The Top Ten Reasons iTunes Sucks

[ChurchedAtheist]

The Top Ten Reasons iTunes Sucks - Webmonkey

iTunes sucks. There, we said it. Apple’s once very handy jukebox and music library manager has morphed into an unusable piece of crap that’s not even an app anymore, it’s just a kiosk for the iTunes Store. We’ve got nothing against most Apple products. We like OS X, so much in fact that we hacked it onto an EeePC, where it works smashingly well — or at least well enough until Apple joins the netbook market.
But when it comes to music players, Apple’s is one of the worst. Here are the top ten things that suck about iTunes:

• It’s a store, stupid — Almost all the other items on this list are a result of this single fact: iTunes is not an application in the traditional sense, it’s a storefront for Apple to sell music, movies and more. That’s all well and good. We’ve nothing against the store exactly, except when it gets in the way of other features. Unfortunately, it increasingly seems to be doing just that — feature updates have taken a back seat to iTunes Store feature updates. Take the arrows next to songs; by default they lead to the iTunes Store. Sure you can set them to point to your library, but how much cooler would it be if they led to a Wikipedia page or a band’s homepage?
• The library manager is prehistoric — Why do we need to tell iTunes about every single MP3 we add to our music folders? Worse, why does iTunes try to reorganize the folder without asking? Just mirror the file system. And for the love of Fortran, stop rearranging things. IPhoto handles this quite well, allowing us the option to reflect the folders on the hard drive. So what’s wrong with iTunes? And how is it that after seven and a half releases, iTunes still isn’t smart enough to automatically detect when we’ve dropped new music in our library folder?
• No web browser/Wikipedia/anything — Amarok showed us how cool this could be, leading us to Wikipedia pages of artists and bands, which then led us to discover new music, music we bought at Amazon.com. The iTunes Store’s recommendation features are pathetic. Since we’re finding new music in the web browser already, we just head to Amazon to buy the actual MP3s. Apple could have the links to the store and still work in a web browser — use JavaScript to inject links that lead back to the music store into outside pages and it’s yet another way to get people spending money. In the mean time, we won’t be opening a separate app just to buy some music.
• No plugin architecture — Just about everything Apple makes these days has a plugin architecture of some kind. Aperture has nice way for outsiders to write plugins, as do Garage Band and other music apps thanks to Core Audio. The iPhone alone should demonstrate that third parties could be adding tons of useful stuff to iTunes. This is the best part of Songbird, where the sky’s the limit. (Yes there are a few iTunes plugins, but they’re basically just very clever hacks using unofficial hooks to thrust themselves into iTunes. The exception is the visualizer SDK. Wow.)
• Massive memory footprint — Considering that iTunes is, ostensibly anyway, just a jukebox app, it puts a remarkable strain on your system resources. It isn’t too bad if you have a few gigs of RAM and newish processor, but it still seems excessive for just playing music.
• No support for other music formats Ogg/FLAC/etc. — This a dead horse, it’s never going to happen. But we still like to beat it. A LAME encoder would be nice as well (there is a third-party LAME encoder available).
• Drag and Drop sucks — If you’ve got a lot of playlists, adding music to them is awkward. We’re not sure what the answer would be here, but this is one of those rare cases where drag-and-drop feels primitive.
• Bloatware downloads — Windows users have to pay vigilant attention to any iTunes update, lest it also install Safari or QuickTime. Yes, a lot of companies do this, but Apple generally isn’t one of them. It usually has too much class for sneaky moves like this. As far as we know, neither Safari nor QuickTime try to install iTunes. If anecdotal evidence from Webmonkey readers is any guide, Apple is probably losing as many fans as it’s gaining with this move. To make matters worse, iTunes updates have a nasty history of triggering system crashes.
• Can’t use iPod as a music transport with iTunes — Despite the dozens of third-party apps that can easily move music off your iPod and back into iTunes, iTunes itself can’t do it. Yes, there are some political reasons why Apple doesn’t enable this. For one, record companies would freak out. But Apple is quite possibly more powerful than the labels at this point, and it would be great to see it give the proverbial finger to the industry.
• iTunes is slow — For most, this isn’t too much of an issue. But we’re a bit OCD when it comes to music, so we have large libraries above the 200 gigabyte mark and iTunes still really can’t handle them. Apple has the average user well under control when it comes to speed, but those of us who are edge cases still suffer through lags, jerky scrolling and everyone’s favorite, the spinning beach ball.

