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Wednesday, November 29, 2006
A few review notes, comparing two popular automated build tools, FinalBuilder 5.0 and Automated Build Studio 2.2. These are just notes I'm making as I try and port an old WANT script (like ANT, but more focused on Delphi). I'm still trying to decide which one I like better and these notes are to help me, and possibly you, decide. The Points: 1 means "nice feature" or "that's nicely implemented". 2 means "rocking feature" or "that was implemented well". 3 means "killer feature" or "this is how software is supposed to be done." One of the first things I wanted
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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
We are still in the digital dark ages, at least as far as media goes. Let's explore just how ugly it is currently: 1. DRM (Digital Rights Management) DRM is supposed to be about managing the rights of digital assets yet it really has nothing to do with "rights" and everything to do with market lock. Since no two DRM systems are interchangeable this means you're not just paying for the music, you're also paying for the device. Imagine buying a CD that only works in a Kenwood stereo and having to buy it again if you wanted to play it at
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Saturday, November 18, 2006
So, after being unable to get my pre-loaded content back I did what tech support would never suggest... I returned it. I said goodbye black Zune, thanks for playing, I don't need your inflexibility. Of course what will replace my old black Zune? How about... a new black Zune! That's right, I went to Target that same night and found they were running a promotion where you receive a $25 gift card when you buy a Zune AND sales tax in Louisville is much less than in Broomfield so in the end I got it for almost $30 cheaper.
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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
See how I played on the fact that it comes with "preloaded content" but instead I'm sarcastically saying "preloaded issues". Yeah, I know, powerful stuff (see, even more sarcasm). You could probably also call these "bugs", maybe "poor planning" or if you don't really care then you may downgrade them to "annoyances". Preloaded Content #1 - Preloaded music doesn't show album art in software. This software is supposed to be my one home for all music needs and yet it can't show me the album art of it's own preloaded music? That doesn't exactly inspire confidence. #2 - Preloaded playlist doesn't
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Tuesday, November 14, 2006
I just bought a Zune. Most everything that the reviews have mentioned is true: quick, sexy UI, nice tactile feel to the case, screen is crisp, software is easy to setup, music sounds good. Of course like all the good there is the bad and here are a few things that have raised my temperature by a few degrees: #1 - Can't Play Music Directly from the Zune Perhaps I'm missing something and I'm happy to be proven wrong but you can't seem to play music directly off the Zune. I fully expected to be able to browse my Zune, select