“For the last several weeks I’ve been trying to use Real Networks’ Rhapsody subscription music service with one of SanDisk’s Sansa players. I knew there were problems, but I’ve been truly shocked at how crappy it is,” Leander Kahney reports for Wired News.
Kahney reports, “This isn’t news to anyone who’s tried to use one of the many devices based on Microsoft’s Playsforsure system, which even Microsoft has abandoned with the Zune. But for someone like me, a Mac user who rarely touches a Windows PC, the nightmare has been a revelation. I knew things on Windows could be bad, but Jeez … how do people put up with this stuff?”
MacDailyNews Take: Every time we touch a Windows PC, we ask the exactly same question. Ignorance truly is bliss.
Kahney continues, “To cut a long story short, every step has been a pain, from downloading new firmware for the player to updating the Windows’ underlying DRM software. And that was just to get it working. Once up and running, the first batch of tunes I downloaded generated nearly 10,000 errors. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I wish I’d taken a screenshot. Since then, the software has been dog slow and unpredictable. It’s constantly downloading tunes that I’m unable to sync to the device.”
Full article here.
Well, there’s a lovely review that would make any Real or SanDisk PR flack want to take the rest of the decade off. If you’re stupid enough to choose something like Real Networks’ Rhapsody subscription music service with a Sandisk Sansa player, you deserve the misery that befalls you. And much pity; really, how does one arrive at such a “decision” exactly? As we ask anyone who approaches us for help with their malware-clogged Dell’s running Windows (yes, it has actually happened), “Why didn’t you just buy a hammer and start whacking yourself in the face instead?”
Hammer Time !
This can’t be happening! Is there NO joy whatsoever in Mudville?
Oh yeah, like it’s sooooo much better on a Mac with iTunes and iPod. Whatever.
You want to see it done right? Easy. Zune + Zune Marketplace.
Case closed.
“The Rhapsody online store has lots of selection. It is easy to navigate, and the editorial is good. Most artists have informative writeups.” But you’ll find even better stuff by exercising your google.
I really don’t understand how there is no company that can even come close to the ease of use of the iPod / iTunes combination. It makes me think that Apple must have really pulled off an impossible feat if in all these years EVERY competing product fails miserably. I understand it is mostly due to Apple controlling the whole widget, but that is not the whole equation – just look at Zune. Other companies either don’t get it or just don’t care. It is almost comical.
How is it that the iPod doesn’t have 99% of the market?
Yeah,
yesterday my dad asked me if I could help him with powerpoint. Apparently he has to watch slideshows for his job, and the office package that came with the computer wont accept his product ID. Now, mind you, he has had this computer for two years, and he uses word (shudder) all the time, but powerpoint won’t work for more than three seconds before asking for a product ID. The same product ID that is allowing Word to work all the time. Microsoft deserves what is coming to them (eventually).
So I had to download powerpoint veiwer for him, and he has this certain workaround because things are so much harder to do on windows than a mac. I feel like not helping him until he gets a mac, but I feel bad for him. I think I am enabling his poor decision to keep that computer in the house, but I am trying to save him from being on the phone for three hours with microsoft phone help.
Should I cut him off?
I like that term “shockingly crappy”.
I think I will try to use it at least 5 times today.
Thanks
And have a shockingly crappy day.
people are stupid….that’s why
Zune Tang, your monotonous monologues have achieved legendary status in tedium and boredom. Congratulations. If you had half the wittiness that you presume to have you wouldn’t resort to regurgitating the same wearisome theme.
J ~
Do you have a Powerbook or Macbook you could loan him with Keynote? Maybe transfer his Powerpoint presentation to it and show it off.
Just a thought… Dad’s can be hardheaded sometimes…go easy on him…
J,
I run into that all of the time. I can usually
help, but I’m gritting my teeth the whole time.
He needs your help, but you have to draw the line
somewhere.
My son was forced to get a Windows PC (Lenovo brand) for his school this year. While I’ve worked a great deal with Windows in the corporate environment, I have never had anything up Macs at home, so it has indeed been a revelation having to be the tech support guy for this machine. I spend hours a week cleaning the multiple viri off his machine, and nothing works right: hard drives don’t mount, his iPod won’t synch completely with it, file transfers are unbelievably slow, etc.
Each time we hit another Windows wall, my son and I just look at each other and shake our heads. I think I’d quit using computers if my experience was like this on a daily basis–thank God for Macs!
Where was the RU486 pill when I needed it?
“craptacular!”
Time for Zune to Crapitulate!
In this case, ignorance is not bliss—it’s a one-way ticket to Windows Hell.
J,
just lend him a mac for afew days. Then he’ll want to get one too.
My little brother was a die-hard PC enthusiast, always upgrading his PC (like me before too) and claimed Macs were crap.
After his 5th windows crash in one week, he he kept begging me to help him restore it. At first I did, but after afew more times, the thing was just dying, and I said, right: we’re going to buy a mac.
I told him I would sponsor half the cost of a intel mac mini, the other half being his own budget for buying a brand new PC.
After afew days, he started realising how simple to use it is, and NO MORE CRASHES! He did manage to get the PC revived for afew more months just to play games, but even that finally gave the ghost and now he uses the xbox 360 for games instead.
Key thing is, they need afew days of tactile knowledge of OSX before they see the inherent silkiness. Let him try.
“Newman, you wouldn’t eat broccoli if it was deep-fried in chocolate sauce!”
Thanks for the pic, MDN
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J,
Cut ’em off!
“Mac support is open at my house 24-7. If you get a windoze box – don’t call me.”
Try it, it works!
Dijon
Actually, Toshiba Gigabeat + WMP 11 + 90GB library (and growing) of ripped MP3s @ 192 VBR is a much better solution than anything you guys have to offer.
And everytime my buddies and I encounter a new CD we rip it and pass the files around
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Why pay for an overpriced iPod when there are tons of better & cheaper MP3 players out there? And the iTunes store? Puhleeze. DRM’s a rip-off and you guys are idiots for buying into it.
Hey Zune Tang – that wasn’t me. Your comments are brilliant in their construct. Too bad more Macheads don’t get your oblique sense of humor. By the way, I hate imposters!
“the real Huh?”
That’s pathetic, “Zune Tang”. At least you’re demonstrating a little originality! Unfortunately, Zune Tang, you still suck, your attempt at humor sucks, and there is nothing you can do to change my opinion.
On second thought, maybe “the real Huh?” isn’t Zune Tang. However, one needs to ask, “Why does Zune Tang have to send one of his bitches out to fight for him?” Well, Zune Tang, it appears that you’ve have less balls than you do humor. It’s a shame that you have to hide behind a skirt and can’t go mano-a-mano.
Zune Tang
You can’t be serious. The Zunes only been around for a week and it’s the best experience ever. Yeah right. How come I can’t buy a Zune in Australia then?