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I don't understand this move. Virtually every ASP.NET programmer I know has a Zune and absolutely loves it. Almost universally, they consider the Zune to be o

I don't understand this move. Virtually every ASP.NET programmer I know has a Zune and absolutely loves it. Almost universally, they consider the Zune to be one of the best gadgets they own. Microsoft is making a big mistake here.

shaggyfrog 16y ago
Too bad the general population is not a majority of ASP.NET programmers. Not sure what you don't understand about the move, though. Simply put, the thing just isn't selling. Maybe it's the terrible marketing, maybe it's the choice of verbs to describe the functionality ("squirting"... really?), maybe it's fact that PlaysForSure couldn't play on it, maybe it's because the software delivered a sub-par performance (at least in the minds of consumers) versus iTunes. Or maybe it's all of that, combined.
- frou_dh 16y ago
  Fairly sure the GP was being sarcastic. If only ASP.NET developers were making up the numbers then it would clearly be time to call it a day.
- kenjackson 16y ago
  I think the Zune SW was generally considered much better than iTunes. IMO it entered the market too late. It was probably, just looking at the device and HW, its better than the iPod line up until the iPod Touch. But ecosystem and marketing effects were too strong. Particularly the ecosystem. The fact that every home/auto audio device works with an iPod makes it very attractive, and something Zune doesn't have. In a world w/o the ecosystem,starting fresh from day 1, I think the Zune maybe beats the iPod. But the iPod with its headstart in ecosystem just crushes it. And deservedly so -- the Zune never exists if the iPod didn't exist. The Zune was created in response to the iPod. A very good response, but Apple has executed well from day 1 to present. I'm happy if they get rewarded for the execution, even I don't particularly like the device (the pre iPod touch versions).
  - martharotter 16y ago
    Agreed, I bought two Zunes, a 120gb one and the Zune HD. The devices were fantastic but more than that I love the Zune software. iTunes drives me crazy, but the Zune software looks like nothing else Microsoft ever created. It's cool, intuitive and works great. If they had gotten in to that ecosystem a bit sooner it could have been different, but the timing was all wrong.
- ttrashh 16y ago
  I get the general feeling that most people dislike iTunes. Many of the same people like the Zune software. In this case I think people just didn't try it. They already owned iPods when they were superior devices and never switched even when Zune passed them in quality.
- SandB0x 16y ago
  The "squirting" absolutely killed me. A word you don't want to put through corporate content filters and a word that systems like Google's autocomplete won't complete. The conversation must have gone something like like: Clueless Boss: I think we should call the lending feature: Squirting! Embarrassed Subordinate: Uh...are you sure that's a good word? Boss: It's great, really pushes the fun, playful image we're after. I love it! Subordinate: It's just that it... Boss: Yes? Subordinate: It means...It, uh, I mean...yeesh, I'm going to go grab some lunch. <runs> Boss: Cool, squirt you later!
  - sixtofour 16y ago
    "Squirt! Say it! Say it!"
robin_reala 16y ago
I don’t know a single person with a Zune. Did they ever release them outside the US? Edit: looks like they did, but in software form only
JoachimSchipper 16y ago
Aren't MS developers infamous for thinking that if it doesn't come out of Redmond, it doesn't exist? (Yes, I know that not everyone is this way, but stereotypes usually exist for a reason...)
icefox 16y ago
Every company I have ever worked for uses XP, Microsoft is making a big mistake working on this "vista thing"
angrycoder 16y ago
All of the .net developers that I know who have one only got it via a prize or gift at a tech conference.
recoiledsnake 16y ago
Is this a joke? I know a whole bunch(around 50) of ASP.NET developers and none of them own a Zune.

shaggyfrog 16y ago

Too bad the general population is not a majority of ASP.NET programmers. Not sure what you don't understand about the move, though. Simply put, the thing just isn't selling. Maybe it's the terrible marketing, maybe it's the choice of verbs to describe the functionality ("squirting"... really?), maybe it's fact that PlaysForSure couldn't play on it, maybe it's because the software delivered a sub-par performance (at least in the minds of consumers) versus iTunes. Or maybe it's all of that, combined.

frou_dh 16y ago
Fairly sure the GP was being sarcastic. If only ASP.NET developers were making up the numbers then it would clearly be time to call it a day.
kenjackson 16y ago
I think the Zune SW was generally considered much better than iTunes. IMO it entered the market too late. It was probably, just looking at the device and HW, its better than the iPod line up until the iPod Touch. But ecosystem and marketing effects were too strong. Particularly the ecosystem. The fact that every home/auto audio device works with an iPod makes it very attractive, and something Zune doesn't have. In a world w/o the ecosystem,starting fresh from day 1, I think the Zune maybe beats the iPod. But the iPod with its headstart in ecosystem just crushes it. And deservedly so -- the Zune never exists if the iPod didn't exist. The Zune was created in response to the iPod. A very good response, but Apple has executed well from day 1 to present. I'm happy if they get rewarded for the execution, even I don't particularly like the device (the pre iPod touch versions).
- martharotter 16y ago
  Agreed, I bought two Zunes, a 120gb one and the Zune HD. The devices were fantastic but more than that I love the Zune software. iTunes drives me crazy, but the Zune software looks like nothing else Microsoft ever created. It's cool, intuitive and works great. If they had gotten in to that ecosystem a bit sooner it could have been different, but the timing was all wrong.
ttrashh 16y ago
I get the general feeling that most people dislike iTunes. Many of the same people like the Zune software. In this case I think people just didn't try it. They already owned iPods when they were superior devices and never switched even when Zune passed them in quality.
SandB0x 16y ago
The "squirting" absolutely killed me. A word you don't want to put through corporate content filters and a word that systems like Google's autocomplete won't complete. The conversation must have gone something like like: Clueless Boss: I think we should call the lending feature: Squirting! Embarrassed Subordinate: Uh...are you sure that's a good word? Boss: It's great, really pushes the fun, playful image we're after. I love it! Subordinate: It's just that it... Boss: Yes? Subordinate: It means...It, uh, I mean...yeesh, I'm going to go grab some lunch. <runs> Boss: Cool, squirt you later!
- sixtofour 16y ago
  "Squirt! Say it! Say it!"

robin_reala 16y ago

I don’t know a single person with a Zune. Did they ever release them outside the US? Edit: looks like they did, but in software form only

JoachimSchipper 16y ago

Aren't MS developers infamous for thinking that if it doesn't come out of Redmond, it doesn't exist? (Yes, I know that not everyone is this way, but stereotypes usually exist for a reason...)

icefox 16y ago

Every company I have ever worked for uses XP, Microsoft is making a big mistake working on this "vista thing"

angrycoder 16y ago

All of the .net developers that I know who have one only got it via a prize or gift at a tech conference.

recoiledsnake 16y ago

Is this a joke? I know a whole bunch(around 50) of ASP.NET developers and none of them own a Zune.