Yeah, read it and weep, Zune luvers. It sucks so hard that it blows.
1. HALF a GIG??? download to install the crapware that Micro$oft expects you to use for the thing. Are all the Zune freaks out there so devoid of testicular/ovarian fortitude (ie: Lack the BALLS!) to come up with an alternative yet? FFS, the iPod has had more than one 3rd party application for years.
2. DRM. ‘Nuff Said.
3. Windows/MacOS only client. I mean, c’mon. Linux is out there, Stevie and Billy need to recognize that while they may not LIKE Linux, perhaps a client for it would be nice. If for no other reason than to see how many of us ARE using Linux. Might make them wet their pants to see the real numbers.
The rant started because I’m re-loading my oldest daughter’s computer. It’s a Toshiba laptop (No, I didn’t buy it, their mom did. I have more sense than to buy a ToSHITba, TYVM.) that thru an odd set of circumstances, my oldest wound up with.
I’ve preloaded it with Open Office, VLC, Firefox, Spybot S&D, Javacool’s Spyware Blaster, AVG, drivers, all on Windows XP SP3. ALSO it has a custom GRUB gfxboot screen, as well as a rescue/salvage/backup partition. Oh, and let’s not forget, it has a PartEdMagic image to boot and troubleshoot from as well.
Aside from the XP ALL the SOFTWARE together, to download is LESS than this “simple” client for the Zune. Bloatware, anyone?
In the time it’s taken to download the bloated, stinking corpse of crapware from Mickysoft, I’ve written this rant. My DSL may not be the speediest thing in town, but I’m sorry, 485+MB is too large for a sync client.
Geez, Windows XP Black Edition is smaller, I think. 
/rant
And let me add that the DRM reason is more compelling now. Alyssa’s desktop box blew itself to kingdom come; I have it’s hard drive here.
All that DRM’d music is locked away by a license file sitting on the drive, but I have YET to find a way to unlock it.
If you know of a way to pull that license into a working system, or a fast way to strip DRM from WMA’s when the original purchaser’s system is dead, let me know.
And more on the continuing saga of the suckitude of the Zune.
I never did manage to de-DRM Aly’s songs. To top it off, the hard drive from her desktop box has seems to have died a horrible death. Good thing I haz Backupz.
I also have her old mainboard (with CPU and RAM) which may or may not be toasted. I have yet to try to fire it up, but I’m hoping it’ll work. This, and restoring her backup may let me extract the music in some M$ approved way.
One may hope.
I know I’m no fan of Microsoft, but all I can say to the hordes of shee-e-e-e-e-e-p out there that claim to like the Zune is “Why?” Apple’s iPod is far superior (though I don’t care for Apple, either) has multiple 3rd party clients (We use Sharepod, it runs from the iPod, no installation needed) and from what I’ve seen, has little DRM or is easier to get around what DRM it has.
For that matter, there’s a ton of MP3 players out there, why not use one of them instead?
Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
I don’t know that this Zune article is all that much “Quality” but thanks.
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod’s. It works well, but isn’t as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that’s not an issue, but if you’re planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod’s larger screen and better browser may be important.
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
God, I love spammers that take time to write something. Fortunately, I can nuke the spam links. And the Zune still sucks, and from what I hear, the iPad is on it’s way to epic suckitude as well.
ZUNE SUCKS!!!!!!
no zune in canada? what the FUCK is their problem?
They suck at competing against Ipod.
Probably some legal BS since in Canada you can legally burn CD’s and share files, etc. I dunno.
After all, all Zune’s suckitude floweth freely from Micro$oft.