So, if iTunes is so flawed, why do we use it? The answer is simple — the iPhone. There are plenty of apps out there that can handle syncing music to your iPod, but if you want your iPhone/iPod updates, you’re stuck with iTunes.
If you aren’t locked in by the iPhone, check out some of the many alternatives out there. Songbird is currently our top pick for playback and discovering new music. If you’re on Linux, Amarok is a very nice app. Feel free to plug your top picks in the comments and be sure to add your iTunes gripes to the widget below.

[Locke]

Some of these issues are actually worse than the article makes them out to be. For one thing, the bloatware exists in most of Apple's installers, and is installed regardless of what you tell it to do. That's right, it inserts installation packages, registry keys, the works. Also, I can understand high system requirements for the Zune software because it's really really shiny, all sorts of eye candy and effects. But iTunes? It makes no sense. And Apple really has been out for the profits more than software, which I'm sure that most iSheep would say is what is wrong with MS, not their precious Apple. Guess what folks, they do it too.

[Matt]

this pretty much sums up why i got a zune and not an iPod

[Space Toast]

Meh. iTunes is a way, for me to get my music onto my iPod. Yes I have a Zune Also..
I buy no music on there. and all of my stuff is just fine.
though I agree with some of these.

[stkr]

I hope that this is a joke .

-It’s a store, stupid-

The fact that everything is integrated, in reference to the store, only makes the program easier to use for consumers. The Zune software is on it's way to doing the same thing and already is in many ways. When you search for an artist or album, it shows what's in your library as well as what is in the Zune Marketplace. Clicking 'More About -Insert Artist Name-' in the Zune Software does the exact same things as the arrows in iTunes. "feature updates have taken a back seat to iTunes Store feature updates"-That makes no sense. The 'feature updates' have not taken a back seat and for anyone who uses the program on a regular basis, it is obvious that this is not true. Besides, updates to the store only serve to improve the already great iPod/iTunes/iTunes Store integration. iTunes will often give background information on the artist on their main page on the store, as well as info and background on many of the albums available.

-The library manager is prehistoric-

Edit>Preferences>Advanced

You can choose whether or not iTunes organizes your music and video files. You can have them scattered across your harddrive, as many people do, or you can have the program make copies of files imported and store them neatly in their correct folders.

-No web browser/Wikipedia/anything-



Wrong. iTunes provides information for many of the albums that can be found on the store, as well as the artist or bands. It may not be as detailed as an entire wiki page, but it's something. Complaining that the program is slow, and then asking for bloat features such as this makes no sense.

-No plugin architecture-

I fail to see the relevance of this, since iTunes does pretty much everything very well in my eyes, but I won't claim that the point is moot because it doesn't effect me.

-Massive memory footprint-

What is 'Massive'? If you're having problems running your programs then you need to upgrade parts of your computer or the entire system. I have iTunes and the Zune Software running at the same time right now, with the Zune Software playing music and iTunes downloading music. iTunes is at 88,224 K and the Zune Software is at 86, 512, with all of the 'Premium' graphics turned off (if they were on it would be much higher). The amount of RAM that is needed depends on what you're doing in the program and like I said, if your computer is struggling to keep up, get a new one or upgrade.

-No support for other music formats Ogg/FLAC/etc.-

Same a no plug-in. Doesn't effect me. I don't see the problem with having .mp3 files, but I won't say that having more options is not important.

-Drag and Drop sucks -

In terms of adding files to the library? Don't want to drag-and-drop?

File>Add Folder to Library or Add File to Library

As for as adding songs to playlists...that's just lazy.

-Bloatware downloads-

'Yes, a lot of companies do this' Pretty much sums it up. If you don't want Apple Software Updates to check for updates, go to Edit> Preferences and set it to 'Never'. You can check or uncheck the updates and programs to choose which ones are installed or you can update iTunes and iTunes only through Help> Check For Updates.

-Can’t use iPod as a music transport with iTunes-

That's not fair at all considering the legal issues that would come up. iTunes will allow you to transfer purchased music to your computer, however, so long as it is authorized to play the content.

