issue for apple, i don't have to worry about apple coming to market with anything that isn't ready just to compete with microsoft.
i kind of want my widescreen ipod/iphone now thank you.
Man, I'm loving my iPod right now. I can't believe it isn't an easy install. I thought the whole thing was about ease of use. I hope it doesn't crash on everyone like the 360.
The scary thing here is that they've _already shipped all the Zune's and those CD's_. If the install is going to be this troublesome for so many people (there's plenty of other reports of the install being a nightmare already), people will be required to download an updated online install.
Definitely not a great user experience.
Everything went perfectly fine for me (XP Pro, fully up to date, p4 3ghz, 1gb ram), I have had zero crashes or errors. We'll see how it goes tomorrow when I actually get my zune.. *crosses fingers*
patches
Patches, after patches after patches...... At least apple is upgrade/ performance issues ussually, microsoft cant even get it to work in the first place
isn't that the name of bill gates' dog?
I have a strange problem. When it gets to the second menu that says: "Welcome to the Social" on the top, there is no next button. All it has is 'Close'. It's acting like my internet isn't connected when it really is. Very strange problem. Any help? Thanks
Justin
wow i was thinking about getting a zune, but obviously im going to wait a few months to let Microsoft actually get it right for once. Hmm, if they come out with a widescreen iPod soon, I just might be tempted to buy one
I'll stick with my mac and iTunes thank you!
In other news my Mac which I have for 10 months now, never crashed once to the point where I had to restart it. If you do encounter a problem on the Mac you can "force quit" that particular application, that app always quits (every time) when you do that, and the rest of the system remains completely unaffected, all other apps open and functioning still while your quitting that other application, then you open the app again and it opens perfectly (no too often at all!). Then on a rare occasion if you're encountering preblems, like sluggishness or problems with no obvious solution, you do a thing called "varify and repair permissions" this takes about a minute, and can be done with an app call "Onyx". Hey presto, everyhing is back to its normal zippy self. My Power PC iMac before was the very same as this intel one, just took a little longer to do all those things. - I'm glad I switched 2 years ago, enjoy your Zunes!
"Welcome to the social."
Aside from making me throw up a little in my mouth, this catchphrase brings to mind little old ladies playing bingo. Whoever thought of this should be forced to hang around with the dorks pictured in the install program.
Agreed!
Hahahahha, this comment made me spit out my camomile tea.
I totally agree. The slogan conjurs images of quint cotillian ball in the turn of the century South.
Wow. That's just amazing - what a mess. Let's pretend that nothing crashed and it worked as advertised; there's still what, fifteen to twenty steps just to set up the player? Registrations all over the place, picking names, connecting with your Passport account? WTF?
Microsoft, look: You're going up against a player (as in the company, not the device) with 75% of the marketplace. A player known above all for their interface and usability. A player whose software "just works", and just works on operating systems created by you.
New products have bugs, and there will always be glitches. But you can't afford to be this screwed up. Face it, you get no leniency here. To extend the music metaphor a bit, you are the 800-pound gorilla, the supergroup that everyone has already heard of, and is sitting there with open arms saying, "impress us". You can either step up and be Audioslave, or you can skate along and be The New Doors. You only get one shot at this point.
Your average consumer is not going to be a computer person - they're just somebody that wants to hear their music. This is the piece that Apple got - Keep them within three clicks of their music, don't make it much harder to use than a walkman, and don't jam features down their throats unless they want them. If the rest of the Zune is as bad as this initial review of nothing more than the installation makes it out to be, you guys are doomed.
totally agree. this post got rid of the small chance of me getting a Zune (it was tiny). Even had everything worked properly there is no way I would still want a Zune. Points, 2 user names, phone number WTF. I would never ever buy an ipod either. I'm sticking to buying CDs and an mp3 player that can act as mass storage.
Nick said: " I would never ever buy an ipod either. I'm sticking to buying CDs and an mp3 player that can act as mass storage."
Um, ipod plays mp3s and acts as mass storage,
MS is a little out of touch with what kids want I think. Seeing microsoft trying to be "hip" is like watching my dad showing up to an EMO concert. Something really uncomfortable.
Bill and team, all you had to do was copy apple. At least people could say it worked. You'd do much better with a product that worked, even if you ripped off-borrowed some ideas.
oooh. I hope they don't try to make it run on a Mac...
No self respecting Mac user would buy the crap that comes from Redmond anyhow, so I don't think that would be an issue.
I'm actually kind of embarassed for them. Trying a little too hard I think. WELCOME TO THE SOCIAL??? SPREAD THE MUSIC??? FREE YOUR INNER DJ??? Who the hell did they get to pose for that picture, Vanilla Ice? Sooo embarassing.
