After some initial aggravation and then some quality hands on time, I have my long overdue first thoughts on the Zune.

I guess, being it is “The Social” I should share my Zune web address, just in case you wanted to see what I have been listeing to.

http://social.zune.net/member/areyouageek

Now, moving on, I was able to get my Windows DRM issues resolved and transferred my Zune setup from the temporary setup on my Mini-Note to the desktop computer where I plan to use it on a regular basis.

The fix was not hard, and quite honestly I am more aggravated at tech support for not being able to resolve it or at least point me in a better direction, because after some online research this seems to be a fairly common issue, both with the Zune Marketplace as well as some other Windows DRM based music services.

The fix required me to…

Open a Windows folder and go to Tools > Folder Options. Once there I had to click on the View tab and check the circle for “Show hidden files and folders,” I also had to un-check the box just below that for “Hide protected operating system files.”

By doing this it allowed me to navigate to “C:\” then “Documents and Settings” then “All Users.” Once in All Users I was able to see my DRM folder, which simply had to be renamed to DRMbackup. After that I did a quick restart and everything was back and able to be downloaded and played, just like magic.

Of course I still feel that Windows DRM sucks, but remember I am a Mac guy.

So since I have begun to the Zune I can honestly say that I truly like it. Both as a player and also as a subscription service.

I have always had an interest in a subscription based service and used Napster for a while, but always felt that paying for the subscription was a waste of money and preferred buying and owning my music. However I just recently came to realization that I already pay for a subscription service and have no option of what I listen to. Its called satellite radio, I am, and have been a Sirius subscriber for years now and never minded paying for that, so what is the difference with the Marketplace? In my opinion — nothing, at least this way I get to listen to and choose a little more specifically what I listen to. First good, positive point for me.

Moving on I want to touch on the headphones, the ones that ship with the Zune 80 are “Premium” and honestly I have no idea what makes them premium, but can say that they are really nice. As compared to the Apple earbuds they are much more comfortable and in my personal opinion have a much better sound quality also. My only disappointment with them is that I cannot use them in my iPhone without a special adapter, but that is just an iPhone issue and nothing that is wrong with the headphones themselves. The magnet that holds to two earbuds together is also (albeit really useless) but still a neat little option. Second good, positive point for me.

Well I have rambled enough for now, more Zune thoughts on the player itself and Marketplace to follow shortly.