-iTunes is slow-

Refer back to 'Massive Memory Footprint'.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by stkr

I hope that this is a joke .
-The library manager is prehistoric-

Edit>Preferences>Advanced

You can choose whether or not iTunes organizes your music and video files. You can have them scattered across your harddrive, as many people do, or you can have the program make copies of files imported and store them neatly in their correct folders.

-No support for other music formats Ogg/FLAC/etc.-

Same a no plug-in. Doesn't effect me. I don't see the problem with having .mp3 files, but I won't say that having more options is not important.

-Drag and Drop sucks -

In terms of adding files to the library? Don't want to drag-and-drop?

File>Add Folder to Library or Add File to Library

As for as adding songs to playlists...that's just lazy.

-Bloatware downloads-

'Yes, a lot of companies do this' Pretty much sums it up. If you don't want Apple Software Updates to check for updates, go to Edit> Preferences and set it to 'Never'. You can check or uncheck the updates and programs to choose which ones are installed or you can update iTunes and iTunes only through Help> Check For Updates.

Alright, I've got a tiny bone to pick with these points.

You can turn it off, yes, but that doesn't mean that the file management doesn't have problems. WMP does a very nice job of balancing control and power, and its power features aren't enabled by default, which means that it won't mess with your files first and then let you fix it later. It is also very good at tracking files that move or change, and the tagging support is one of the best I've used, short of a dedicated tagging program.

Believe it or not, open source/lossless format support is pretty big outside of Apple's market. Apple profits off of their own lossy codec sales, which is why they haven't bothered expanding to the lossless market. But there's a big world out there, and Apple doesn't own it all, as much as they think/desire it to be so. Though I have to admit, support for such codecs is low among closed source/commerical ventures, WMP has support for FLAC and perhaps even .ogg, along with numerous easy to use codec packs to add this and so much more. This also ties in to plug-in support: if WMP has it, shouldn't a more sophisticated program like iTunes have it?

Again, when a feature is built into a software, it is designed to be used. If it's broken, it ought to be fixed. So having poor drag-and-drop support is an issue that needs to be addressed.


Read this: Apple continues to deceive users | Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise | Then tell me Apple is just like anyone else. This is worse that such infamous programs as Kazaa, which ask you if you want to install their packaged spyware. Apple asks, and then ignores you. No matter what is installed, safe or not, that's despicable. You can't say, "I don't want this" and then have them impose it on you. If spyware vendors ask before installing their products, surely Apple could be so gracious as to listen to you instead of forcing their plans on your computer. Forcing software on the end user is more than poor practise, it's just plain stupid.

[stkr]

Originally Posted by Locke

Alright, I've got a tiny bone to pick with these points.

You can turn it off, yes, but that doesn't mean that the file management doesn't have problems. WMP does a very nice job of balancing control and power, and its power features aren't enabled by default, which means that it won't mess with your files first and then let you fix it later. It is also very good at tracking files that move or change, and the tagging support is one of the best I've used, short of a dedicated tagging program.

Believe it or not, open source/lossless format support is pretty big outside of Apple's market. Apple profits off of their own lossy codec sales, which is why they haven't bothered expanding to the lossless market. But there's a big world out there, and Apple doesn't own it all, as much as they think/desire it to be so. Though I have to admit, support for such codecs is low among closed source/commerical ventures, WMP has support for FLAC and perhaps even .ogg, along with numerous easy to use codec packs to add this and so much more. This also ties in to plug-in support: if WMP has it, shouldn't a more sophisticated program like iTunes have it?

Again, when a feature is built into a software, it is designed to be used. If it's broken, it ought to be fixed. So having poor drag-and-drop support is an issue that needs to be addressed.


Read this: Apple continues to deceive users | Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise | Then tell me Apple is just like anyone else. This is worse that such infamous programs as Kazaa, which ask you if you want to install their packaged spyware. Apple asks, and then ignores you. No matter what is installed, safe or not, that's despicable. You can't say, "I don't want this" and then have them impose it on you. If spyware vendors ask before installing their products, surely Apple could be so gracious as to listen to you instead of forcing their plans on your computer. Forcing software on the end user is more than poor practise, it's just plain stupid.

But what 'problems' does it have? Not everyone will want their music organized the same exact way, which is why iTunes gives you the option to do it yourself. Turn the default system off and organize your files however you want. iTunes does a great job organizing music for me, while you say that it has problems. Whose to say who is right? No one, so if you don't like it just do it yourself.

