[PCWorld]

Post your comments for ZuneGate '08: What Really Happened! here

[kingp]

Ok, you are aware that this code was written by FREESCALE and not Microsoft...correct? If this firmware WAS written by Microsoft, then why is this same bug affecting Toshiba Gigabeat players? Zune 30 is designed off of the Gigabeat and uses many of the same components (including the Freescale processor that is affected by this bad code). Microsoft has nothing to do with this. This is Freescales fault.

[tenney67]

It's also funny that it only affected the original Zune and all other Zune models were fine. This is being blown out of proportion.

[kingp]

The Zune 30 uses different components (because it was developed by Toshiba) from all the Zune models. The newer models do not use this particular Freescale processor for the internal clock.

[bryanmills]

So what you are saying is that Microsoft's is not at fault because they copied someone else's code. In the world of embedded systems, the developers are expected to TEST their products. Assuming that some code works because someone else wrote it is foolish. Microsoft has been in the programming business long enough to know better. It is Microsoft's fault. This is just another example of the "ship what should work and let our user's find the bugs" methodology of device verification testing.

[kingp]

Then I guess Toshiba falls under this same category. Either way, the code should NOT have been shipped from Freescale with this bug. If you're going to spread blame, then you need to hold Toshiba and Freescale accountable as well. But it's not as fun to bash those guys as it is Microsoft.

[JasonW]

Interesting that PCWorld is trying to digg their own post instead of digging the original. What's up with that?
Original digg link from the referenced site:
http://digg.com/microsoft/TheEXACTcauseoftheZune30bugandhowtofixit

[TheMurph]

Wow! Lordy. I will never paste content from Microsoft Word again. Here's the post I was trying to make:

"Jason,

Two things. First, every single PC World blog article has a Digg
button attached to it. That is universal. The fact that this story
is being "dugg" has nothing to do with PC World specifically
promoting it as such.

The article was submitted from someone who, as far as I can tell via a quick
search, has nothing to do with PCW at all. That's how Digg works -- just
because content is first doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to hit the
site's front page. People Digg what they find based on its value, its use to
them, and even how they find it in the first place."

[JasonW]

didn't think you would actually respond.
Anyway, minor technical issue with your writeup: "Users worldwide quickly found that their Zunes were completely locked out."
The Zune 30 was only sold in the States.

[TheMurph]

JasonW,

This is going to sound way more sarcastic than it's intended to, so I apologize in advance: people can buy Zunes in the US and travel with them. Hence worldwide. ; )

[number6]

How long has the Zune been around? Shorter than 4 years? If so, why does the counter go all the way back to 1980? If it's been around longer, then why wasn't the bug discovered in 2004?

[aznemesis]

This has got to be the lamest excuse I've ever heard. If someone buys an item in one country and takes it to another, that doesn't mean the item has problems "worldwide." You're exaggerating and you got caught. Just admit you screwed up.

As for the Zune, I'm not terribly fond of it. I bought one for my daughter and the screen went out within 4 months. On the other hand, if it weren't made by Microsoft, no one would care. If, for example, it were made by Apple, the Mac fan-boys would come out of the woodwork defending it, screaming that everyone was trying to bring down their patron saint, Steve Jobs. Kind of like they do the iPhone, which has its own troubles.

[TheMurph]

We'll have to agree to disagree, Aznemesis. When this problem affects an estimated 1 million owners and is heralded as "what appears to be the biggest worldwide device failure in consumer electronics history," I think calling it a worldwide issue is completely accurate. But don't take my word for it.

[catnat109]

Hey, it happens. Apple products have had the same problems.