Schrödinger's Zune

October 13, 2008 05:48 PM

During this weekend's recording of the Chainsaw Buffet Podcast, Mike mentioned the social features of the Zune software--mainly, the ability to share playlists and recently played songs. Despite my natural proclivity to "wuss rock" (and despite the fact that Mike actively made fun of other people's playlists for just that sort of music), I installed the new Zune software and imported my music library.

If you're interested in what I listen to as I code, my profile page is http://social.zune.net/member/DylanW

Here's the funny thing: when I was listening to stuff off my streaming MP3 server, I didn't give what I listened to a second thought. Sometimes I'd listen to the same album several times in a row; sometimes I'd get bored after the second song. Now, I'm finding that I watch it more closely. Do I want something to show up on my playlist if I'm not really sure I want to listen to it? What about bands and songs I want to show up on my history, but don't feel like listening to right now? The act of observing seems to have changed things (hence the title of this post). Maybe that'll change... or I'll get bored with the Zune software and go back to my streaming server running edna.

I do have to admit that the Now Playing view and the Mixview in 3.0 are awesome. Even if you don't have a Zune (I don't), it's still worth it to install and take a look.

Comments

Success!

Nathan Blevins • October 14, 2008 10:06 AM
So, I finally was able to log into your site. Thanks for the password reset. As it turns out, I also forgot which email address I used as well, lol.

In regards to the music, I have the same problem. If I actively think about what I am listening to, it completely changes my outlook of what I pick. To take that even further, if I actually pick things that I -think- I like, but think it is totally crap when I get around to listening to it. Very strange...

My other problem is the amoun of time that it takes me to actually organize my collections... I have over 80 gigs and I am almost defeated by the very thought of trying to work though it.

Finally, 'wuss rock' is cool, so don't worry so much about it. If nothing else, I listen to hippie rock most of the time, so I am not much better. lol

Music

Dylan Wolf • October 14, 2008 10:22 AM
I do need to create a password reset form. It wouldn't be that hard either. I'm just... lazy.

Yeah, I run into the "music I think I like" problem quite a bit. I tend to stick with the same bands because it's the safe bet, even though there's probably stuff I'd like more. However, I've started using Amazon MP3 a lot more, and one of the benefits is I've sort of been able to branch out (I posted on the TVGA forums about it here).

I'm not horribly worried about "wuss rock," but John, Charlie, and Chad have impressed its suckitude upon me. Which I think I respond to by listening stuff that's even more wussy.

Quirks

Dylan Wolf • October 14, 2008 05:13 PM
The Social thing is neat, but I'm starting to notice some quirks. Nothing bad, but it does kill some of my initial excitement. As with any feature, it's not how it's supposed to work that matters, it's whether you have good, complete data fueling it so that it works right.

First, it seems to think this song is from this album, based on the ID3 tags.

Also, it can't seem to match up a couple of EPs I downloaded from Amazon MP3 with the same EPs that it has in its collection.

Other music stuff

Dylan Wolf • October 15, 2008 10:39 AM
So, just a couple of bands that I've either found off of Amazon recommendations or free MP3 samplers:

Nathan, if you like hippie rock, try Fleet Foxes. They're sort of trying to be more medieval than hippie, but they remind me of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in some places.

Mike, if you like emo women, try Fauxliage. Might be (depending on the song) too emo or not emo enough, but I think it's in the same vein as Dido.