anyone have the (microsoft) zune

im just wondering how well this mp3 player (the microsoft zune) works with a linux computer. From what i hear it sounds like i will need to spend some money on vmware if i get this mp3 player and i would rather not need to do that. Anyone got it working?

 

As far as i know it will not work with anything at all.

 

it works with windows but im not sure about linux. i love my zune

 

I love my Zune, but no linux support.
You can try running Windows in a VM.

 

Maybe in a virtual machine....I haven't even checked my iPod for that yet...

 

maybe if someone has the zune, could you try this?

http://www.zune-online.com/news/zune/zune-on-mac-os-x-and-linux.html

that link sounds like something worth trying

 

That link makes me think my iPod might work in VirtualBox....need to digg it out of the bag and try....

 

Ipods work in linux...
What iPod do you have, theZoid?

 

30 gig iPod video (classic they call it now)....that's right, it works with Amarok doesn't it..... Excuse the clay brain, I was thinking of my Blackberry

 

I won't buy an mp3 player unless I can load music via drag-and-drop.

 

Unfortunately, none of the big hard drive players support that nowadays. Only the small flash-based players will support that. Personally, I would just try to get Rockbox running on any device I wanted Linux support for, rather than trying to reverse engineering their data transfer/storage formats. Then you get all codecs, drag and drop, and Linux support. And you get to feel special for using alternative firmware Oh, and don't forget about the Linux games you can play on Rockbox

 

well im starting to think that the zune is a bad choice for me..

1) it cant be used as a portable hard drive
2) linux support doesnt seem to exist
3) it seems pretty locked down (ie. no hacking, no rockbox)

maybe the ipod 80gb is a better choice for me

 

I can't think of anything made by Microsoft I would want to buy. When I use Microsoft products it is very much because the alternatives are even worse. e.g. I've been thinking of getting an MS-powered smartphone/PDA to replace my Treo. That's because Palm has successfully torpedoed their platform and I've lost faith in their capability to do anything right. But Linux-based smartphones are starting to be sold so I'm waiting for a good Linux device.

In the case of the Zune, I'd think there are plenty of alternatives.

 

Yeah, just hold out for Android, and you will have a ton of choice in terms of hardware while getting the same software on all those platforms.

 

zune is a good alternative to the ipod i now i had both( new and old generation) zune and ipod and i rather have an zune. any way the zune is probably not for you since you want to use linux

 

You can always run the Zune Software in VirtualBox and mount your music directory from Linux in the Windows VM and sync like that.

 

Yeah, actually I have an old IRIVER HP120 that I keep running (new battery, new 30gb hd). Rockbox allows me to play gameboy games!!!

My flash player (Samsung ypu2) is also modded for drag and drop rather than WMP.

I suppose that is why I will never buy any of the big name players. I like to build my own file trees and use the player with any computer/OS.

 

I'd say look at Cowon and Iriver. They've always put out a good product although they tend to be a little more expensive.

 

Not to argue this point and to take away from the thread. But frankly the Zune 2 is a very good competitor to the iPod Classic...I don't understand how it any worse than Apple's offering when it pretty much follows the same playbook?

 

this looks like a good solution, if anyone with the zune is willing to try this before i buy an mp3 player that would be pretty sweet

 

You did take away from the thread because you missed the main issue. The main issue is not whether the Zune is better than the iPod but whether the Zune is supported in Linux and if supported at all, how robust and convenient this support is.

The Zune is not directly supported in Linux. You have to install a virtual machine and run Windows! This is neither convenient nor cheap (you need to have a Windows license). So why would someone who wants their mp3 player to work seamlessly with Linux buy a Zune?

 

im starting to like the idea of an ipod classic 80gb + rockbox. Apparently you can make your own applications and stuff using rockbox, that could be fun (if i can think of something to make)

but i do have a spare windows xp license around so that is also a good option.. too many options for me to choose from

 

i have a 16 GB cowon D2. Works like a charm under linux.

 

Yep. I gave my wife one of those when she was still using Windows. She uses Linux now and seems happy with this device. I don't use it personally so I can't say much about it myself.

 

Last time I shopped around the Cowon players really stood out.

But I can't say enough good things about my old Iriver hp120. If you can find an hp120 or 140, I'd say go for it!