What took me so long?

[rsm357]

In a nutshell-I just ordered two brown Zunes last week. Why? Because I started taking the train to work instead of driving. My new commute time via train is about one hour and a half each way. Don’t ask what it was by car. Let’s just say that I had to get XM a few years ago in my car for my sanity.

Last month, I bought a portable DVD player that had a little slot in it for an iPod. I saw a few of the passengers on my train with them but they looked really bulky and cumbersome. I am trying to be as unencumbered as possible on the train but I was willing to give it a try and if it did not work out I would give it to the kids. I told myself that I would purchase an iPod but at this point none had interested me enough. I guess I knew that it was not a keeper because not only did I not open the packaging but I did not even take it out of the bag and left it in the car. I am probably one of the only techs at my job that does not own an iPod, Zune or other portable device. Why you might ask? I have been on information overload and have been trying to really slow things down and prioritize what was important and practical. Yeah, I used to spend way too much time hacking Linux and playing a number of games until the wee hours. Who hasn’t? My gov job consists of so much time dealing with servers and systems that the last thing that I really want to do in my free time is more hacking…

Until now. A friend at work convinced me to consider the Zune. I did a little research and
decided to order a couple of brown Zunes and get an 80g after the holidays if I really felt the need.

I knew the day of reckoning would come so I have been getting things together on my side w/ TMPG Enc Xpress/DVD Shrink/DVD Decrypter/ RipIt4Me. Did I say that I was on info overload? OK…I have been busy doing the DVD thing for a while. Not so much as a hobby but out of necessity. I have two boys, 8 and 5 and I make copies of all of their DVD’s including mine and store away the originals. This is how I rationalized keeping up with ripping/encoding …

So my 8 year old has been asking for an MP3 player. He has a Nintendo DS which he loves and I figured he could handle a Zune. Shoot, he has an Xbox and a PC and Mac too. I even gave him my old Sony Wega HDTV earlier in the year. If anything, he can handle it better than me. Let’s not forget that it is me that only carries a Blackberry because of the job and has not owned any portable device since a Sony walkman. Am I dating myself?
Anyway, I though that I would take one of the brown Zunes and load it up with some of his favorite movies and music. I also plan on slipping in some educational stuff too…


End of story- The goal is to reduce stress and save money. The money that I saved on gas last month alone paid for the Zunes ($99 x 2). I am looking forward to a less stressful commute with my Zune.

So after scouring the world of Zunedom, I am here and glad to be a member of your boards.

Thanks for listening.

RSM357

[Gregory]

Nice Story.
Welcome to ZuneBoards.

[Dizzy]

Dang. You've got some lucky kids. Sounds like they know how to have fun

I can't say I'm surprised you decided to take the train, especially with gas prices going through the roof. Did you like you XM radio? I'm considering getting an HD one, just because I'm so cheap I can't handle the monthly fees.

Hope you enjoy your Zunes! If you've got any questions, I'm the mod of the Help forum and I'd be glad to help.

[Wootmasta]

Originally Posted by rsm357

I make copies of all of their DVD’s including mine and store away the originals.

Come on you don't have to lie!
just kidding
nice to have you here

[CameleonMK]

Welcome to the forums. Those are some lucky kids. Anyway check out my sig for some helpful things.

[rsm357]

Thanks for the greetings. They are much appreciated.

Dizzy, I enjoyed the XM and still do like today when I am at home with a bad bug. Had a few problems with billing when I tried to replace a broken radio with a promo offer but to be fair, they evenually settled it and reduced my bill. I also use a Sirius online account at work just for variety. I would have gotten a mobile XM but the reviews of it for above ground train travel suck. I will probably end up downloading some of the programs that I am interested in and will listen to them on the Zune.