The Real Reason Computer Programmers Are In Short Supply

Because we have to read stuff like this, first thing in the morning:

util.obj : error LNK2005: "unsigned short defaultLanguage" (?defaultLanguage@@3G A) already defined in WMACleanup.obj util.obj : error LNK2005: "class std::basic_string<char,struct std::char_traits< char>,class std::allocator<char> > MMFP" (?MMFP@@3V?$basic_string@DU?$char_trait s@D@std@@V?$allocator@D@2@@std@@A) already defined in WMACleanup.obj util.obj : error LNK2005: "class std::basic_string<char,struct std::char_traits< char>,class std::allocator<char> > MMDATA" (?MMDATA@@3V?$basic_string@DU?$char_t raits@D@std@@V?$allocator@D@2@@std@@A) already defined in WMACleanup.obj util.obj : error LNK2005: "void __cdecl log(long,unsigned short const *)" (?log@ @YAXJPBG@Z) already defined in WMACleanup.obj util.obj : error LNK2005: "bool __cdecl readBytes(int,unsigned char *,int)" (?re adBytes@@YA_NHPAEH@Z) already defined in WMACleanup.obj util.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol _ConvertUTF8toUTF16 util.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "bool __cdecl getBinaryFile Contents(unsigned short const *,unsigned char * &,int &)" (?getBinaryFileContent s@@YA_NPBGAAPAEAAH@Z) WMACleanup.exe : fatal error LNK1120: 2 unresolved externals

Zune It To Me One More Time

Sigh...

I was really trying to avoid yet another Zune rant, but it's such a mind-bogglingly disastrous little device that I just can't help myself...

As you can read in my previous post, I've lost another iPod. Rather than immediately buying another one, I decided to see if I could get by with the ol' brown Zune for awhile.

The first thing, I ran the Zune software by itself, looking for the inevitable update. Loaded up, incredibly slow boot, following by some gibberish looking error message, which finally resolved, and it came up. (Something about a connection to the online marketplace.) Hmm... they have an "exclusive" japanese b-side by Velvet Revolver, let's look at that.... nope - the Zune page shows no tracks available after all. That was a brilliant use of the homepage (btw, this resolved later in the day, and started working again). Then, yep, the inevitable update, and system reboot.

Rinse and repeat, with the Zune plugged in... hey, time to update the firmware. Got a very strange dialog, had the whole office come look at it, but aside from that, the update went ok, I suppose.

Now, to get some tunes onto the zune. First up - wipe the old test data I had on there... select all, press delete... hang, reboot. Oops. Try again, select "Erase Zune", dialog says "ok, fine", then the Zune software starts resyncing and loading all the test data back on to the Zune for me. How helpful... not. Set to manual, wipe, purge, clean, (three times). Figure out how to sync manually... looks like the most effective way so far (since I don't use the Zune software to manage my library) is to load a playlist, then sync that to the Zune manually.

Many moons later...

Zune is loaded, rocking out, life is good. I forgot how pretty the large cover art works, although the screen goes completely black while you're listening, to conserve battery power (configurable).

If it had stopped there, I wouldn't be writing this.

Today, I plug in the Zune to my Windows computer, to charge the battery, and I get a lovely "Found New Hardware", would you like me to install the driver for this device wizard. Really? I was just using this on this very computer yesterday. This is nuts.

---

Side note: after being seen in public with my Zune, a friend actually came up and admitted to me that he had one too. So maybe there is a secret subculture of underground Zune users, who speak only to each other, hiding their little wifi devices from the general view. This brings my total number of Zune sightings "in the wild" to three (that includes my own, and I didn't actually see the one I just mentioned, but why would anyone lie about owning a Zune?).

R.I.P.

DeadiPod
Originally uploaded by whicken

Well, that was quick. Here is the final photo before I lay this to rest in my iPod graveyard.

His days are numbered.

It's with heavy heart that I must report another iPod is on its last legs. This time, the item in question is a 30GB black iPod Video. The same one reported in an earlier post as having issues with some AAC files...

The symptoms include:

• Occasional hangs
• Sporadic skipping to the next track while playing songs
• Intermittent crashes, requiring hard reboot - stat!

We had a false alarm today, as the iPod refused to do anything when plugged in for a recharge. After several attempts, the hard reboot finally took. But I can see, his days are numbered. Those wishing to pay their last respects should do so soon, before the patient expires completely.

"Suddenly work doesn't feel like it"

So, I'm trying to open a document from a co-worker. It's a Pages document, so I figure no problem, and click on it.

Of course, I get a lovely error message:

You need a newer version of Pages to open this document.

Sigh... I'm sure this simple document isn't using any earth shattering new feature, but now I have to buy new software to read these files? It helpfully provides a link to the upgrade page, which reads:

The new iWork '08. Suddenly work doesn't feel like it.

Sure doesn't. Feels like I'm wasting time upgrading my software instead of getting work done.

Zune Watch

I saw the weirdest thing today... someone walking out of the local Best Buy, with a brand new Zune. That's the first one I've seen outside a store, besides the one I've got stashed away collecting dirt (it's ok, you can't see it on the brown case). Of course, the dad was telling his son... "Make sure you keep the box intact, so we can take it back." You tell him dad, it's your job to protect today's youth.