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Comment by shaggyfrog | Hacker News Reader

Too bad the general population is not a majority of ASP.NET programmers.

Not sure what you don't understand about the move, though. Simply put, the thing just isn't selling. Maybe it's the terrible marketing, maybe it's the choice of verbs to describe the functionality ("squirting"... really?), maybe it's fact that PlaysForSure couldn't play on it, maybe it's because the software delivered a sub-par performance (at least in the minds of consumers) versus iTunes.

Or maybe it's all of that, combined.

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The "squirting" absolutely killed me. A word you don't want to put through corporate content filters and a word that systems like Google's autocomplete won't complete. The conversation must have gone something like like:

Clueless Boss: I think we should call the lending feature: Squirting!

Embarrassed Subordinate: Uh...are you sure that's a good word?

Boss: It's great, really pushes the fun, playful image we're after. I love it!

Subordinate: It's just that it...

Boss: Yes?

Subordinate: It means...It, uh, I mean...yeesh, I'm going to go grab some lunch. <runs>

Boss: Cool, squirt you later!

"Squirt! Say it! Say it!"

I think the Zune SW was generally considered much better than iTunes. IMO it entered the market too late. It was probably, just looking at the device and HW, its better than the iPod line up until the iPod Touch. But ecosystem and marketing effects were too strong. Particularly the ecosystem. The fact that every home/auto audio device works with an iPod makes it very attractive, and something Zune doesn't have.

In a world w/o the ecosystem,starting fresh from day 1, I think the Zune maybe beats the iPod. But the iPod with its headstart in ecosystem just crushes it. And deservedly so -- the Zune never exists if the iPod didn't exist. The Zune was created in response to the iPod. A very good response, but Apple has executed well from day 1 to present. I'm happy if they get rewarded for the execution, even I don't particularly like the device (the pre iPod touch versions).

Agreed, I bought two Zunes, a 120gb one and the Zune HD. The devices were fantastic but more than that I love the Zune software.

iTunes drives me crazy, but the Zune software looks like nothing else Microsoft ever created. It's cool, intuitive and works great.

If they had gotten in to that ecosystem a bit sooner it could have been different, but the timing was all wrong.

Fairly sure the GP was being sarcastic. If only ASP.NET developers were making up the numbers then it would clearly be time to call it a day.

I get the general feeling that most people dislike iTunes. Many of the same people like the Zune software.

In this case I think people just didn't try it. They already owned iPods when they were superior devices and never switched even when Zune passed them in quality.

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