Interesting. Maybe my memory is faulty but my iTunes did fine monitoring folders until I turned the feature off (it kept trying to add sound files from my DVD authoring software).
I've fought with iTunes for a few years, and I've never seen it monitor folders. I really don't want to re-hash the whole argument again (Janak? This means you! ) but in essence iTunes assumes that it's the central consumption point for music, videos, podcasts, etc. If you add content to your hard drive/LAN outside of iTunes, it's too stupid to know it's there.
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I just wanted to point out Amazon MP3's downloader can populate iTunes automatically, so that, along with iTunes's built-in importing facility, might explain why some people don't notice the lack of monitoring folders.
That's only helpful if you download the Amazon songs on the same computer that you have iTunes on. In my case, I don't do that. It's just too limited to think that way, to rely on a specific set of circumstances that need to be "just right" in order for it to work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
Anyway, does the Zune software have smart playlist functionality? I do end up using that in iTunes with a strategy of cascading rules to filter out which music I don't listen to, so as to fit everything in 32GB...
I guess it depends on how you define what "smart playlists" are supposed to do. See earlier in my thread where I describe how I use the Zune software...I think it's pretty smart.
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Please, please, don't use this argument. The point is not length, but selection. I occasionally want to hear a song from an album I bought a long time ago and generally don't listen to anymore. Or the whole album, for that matter.
Jeepers, people jumping all over me for simply answering the question how I get by on a limited memory device with a larger library! It's how I get by. If it doesn't work for somebody, use your imagination.
If one has a Zune Pass that allows unlimited downloads, how does one limit oneself to only 120 GB? You find a way, right?
That's only helpful if you download the Amazon songs on the same computer that you have iTunes on. In my case, I don't do that. It's just too limited to think that way, to rely on a specific set of circumstances that need to be "just right" in order for it to work.
So we can easily debate this implicitly, which is what I think we're sidling to. But... I'll... resist... grr!
Jeepers, people jumping all over me for simply answering the question how I get by on a limited memory device with a larger library! It's how I get by. If it doesn't work for somebody, use your imagination.
Well, you did say:
Quote:
Originally Posted by doogald
I'd say that a 32 GB Zune should get you pretty far.
And, no, a 32GB iPhone doesn't get me far enough. It's better than 16GB, but the song selection is driving me insane.
Quote:
If one has a Zune Pass that allows unlimited downloads, how does one limit oneself to only 120 GB? You find a way, right?
I don't have a Zune, so that problem has been avoided. But one solution is WiFi streaming, which the Sansa has for Rhapsody.
Also, when I use Rhapsody, I tend to be pretty picky as to which music I continue listening to, and if I like it, I typically purchase it. I guess (when I used to use a Pocket PC to listen to Janus DRM music) I didn't do as much exploratory listening on my mobile device myself, because I like to surf different artists and tastes interactively, and doing that in the subway is not going to work.
I freely admit my model isn't perfect for anyone else, though. It's somewhat arbitrarily suited to my tastes.
Yes, it was the Exchange ActiveSync support. But, this short statement doesn't cover the whole picture. I've been using a PocketPC/Windows Mobile device for many years (since version 2.11). ActiveSync has the capability of syncing files as well as contacts/appointments. It does it very well and has never failed me. Look, also, at Microsoft's SyncToy. It does a remarkable job of quickly scanning files and making appropriate transfers in both directions if desired. Zune, ActiveSync, and SyncToy also work from a list of working folders and leaves the rest of the world alone. iTunes on the other hand wanted to "sync" everything, would frequently miss new files (not always), deleted files off the iPod when it got confused and was only one direction - to the iPod.
Apple clearly couldn't get it right on their own. I understand things have mysteriously gotten better since they started using ActiveSync.
I respectfully disagree. The iPhone has many limitations, but the one significant difference I saw on day 1 is that the sync experience was 100x more reliable than (desktop) ActiveSync. I do miss file sync and the ability to have plugin syncs, but the reliability has more than made up for it.
Sorry, I didn't mean to be critical of your advice.
I just quickly went through 5 classical CDs, rating each track using the Zune's heart method. Each track was familiar and I had strongly formed opinions of each track so I didn't have to listen through the entire selection. It still took almost 45 minutes. I guess I just need to get my act together and eliminate the tracks I hate and see what's left.
I've been doing this since the squircle on my 80 started acting up and I rotated in the 120 as my main music experience. Now I'm at the point that every time I plug in the Zune I have to remove stuff, I already have it set not to sync broken hearts, and this morning I had to remove Michael Jackson and another artist.
Podcasts, videos, friends, channels & pictures have been off the device for about a month. Every time I take something off it finds something else to go in. Also since the 80 there have been about 2000 songs that won't sync, are formatted correctly and have proper licenses for ZPass content.
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) but in essence iTunes assumes that it's the central consumption point for music, videos, podcasts, etc. If you add content to your hard drive/LAN outside of iTunes, it's too stupid to know it's there.
It's how I get by. If it doesn't work for somebody, use your imagination. 
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