I Just Want A Download!
Imagine the scenario, you browse to a site to download a particular piece of software for your home electronic device and instead of the simple 3-click principle, you are redirected to other sites and a miriad of options, menues and irelevant stuff.
Let’s say the device was a Sony MZ-N707 Net MD Walkman and I was looking for drivers and software to use it with my PC. Let’s say that over the years Sony has failed to understand what its customers were telling them: Your websites are dreadful and your service stinks! Although I doubt that you can get clearer than that, it would probably help to actually follow in my footsteps.
The task: Find drivers and software for the Sony MZ-N707 Net MD Walkman to record CD’s on to MD using your Windows XP PC and Sony’s website(s).
As you’ll no doubt find out very quickly, non of the main Sony sites wants to deal with you and rather refers you by means of new window to a sister site. Once you’ve finally arrived at a local site (in my case UK) that deals with Sony’s mobile consumer electronics, you think you’ve just spent the last hour wading through mud. The last mile doesn’t look too bad and it should be plain sailing from here on. Select downloads, model, software… oh crap, what’s that? You click on Sonic Stage and you’ll get a list of support questions, pages of it! All I wanted was a download 
When you read through the texts you’ll probably find the link to the actual software but I just could not bear making myself so upset I start to swear, curse and beat up my keyboard. That’s Sony for you. Be it online or in real life (i.e. service / support hotline), Sony sucks. Some of their products may be great but if you dare to look for support or service you will quickly find you are on your own.
Tip: Adam L suggest using the basic Real player to bypass Sony’s malware using this nifty function:
[quote]In Real Player go to ‘Burn/Transfer’ then ‘Add New Device’ and select ‘NetMD’[/quote]
Although this trick might work fine for some it’s still troublesome as RealPlayer is a real pain the behind too. Take my advise and record using the mic/line input or digital input through your computers sound card. You’ll have to edit your tracks manually (i.e. title, etc) but it’s easier and quicker than messing about with Real or Sony malware!
