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ZUNE program?

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Dyer13
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ZUNE program?

I want to be able to transfer files from school to home and vice versa, but to do that, the zune software must be running to access the zune. I want/need to have the zune software to run on the computers at school, since i cannot install the program due to lack of admin rights.

http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/software.htm

It really doesn't matter if it leaves registry info behind, because the IT dept at my school is ok with it, since I will be using it in a tech class. They just reformat each computer after every semester anyway.

The Zune software is not a driver, but it is a media player, such as Windows Media Player. The zune's HDD is locked until you run the Zune software, and therefore the Zune software needs to unlock the HDD for you to be able to transfer files.

Patrick Patience
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Whoa.

Microsoft Zune. I'm pretty sure they'd have a commercial lisense for the Zune Software, and a launcher for the program would probally be againt the lisense to. PLUS, that program seems huge, take like half an hour to install in most cases. It's be pretty hard to make a launcher for too, I think.

Espreon
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Not gonna happen

It is not going to happen, 1st of all like all Microsoft Software, the Zune Program is probably closed-source.
So all anybody non-Microsoft would only be able to make a launcher for it, and like most Microsoft software, it probably immensely uses the registry. And besides haven't you heard of an iPod? There are portable iPod managers out there, and besides iPod and all other media players (like iRiver and so on) are immensely superior to Microsoft's poorly made attempt to make an iPod killer (The Zune). Also you can actually use iPod and similar things as an external hard drive! Sorry for any offense.

Dyer13
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I have an iRiver PMP 140

I have an iRiver PMP 140 that I use mainly for files now, but I just wanted to know if it could be done, because I could then also play the music off of the Zune. Also, I have used both iPods and Zunes, and until you own both, there's no way to make a fair decision on which is better. I actually have to laugh when people say Zune's suck wihtout really giving a reason because that just means the people are usually to arrogant and ignorant to actually TRY one. I know probably 25 people who know I have a zune, and they all agree that the interface is better and the design is better with the bigger screen. ALL of them said they'd take a 30 gig Zune over a 30 gig Video iPod anyday. Sorry for any offense.

Theoretically, would a launcher work, although against privacy policies?

Simplisticification is as simple as it gets!
**Regular WinAce runs off Flash drives!

Espreon
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Yeah... but

But the Zune can only play things from the Zune store
and it is made by the Evil Empire (Microsoft)
also iPods are better because they can run the kick-ass firmware (in a dual-boot with Apple's firmware) Rockbox
And besides forget pursuing a portable Zune manager, since I am sure The Evil Empire will make the Zune accessible ONLY to the official Zune software thingy. And besides I only know 1 person in my life that owns a Zune, so the sharing feature is pretty much no good for anyone.

And for your second Q, probably a launcher is probably not possible since it probably uses the registry alot.

Dyer13
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WRONG

First off, I don't know who told you that the Zune can only play files from the Zune Marketplace, but whoever did was COMPLETELY WRONG. The zune can play any non-DRM files. That includes things downloaded from ANYWHERE other than the zune marketplace, as long as its not DRM, but there are ways around the DRM also. Second, the zune's firmware rocks to begin with. And I am sure that there wasn't an iPod firmware out several months after it came out, it takes time. Also, if you try to argue the whole linux firmware, the Zune's hardware is linux compatible, but someone needs to code it, which people are working on. As for you only knowing one person with a zune, just give it time. When iPods first came out, not everyone had one. Also, the sharing feature isn't really for strangers to send each other stuff, but I send alot to my friends with Zune's. Since you can also send files other than songs, if you know what you are doing, and for that matter you can get rid of the 3dayplay if you know how, which I do.

And as for my second question, if you had actually read what I had said earlier, the admin allow access the the registry, so that does not matter. I don't want a portable software, just I want to be able to use the software without installing it. It doesn't matter if it leaves registry info behind.

Simplisticification is as simple as it gets!
**Regular WinAce runs off Flash drives!

jrichtman
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--- I don't want a portable

--- I don't want a portable software, just I want to be able to use the software without installing it. ----

This would be a "Portable" app. What everyone is mostly trying to say is portable apps.com deals with mostly open source software and / or software capable of being made "Portable". The zune is just too closed source right now, give it time though someone may come out with a driver or 3rd party software to use zune as a hard drive.

In the mean time save some time and money and use the usb pen drives to transfer files. I really don't understand why people spend a few hundred bucks just to use a device for storage?

Further more, loading a usb drive with vlc and mplayer and you pretty much have a portable zune, ipod, etc. , just plug and enjoy. I know its not truly "Portable" but most places I see people spend more time with the devices plugged into computers than actually on the go.

IMHO thats my 2 cents.

Dave Dem
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Zune Hack

Do you or anyone else know whether the standard Zune hack I've seen around the web still works with Zune version 1.4? I made the suggested changes to the PC registry but the Zune does not show up as a hard drive on the PC. I also have a Sansa with flash drive and I love the ease by which I can add or delete files. Thanks, Dave

Espreon
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Yeah

Your right! Now I know 2 people that have Zunes!

John T. Haller
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Won't Work

Basically, Microsoft made a VERY poor decision when choosing not to make Zune support the USB mass storage device standard. As such, you can't get ANYTHING on or off of it without having special software installed on every single PC you connect it to. You can't install this software on the Zune itself, since the PC won't be able to access it until it is installed. You can hack individual PCs to show it with some registry changes. But you can't make these without admin access. And the changes are different on each PC.

Bottom line is, if you want a media player that will also work as a portable storage device, DO NOT buy a Zune.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

nocr
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IMHO

Both the iPod and the Zune suck.

The iPod is a ridiculously overpriced product that fails to include any extra built-in features. And the battery, which you are supposed to replace once a year (every 13 months) costs $90 to replace.

Not to mention, usually within 6 months after you buy it, it is already outdated.

I bought a Creative Zen Micro 4 years ago, and it still works fine. At the time, it was designed to compete with the iPod Mini. Not only did it cost less than the Mini for the same amount of space, but it also has a built-in microphone, an Excellent FM Tuner, and a removable battery. The replacement batteries only cost USD $30, but so far, I haven't had to replace mine.

Plus, we all know that Creative is the standard for high-end computer sound cards. The sound quality on my Zen is fantastic.

Please Make TiLP Portable

Patrick Patience
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Agree

Never tried the Zune, but when I read about it a while back it sounded dumb. And yea, the iPods are always failing, I always had problems with iTunes.

consul
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My Pics: Creative Zen and Sandisk

I have used or recommended and borrowed them from friends. Plays everything, and very happy with them, never had a problem. In-expensive too. Not as cheap as Coby, but still pretty good design and cost ratio.
I have always shied away from IPOD because I don't like Apple's warranty policy, their hardware failure rate, and their more stricter closed source policy than MS.
I don't like I-tunes and how they force users to go through them all the time, their hardway of transfering music b/w computers, their obfuscate file coding system.

Don't be an uberPr∅. They are stinky.

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