As I said with plugins and more formats, neither of those issues effect me so I did not make any remarks for those points. I understand that others will have issues that I do not, so I did not make any comment.

The drag-and-drop feature is not crippled. It functions just as it is supposed to and iTunes even goes two steps further and allows you to add entire folders or single files to your library if you don't want to drag-and-drop. As far as I know, drag-and-drop is the only way to add files to your collection in the Zune software and is pretty much unavoidable if you're running Windows.

I already talked about their updating system. All of those programs are on my computer, except for Bonjour, which is how it should be.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by stkr

But what 'problems' does it have? Not everyone will want their music organized the same exact way, which is why iTunes gives you the option to do it yourself. Turn the default system off and organize your files however you want. iTunes does a great job organizing music for me, while you say that it has problems. Whose to say who is right? No one, so if you don't like it just do it yourself.

As I said with plugins and more formats, neither of those issues effect me so I did not make any remarks for those points. I understand that others will have issues that I do not, so I did not make any comment.

The drag-and-drop feature is not crippled. It functions just as it is supposed to and iTunes even goes two steps further and allows you to add entire folders or single files to your library if you don't want to drag-and-drop. As far as I know, drag-and-drop is the only way to add files to your collection in the Zune software and is pretty much unavoidable if you're running Windows.

I already talked about their updating system. All of those programs are on my computer, except for Bonjour, which is how it should be.

Programs like iTunes should not impose such force in file management from the start. If you like that, that's fine, but it's not good software design to needlessly impose things on the user. At least this one is fixable. However, even the Zune software, which loves to take so much control, does less to your files than iTunes. Is it really that hard for them to have those features off by defualt, and to have some sort of middle ground? Again, programs like WMP don't mess with your files until you tell it to. That's the way it should be.

Just because they don't affect you doesn't make them irrelevant. I know that you can't say much about them because you don't use these features, but they are still issues regardless, and things that Apple should rectify. That's what this article is, a list of issues in iTunes that ought to be rectified by Apple.

Well, I haven't ever installed iTunes on my own computer for a number of reasons-though I have used it on occasion on others'-so I can't really say whether it's broken or not. But if it is, as this article suggests, then it needs to be dealt with. If not, all the better for Apple.

Have you checked to see if they aren't installed? Dug through the OS a bit to find out where all this stuff hides? Even if it doesn't look like it's installed, there's still plenty of little pieces left everywhere, which is very very poor design. An installer ought to be more like is described here: How software installers should work | Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise |

[stkr]

Originally Posted by Locke

Programs like iTunes should not impose such force in file management from the start. If you like that, that's fine, but it's not good software design to needlessly impose things on the user. At least this one is fixable. However, even the Zune software, which loves to take so much control, does less to your files than iTunes. Is it really that hard for them to have those features off by defualt, and to have some sort of middle ground? Again, programs like WMP don't mess with your files until you tell it to. That's the way it should be.

Just because they don't affect you doesn't make them irrelevant. I know that you can't say much about them because you don't use these features, but they are still issues regardless, and things that Apple should rectify. That's what this article is, a list of issues in iTunes that ought to be rectified by Apple.

Well, I haven't ever installed iTunes on my own computer for a number of reasons-though I have used it on occasion on others'-so I can't really say whether it's broken or not. But if it is, as this article suggests, then it needs to be dealt with. If not, all the better for Apple.

Have you checked to see if they aren't installed? Dug through the OS a bit to find out where all this stuff hides? Even if it doesn't look like it's installed, there's still plenty of little pieces left everywhere, which is very very poor design. An installer ought to be more like is described here: How software installers should work | Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise |

The only thing that iTunes is going to do, if you allow it to because you do have the choice, is organize your songs in folders according to artists and then albums. Anything else that is done, such as editing metadata, must be done by the user in the program. iTunes isn't going to mess with your files unless to tell it to, or if you do it yourself through the program.

Half of these, as I've stated, aren't real issues and most of these 'issues' occur in the Zune software as well.

"Well, I haven't ever installed iTunes on my own computer for a number of reasons-though I have used it on occasion on others'-so I can't really say whether it's broken or not."

