From A Loyal Supporter From Day One - When Can We Expect A Statement?

Yup, the loss of transcoding is the issue that bit me. Have you gotten any replies on the request for good batch converters? I sure do not want to maintain two libraries, but I'm hoping it can get me by until the add transcoding back into the software. (maybe I shouldn't assume they will add it back)

I am coming to realize by the quiet from Cesar and the Zune team that the lovely advantage of Zune 30 players being 'upgraded' with the new players is no longer an 'advantage'. I for one would have rather been left behind with the old software. At least it worked and let me organize and manage my content 'my way'. So much for 'You Make It You'.... thats a fairly laughable tagline at this point.

-Lil'

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You can't steal second with your foot on first.

Well maybe there too drunk on there release to realize there is a problem. Lets start off by messaging the staff. http://www.zune.net/en-us/social/spotlight/default.htm then if we don't see anything come from it lets try to find some contact info for Microsoft's higher ups.

I'm not sure I've ever seen an "upgrade" that dumbed down the software.  To me, this is unacceptable.  I despise the new software; absolutely DESPISE it.  In addition do what's been already pointed out, what about:

-the ability to save a playlist as... (so it can be edited in Notepad to change path maps, or to export/import for other software)*
-drag and drop editing
-manual syncing
-un-foldered picture albums (does anyone LIKE the fact that pictures on the device are foldered based on your computer folders??)

*I spent HOURS going through my 200GB collection building a playlist of favorites in the old Zune software.  It disappeared with the upgrade because the new software looked for every bit of media in my old library, and deleted them all since I wasn't connected to my network drive where it's all located.  Thanks for the heads up on that, Microsoft.

This new software and firmware is horrible.  It may look pretty, but the functionality is awful.  Give me back my advanced features.  So much for buying the family all Zunes for Christmas.  I wouldn't gift this crap to anyone.  And I, like the original poster, touted my Zune and the great 1.4 software to EVERYONE.  This "upgrade" blows.

Nope have not heard of a good batch converter that keeps the track info... I loose half my library by not being able to convert from mp3 to wma.... To me this upgrade has been nothing but a punishment, give us all these nice toys that worked and then they just take them away!

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swazae A man that doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man. ~ Marlon Brando

I just messaged him and I encourage the rest of you to do the same. From my standpoint, they have till close of buisness today to at least make a statement and acknowledge the issues and hand and the timetable to fix them with a release. I refuse to invest anymore time and money in this until I feel confident that the 4 Zunes I purchased along with the many accessories will be supported and not ignored. Otherwise its time to go elsewhere.

How hard is a press release or offical statement? Really? How hard is that for everyone who stood by this product for over a year? Is that too much to ask?

-Lil'

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You can't steal second with your foot on first.

 lilsalmon wrote:

I am coming to realize by the quiet from Cesar and the Zune team that the lovely advantage of Zune 30 players being 'upgraded' with the new players is no longer an 'advantage'. I for one would have rather been left behind with the old software. At least it worked and let me organize and manage my content 'my way'. So much for 'You Make It You'.... thats a fairly laughable tagline at this point.

-Lil'

dbPowerAmp is a GREAT conversion tool for audio.  You have the option to preserve tags or delete them when you transcode.  It's as simple as right clicking the file(s) and selecting "Convert To" and choosing the new format.

 terrymt wrote:

Yup, the loss of transcoding is the issue that bit me. Have you gotten any replies on the request for good batch converters? I sure do not want to maintain two libraries, but I'm hoping it can get me by until the add transcoding back into the software. (maybe I shouldn't assume they will add it back)

If you have XP Media Center edition there is an application called "Windows Audio Converter" That will batch convert your WMA lossless files into anything you want.  It will even preserve the folder heirachy.

Otherwise try this:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/bonuspack/default.aspx

The Plus! Mp3 Audio Converter LE will do it BUT it is maxed at 96 Kbps which sucks.  Windows Audio Converter allows for any bitrate and VBR.

 

Like I stated previously. Why should we now need additonal software to do the things I could do 3 days ago.

-Lil'

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You can't steal second with your foot on first.

 lilsalmon wrote:

No I want a rollback or update fix from the Zune team theselves.. not something, someone came up with to fix there errors that is unsupported. Your really missing the point here... it SHOULDN'T be this hard.