I feel the same way I would feel if I heard my grandma say something like "SLAMMIN!!" or "BIOTCH".
The back of this thing says, "Hello from Seattle" please... don't include me in the population that says hello.
Somehow I think Microsoft took a spam name generator and plugged that into the Zune Tag name generator.
This is not what happened during my install.
I will admit i dont have a zune yet but i did get the software online
The install was a snap and never errored once. I had one error trying to register an account about cookies but i just rebooted and it worked fine. I already bought two songs from the Zune Marketplace and they all work flawlessly. Everything works abseloutly fine for me, even connecting to my 360 to stream purchased music, i am defiintelay getting a zune because of this (i am running Windows Xp MCE 2005 also )
lol I'm glad everyone hates "WELCOME TO THE SOCIAL"
I was beginning to think I was the only one
In the mean time, my non-tech savvy friend asked me whether he should get a Zune or a shiny new iPod after his last iPod finally died. I had to spend quite a while and provide him with so many reviews to dissuade him from buying a Zune. Otherwise, he might've walked straight into crap like this - and his computer is literally years behind an MCE Edition PC.
Imagine the millions of souls out there who have seen an ad or two for the Zune and assume it will be a worthy alternative to the iPod because of its Microsoft logo.
"because of the microsoft logo"
actually my friend, microsoft is hiding their logo. i have yet to see "microsoft" in any ad dealing with the zune.
zune marketplace installed fine for me. i got the zune pass and listened to it all day at work with no problems. when i logged in with my hotmail account, it automatically recognized my xbox live account and had all my info ready to go. very nice. good bye rhapsody!
Where are you guys, who don't have a Zune yet, getting the software. I cant find it? A point in the right direction would help. I wanna try it out on my comp to see if it works.
THEY JUST HAVE NO TASTE.
Precious little is WORSE than Sonicstage, that doesn't make it good.
Damn...
Holy shit I hope Vista ain't this bad...
Well XP already is.
how do i play my zune to my comp
Mr. C, Redmond did copy iPod/iTune head to toe...
...they just copied an older generation. That's all.
If it was "Welcome to teh Social" you'd love it.
I'm a mac user. And yes, I'm sitting here smug. You can even call me a fanboy if you want.
The worst part: even if it goes smoothly there is too much setting up. And "bluespark" is right: the cringe factor of those is unsettling.
And now we see why they copy OS X so much. They just don't have a clue. I almost wish Apple would license OS X so that Windows could finally be relegated to the corporate world.
waddo
http://www.waddo.net/
Am I really going to be the first one here to actually say the words "I told you so"?
Were people really expecting anything different? This is exactly what some of us have been saying was going to happen all along. Bulky, ugly device, horrible DRM scheme, then to top it off, software that just plain doesn't work. And nevermind the painful stock photos desperately trying to coolify the device; that's just par for the course at MS.
No doubt there will be the endless series of both hardware and software patches to remedy this situation and make for a player that is almost (but not quite) as good as the iPod of the moment. Sorry, MS, but you're just going to have to do better than this - but even if you do, why switch from something that actually works perfectly well out of the box and also happens to look a lot better than the Zune too?
Who really thought this was going to be a serious challenge to the iPod? Anyone? You're all hiding now, I guess.
this is the exact thing that happens when nerds convert to cool-hip-teenism, they come up with cheesy slogans like "Welcome to the Social."
"what kind of social?" "THE social" "ah I see... sure, yea happy I'm here." "right on brotha', now let's go DJ some tunes bro." "word."
"this is the exact thing that happens when nerds convert to cool-hip-teenism, they come up with cheesy slogans like 'Welcome to the Social.'"
Aye Dawg, thats how we roll in da Social. Aaiight!?
Word!
Hey mannn, nerdy is the new cool. Cool nerds buy apple though...
Since I haven't bought any commercially recorded music in the past 30-40 years (There hasn't been anything worth listening to since the 60's) I find it hard to get very worked up about this entire class of devices...from ANY manufacturer.
Go back to your records then you tool.
Ok, so this in no way suprises me. I know some of you love the fact that this is not an iPod however I am one of those "apple fanboys." The Zune does have some unique features that make it appealing but they are not well executed and apparently the installation isnt any different. Also, how can anyone support this device with the comments said by the CEO of Universal? I have 40 gigs of completely legit music and I take offence to his statement and will make it a point to longer support them.
I downloaded the software from Microsofts website and I havent had any problems. ALthough I don't have a Zune to yet, the other parts of the program seem fine. And I'm running it on my 600some mhz laptop.
Wow, I had absolutely no problem installing the software but then again I am using a fairly fresh install of XP Pro.
why not make wmp11 do this zune stuff
So let me get this straight...
