Comments on: Farewell, Zune?

By: AlexH

AlexH — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:07:52 +0000

The code explains why it bricks, it’s very simple.

David’s point is basically right, although it’s not the first time anyone has been caught out like this by any means.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:38:06 +0000

Why should a date error render a device unusable (brick) for over a day? That implies that Microsoft designed badly on top of it. It made it clock dependent, possibly because of DRM.

By: David Gerard

David Gerard — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:37:58 +0000

Anyone using the reference design or code untested is insane. It’s Microsoft’s fault, not anyone else’s.

By: The Mad Hatter

The Mad Hatter — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:31:20 +0000

Freescale does appear to have been the author of the code, so they are most directly to blame, however Microsoft’s inspection of the code (they did inspect it I hope) was also faulty.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:02:59 +0000

Yes, I noticed that too. I guess Microsoft can also also blame XBox failures on its contractors in China.

“Nothing to do with Microsoft…”

Ignore the logo.

By: David Gerard

David Gerard — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:55:23 +0000

It's interesting to see lots of really loud spin that this is NOT MICROSOFT'S FAULT even though they, ah, designed it, purportedly tested it,marketed it and (fsvo) sold it.

By: The Mad Hatter

The Mad Hatter — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:40:16 +0000

Yeah, that code is classic. Freescale really messed up, see this link:

http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-news/38143-cause-zune-30-leapyear-problem-isolated.html

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:31:10 +0000

Almost nothing was affected by Y2K, yet Microsoft fails on… 2008.

Windows Millennium Edition was no star, either.

By: ml2mst

ml2mst — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:27:27 +0000

Here is the reason for the Zune crash (starting at line 259):

http://pastie.org/349916

[quote]
while (days > 365)
{
if (IsLeapYear(year))
{
if (days > 366)
{
days -= 366;
year += 1;
}
}
else
{
days -= 365;
year += 1;
}
}
[/quote]

Great piece of code huh? LOL

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:16:56 +0000

I’ll add it to my quotes file, under your name.

By: David Gerard

David Gerard — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:13:58 +0000

“Wine is a better Windows than Vista” is a useful phrase to repeat wherever suitable. Because it’s true.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:07:21 +0000

Yes, see:

Linux has better Windows compatibility than Vista
http://wine-review.blogspot.com/2008/02/linux-has-better-windows-compatibility.html

By: David Gerard

David Gerard — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:03:12 +0000

I tried compiling Wine on Windows. This is actually a project with a point to it! Even if it's presently impossible. Newer Windows don't run older Windows apps, to the point where Wine is already a better Windows than Vista.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:52:00 +0000

We all do. The question is, what do we actually do on that week ‘off’?

By: David Gerard

David Gerard — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:48:05 +0000

You haven’t read in that long? I thought you’d enjoy the January 1st one

Mind you, I needed my week off.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:46:53 +0000

Oh dear.

http://notnews.today.com/2008/12/25/merry-thursday-and-a-happy-new-thursday/

By: David Gerard

David Gerard — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:43:21 +0000

Oh dear Lord. What’s the copyright on that photo? I want to use it on the Notnews I just wrote. Tom Davis, could I please have permission to use it? See http://notnews.today.com/ .

By: G. Michaels

G. Michaels — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:40:24 +0000

I don't think it was even their fault, although of course perception is firmly against them. When Ford recalls lots of vehicles because of a faulty seatbelt lock it doesn't really matter if that came from a supplier, Ford still takes the hit. Of course I wouldn't expect you to include that in your blog article. You're not interested in informing people, just criticizing. Note: writer of this comment adds absolutely nothing but stalking and personal attacks against readers, as documented here.

By: Diamond Wakizashi

Diamond Wakizashi — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:21:09 +0000

“Like many other products, it only helps Microsoft bleed cash and generate press releases”

We should hope Microsoft continues to make Zunes so they will go into debt faster.

By: Roy Schestowitz

Roy Schestowitz — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:45:59 +0000

Video testimonies:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDxa-GNWrs
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2NGI08hU2wY
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Wr2aUJOnI
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=feAuIhbFNTs