So you don't even use the program? Come on...that's like complaining about the President, but not voting when election time comes around. You need to use the program extensively before you sit around criticize it. Many people never take the time to look at the options provided with the program, and you get articles like this.

I checked when you posted the link.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by stkr

The only thing that iTunes is going to do, if you allow it to because you do have the choice, is organize your songs in folders according to artists and then albums. Anything else that is done, such as editing metadata, must be done by the user in the program. iTunes isn't going to mess with your files unless to tell it to, or if you do it yourself through the program.

Half of these, as I've stated, aren't real issues and most of these 'issues' occur in the Zune software as well.

"Well, I haven't ever installed iTunes on my own computer for a number of reasons-though I have used it on occasion on others'-so I can't really say whether it's broken or not."

So you don't even use the program? Come on...that's like complaining about the President, but not voting when election time comes around. You need to use the program extensively before you sit around criticize it. Many people never take the time to look at the options provided with the program, and you get articles like this.

I checked when you posted the link.

But what is the default? And that's also only part of the issue:

And how is it that after seven and a half releases, iTunes still isn’t smart enough to automatically detect when we’ve dropped new music in our library folder?

If they occur in the Zune software, shouldn't MS be dealing with them as well? Just because the competitor has the same problems doesn't make them fine. I'm not partial.

I have used the program and rather despised it. And really stkr, ad hominem arguements don't behoove you. Regardless of whether or not I know the in's and out's of the programs, does that make my points any less valid? Does that change the problems at all? It means nothing. I was planning on installing it when iTunes 8 came out, until I found out that it blue screened computers and installed all kinds of bloatware. I didn't want to install something on my computer that would invite system instability, it's not worth it, especially if it is going to try to compete with the Zune software from the very start.

Well lucky you. I installed Quicktime and found that Bonjour has somehow magically popped up as well. I uninstalled Quicktime and Bonjour and did a thourough check to remove any other leftover bloat.

[runtohell121]

itunes do suck.. but zune marketplace do suck also in my opinion-.- both of them suck.. i prefer regular drag and drop mp3 players

[stkr]

Originally Posted by Locke

But what is the default? And that's also only part of the issue:


If they occur in the Zune software, shouldn't MS be dealing with them as well? Just because the competitor has the same problems doesn't make them fine. I'm not partial.

I have used the program and rather despised it. And really stkr, ad hominem arguements don't behoove you. Regardless of whether or not I know the in's and out's of the programs, does that make my points any less valid? Does that change the problems at all? It means nothing. I was planning on installing it when iTunes 8 came out, until I found out that it blue screened computers and installed all kinds of bloatware. I didn't want to install something on my computer that would invite system instability, it's not worth it, especially if it is going to try to compete with the Zune software from the very start.

Well lucky you. I installed Quicktime and found that Bonjour has somehow magically popped up as well. I uninstalled Quicktime and Bonjour and did a thourough check to remove any other leftover bloat.

I honestly don't care at all what you think 'behooves' me since you're just someone that I know on the Internet, but for the sake of staying on topic:

"Regardless of whether or not I know the in's and out's of the programs, does that make my points any less valid?"

Yes, it does . If you haven't used to program extensively, especially the latest versions, then arguing against it is just silly. Let me know when you have downloaded and used the latest version for a few weeks. All of my points still stand.

"Well lucky you."

Thanks .

"And how is it that after seven and a half releases, iTunes still isn’t smart enough to automatically detect when we’ve dropped new music in our library folder?"

This I have no answer for and I do think that it should've been added quite a while back for those who do manually organize their music. Since I allow iTunes to properly organize my music, this isn't an issue for me.

[phmoschetta]

iTunes 8 is a bit better. But I don't think we should compare iTunes to the Zune Software. Yeah, right, iTunes is the sync software for the iPod, and the Zune software, for the Zune, obviously... And they're both rivals.

But I think they're different programs, and iTunes should be compared to the Windows Media Player instead.

Anyway... Windows Media Player 11 is much better, and I love my Zune, so I won't argue with it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by stkr

I honestly don't care at all what you think 'behooves' me since you're just someone that I know on the Internet, but for the sake of staying on topic:

"Regardless of whether or not I know the in's and out's of the programs, does that make my points any less valid?"

Yes, it does . If you haven't used to program extensively, especially the latest versions, then arguing against it is just silly. Let me know when you have downloaded and used the latest version for a few weeks. All of my points still stand.