Apple can a write a more bug free program for Windows than the makers of Windows can?
Yeah, thats Microsoft for ya.
I feel sorry for the sheep who end up buying one of these. The only thing innovative is the wifi, and that 3x3 scheme will only piss users off.
http://www.tippmann.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=161406
OH MY GOD I'd HATE to be a SHEEP! I'd better buy an iPod like you and your loser friends!!!
Wow, "Welcome to the social" is a terrible slogan. It's like they tried to be really cool but ended up not knowing what the hell it meant.
Ok, so it's decided, I'm buying an iPod video.
http://zune.com
Knowing a fairbit about computers, and hard drive configurations (RAID...etc), I'm going to speculate that it was actually a problem with the drive. You did say "But just to be EXTRA sure, we tried the software on a second PC...it worked just fine." Also that your drives crapped out on restart (which is most likely when a bad drive is going to completely fail)
I can't say this looks pretty though...(maybe some information from that other PC will help...see if you can access options on it?)
I wish a good player would come out, to drive competition and lower prices, but it will be a cold day in hell before that player is the zune.
Also, Wikipedia says that "in Canada, 'zune' is often used as a euphemism for a penis or a vagina"
I have lived in Canada all my life, and never have I even heard the word zune, let alone used "as a euphemism for a penis or a vagina."
Not only that, but I am not sure where on Wikipedia you found that, but this is the link I got, no mention of Penis or Vagina.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune
Ah, you live in "Canada"? That must explain why you never heard the word "zoune", because it's actually an expression used in Quebec, which may be part of Canada, but whatever...
Most anyone in Quebec coming from a french lineage (75%+ of Quebec) knows that "zoune" or "bizoune" (pronounced beezune) is a dirty word meaning penis or vagina. Another expression used here is "ti-zoune" (pronounced tee-zune), which is used as a nickname for someone that's retarded.
I'm sure you'll reply with some french/Quebec-bashing, but I'm happy to remind you that Quebec has a clearly distinct cultural heritage than the rest of Canada.
The reference was removed from the Wikipedia, but just search for: quebec zoune zune and you'll find hundreds of news article about it, including official Microsoft statements about it.
VL-Tone, it's a *slang* term in French Canada. Even the French in France don't use it. It's also sounds a slang term in Hebrew for having sex. Is Microsoft supposed to go through every language on the planet to make sure the name doesn't offend anyone?
In any case, the original poster said it was a 'Canadian' term - and if Quebec is a 'distinct society' (or even a distinct nation) - then the slang in your culture isn't a Canadian slang term - it's Quebecois. So Mitch is correct.
You can't have it both ways.
>> Also, Wikipedia says that "in Canada, 'zune' is often
>> used as a euphemism for a penis or a vagina"
Yes, that sounds quite appropriate, actually.
Dick.
I installed the software as well. NO GLITCHES whatsoever. I was extremely impressed by the software as a stand alone player (I don't have a Zune, yet) and it worked flawlessly.
The install was very smooth, minimalistic (which is good for the ordinary user). Indexing went on peacefully in the background, imported all my iTunes playlists as well. Downloaded most of the missing artwork. But the software does run a bit slow once all indexed up. Searching is SUPERFAST, even when searching songs in Marketplace.
I'm guessing all your issues were very PC specific. And no, I'm not a MS fan boy. You could talk a little, just a little about what you actually did like as well.
no worries for MS tomorrow. No one wil be buying this POS except reviewers and MS fanboys.
I don't care mich for my iPod, it's ok but nothing wonderful, and I despise iTunes and iPodhelper.exe constantly showing up on my Processes list.
But I won't be jumping for this, not yet.
And, if I ever decide to buy music online instead of ripping CDs, I won't go with a store that requires points. Never. But I also can't see myself ever acquiring songs in this way.
Mosquito Control:
I don't know how more people haven't caught on to this simple ipod plugin for winamp, considering how horrible iTunes is (sans itunes, I love my ipod) -
http://www.mlipod.com/
Well, sir, I was referring to base people seeing the ads, and buying one because it looks cool, only to find that it has a plethora of problems. Think of 'stupid' sheep 'flocking' to the zune.
Also I neither own an ipod, nor have any friends.
Doesn't look like a potential iPod beater to me.. I mean look at that gorgeous black video ipod.. nope.. ms.. try again..
Wow! That is not looking good for zune. I guess we can conclude that zune and ipod are even. For now.
i think i'll stick with my iaudio. i plug it in, it shows up as a removable disk. i drag my music onto it and then unplug it. no installs, no guest mode, no signup, no user id, no points, no copy-protection, no marketing bullshit. and then, the other day out of the blue they sent me a link to their pages of free music. beat this, zunestore: http://www.cowonamerica.com/music/