That link is to the post that I made outlining what I had to do to downgrade.  I agree wholeheartedly with you!  It was only because I needed a way to vent my frustration with the "upgrades" that caused me to aggressively pursue a way to go back.  I should not have had to spend hours scouring the 'net and relying on the kindness of strangers to help put all the pieces together.

 lilsalmon wrote:

We are getting an update/upgrade folks! Since everyone, no matter the device is getting the update we really don't have a choice to lose the features they removed and we don't have a choice of wether or no it may mess-up your metadata etc and all the other issues it has caused. What your missing is, at this point we are at thier mercy for a 'beta' at best software solution because we are ALL being forced to the update regardless of Gen 1 or Gen 2. If you are going to force all of the people who purchased a Zune prior to this new version to use the software you sure as heck shouldn't cripple or remove what they had and or put it out as buggy as it is. Furthermore, if you make a big mistake with the release have the decency to come out and say so and let us know when it will be fixed.

I love my Zune 30.  Especially with the "obsolete" 1.4 firmware and 1.3 desktop software.  If MS wants us to "beta" test the new code, great... give us a supported method of switching firmware and software and I'll gladly pitch in.  But this "forced march" to the 2.2 firm/soft-ware really put a damper on what could've been a real cool deal.

 lilsalmon wrote:

After much investigation, debuging, attempting to repro and working with our beta community to test the scenario it appeared it would be a very rarely hit issue and if some hit it we would need to support our users through it. We see from the number of users hitting this that that was incorrect.

This statement alone scares the heck out of me. 'Rarely hit issue' ... look at all of the posts on here and every other Zune forum. Do something! Or at the very least make an annoucement or press release letting us know you are doing something about it and when we can expect an actual fix to all the issues. This is a nightmare and the largest PR snafu I have ever seen. Talk about alienating your most loyal supporters.

I am just getting more steamed along with the rest of you as the hours go by and we hear nothing but silence.

-Lil'

As a software developer myself, I completely understand how it is possible for bugs to slip through testing.  But I find it difficult to believe that that quote accurately reflected what actually happened... it seems more like, "uh oh, Houston we have a problem but marketing says we can't delay the date so we gotta roll with what we got and hope for the best".

I agree with most everything said here.  A lot of the features being taken away would bother me too, if I could get the software to upgrade/install.  I'm sorry to the people who feel that this is alpha software because I firmly feel it is indeed beta.  I also question how they can feel it is release worthy when it will not even install on their own operating systems.  I could understand if XP users were the only ones having problems.  I wouldn't like it but would understand that it was probably purposefully done to encourage people to switch to Vista.  But the fact remains that Vista users are having problems installing it too and because of the Vista firewall???  I first questioned myself as to how long this software was beta tested.  Then I called and spoke to MS for 2 hours.  I was basically told by a level 2 tech that the software was brand new even to them.  I said, "well, it's new to the general public but I am sure there were people who got to use it and test it before."  I was answered with a no that is was brand new to everyone period.  I just chalked it up to him not really knowing about the whole beta test procedure.  Although, after 2 hours and no fix added with him telling me to check back in the next 1-2 weeks and they should have a fix by then, now I firmly feel this was just slapped together at the last moment and dumped on us.  For those that feel the install issues are only affecting a handful of users, think again.  It's more than you think. 

Willy... I couldn't agree with you more....

That link is to the post that I made outlining what I had to do to downgrade.  I agree wholeheartedly with you!  It was only because I needed a way to vent my frustration with the "upgrades" that caused me to aggressively pursue a way to go back.  I should not have had to spend hours scouring the 'net and relying on the kindness of strangers to help put all the pieces together.

I appreciate the tiem you put into figuring that out. I didn't want to condemn you for it, just wanted to make it clear that it is unacceptable for the userbase to hae to find work-arounds for their mess-ups.

As a software developer myself, I completely understand how it is possible for bugs to slip through testing.  But I find it difficult to believe that that quote accurately reflected what actually happened... it seems more like, "uh oh, Houston we have a problem but marketing says we can't delay the date so we gotta roll with what we got and hope for the best".

I think that is exactly what happened... any knowing tht they should have been working on a release ASAP. I actually work on the design end of application and web developement. And as a designer this maybe the first time I have ever been inclined to say publically that i would give up the 'nice and fuzzies' of the app interface to have the guts work the way they were supposed to and have our old features back.

It's really funny how no negative posts reagarding all of the software mishaps are getting approved on Cesar's site. Almost like they want to censor what is actually happening. I looked over all fothe other forums and the device itself and the community aspects are doing wonderful... however the are completely ignoring the issues that have arisen.

-Lil'

 

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You can't steal second with your foot on first.