"Well lucky you."

Thanks .

"And how is it that after seven and a half releases, iTunes still isn’t smart enough to automatically detect when we’ve dropped new music in our library folder?"

This I have no answer for and I do think that it should've been added quite a while back for those who do manually organize their music. Since I allow iTunes to properly organize my music, this isn't an issue for me.

Well, unless you plan to run some sort of Turing test we can assume I'm another person, just like you. And since we can assume I'm a person and you are a person, we should treat each other accordingly.

Did you happen to see the reasoning for why I haven't tested it myself? It is unstable and can leave behind junk on my computer that I don't want. That's like asking someone to install Kazaa to verify if it damages your computer. People have done it before, and it hurt their computers, there's no reason to assume that the same thing won't happen elsewhere. I realize the the blue screen issue has been patched up since, but knowning Apple's record-for a short time they had a known Windows virus packaged with iTunes-I'm not inclined to touch their software if I don't need it. And I've found alternatives to needing it.

In short:
-There is a lack of functionality that belongs in the program
-There are certain features which may be buggy and not work properly
-The software installer violates some of the fundamental rules of how an installer should work.
-There are some issues shared among iTunes and it's competitors that need to be adressed

[stkr]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well, unless you plan to run some sort of Turing test we can assume I'm another person, just like you. And since we can assume I'm a person and you are a person, we should treat each other accordingly.

Did you happen to see the reasoning for why I haven't tested it myself? It is unstable and can leave behind junk on my computer that I don't want. That's like asking someone to install Kazaa to verify if it damages your computer. People have done it before, and it hurt their computers, there's no reason to assume that the same thing won't happen elsewhere. I realize the the blue screen issue has been patched up since, but knowning Apple's record-for a short time they had a known Windows virus packaged with iTunes-I'm not inclined to touch their software if I don't need it. And I've found alternatives to needing it.

In short:
-There is a lack of functionality that belongs in the program
-There are certain features which may be buggy and not work properly
-The software installer violates some of the fundamental rules of how an installer should work.
-There are some issues shared among iTunes and it's competitors that need to be adressed

I never claimed that you weren't important or a person. I just said that your opinion of me is not significant.

It's not unstable . Programs have errors. It happens all the time and saying that you're going to stay away from iTunes simply because of that is stupid. I'm sure that you will get errors from Microsoft on your OS, but you still use it. The errors have been few and far inbetween, and haven't even effected everyone. The Zune has had plenty of errors and you haven't had a problem using it. The virus that was shipped with iPods was fixed very quickly, as was the issue with iTunes that caused the BSOD for some people.

In short:
-There is a lack of functionality that belongs in the program
-There are certain features which may be buggy and not work properly

Same can be said for the Zune Software, especially for me since my device barely works as it is and the software isn't much better.

-There are some issues shared among iTunes and it's competitors that need to be adressed

I can agree with that . My point is that most of these 10 points are invalid and trying to say they aren't is pointless. As I said before, let me know when you have used the latest version for a while.

[Dragonite]

Remember back in the day where we just dragged music into the mp3 player and we were on our way..?

Yeah..
I never liked itunes. It froze up on me often =/
And I was on a mac... and there was 7 songs.

[yensed]

A huge chunk of my reason for going back to the iPod was so I could use iTunes again. Ill be the first to admit, iTunes needs a tuneup. Especially for Vista X64. But when it comes to the basics and some of the more advanced stuff its The Best - For Me. I still hate the Zune Software.

[Vogue]

Foobar2000 > all.

iTunes is in the running with some classic programs like MusicMatch Jukebox and Real Player for WORST MUSIC MANAGING CLIENTS EVER.

[ChurchedAtheist]

Originally Posted by Vogue

Foobar2000 > all.

iTunes is in the running with some classic programs like MusicMatch Jukebox and Real Player for WORST MUSIC MANAGING CLIENTS EVER.

realplayer.... how i hate thee. it feels like it was coded by the cockpimple of the worst coder ever, then gangbanged by puke, spyware, and anal bleeding.

[J2800]

I use itunes, as I find it preferable to the even slower Zune software. But I am impressed now that 3.0 is out, it seems to run faster than iTunes. What annoys me the most about itunes is that you can't directly convert store purchases into mp3s to use on zune.