Using an FM Transmitter for the Car Radio

So last week we took the "other" car to Portland. VW did not seem to have aux inputs for their radios in 2004--but I suggested we just stop at a close-by Fred Meyer and I would pick up an FM transmitter made to broadcast to a "dead" spot on the radio dial--problem solved!
We like to listen to audio books when on the road. They help to pass the time on long drives. So I purchased a Belkin something or other for $30 that would keep itself powered using the cigarette lighter plug.
We got in the car and I knew immediately there was a problem. I found a REALLY dead spot on the dial, and set the transmitter to that frequency. You could barely hear the Zune HD, and static would cut in and out. Needless to say this did not allow one to keep any attention span on the story for any reasonable time. I tried putting the transmitter all places within the 3 ft. of the lighter (which was the length of cord provided.) Nothing ever worked.
If you buy one of these babies, make sure you can take it back. I think I can--I've just not taken the time yet.
Next trip will be in the car with the MP3 plug.

Podcasts and How to Manage 'em

Well, I subscribe to a podcast and Zune seems to take great advantage of that.

To set it up, first in the software I clicked on "settings" (on top of the screen towards the right), then for "podcasts" down the left column. From there I selected:
a. All episodes
b. Oldest episodes first

I decided that if I went new to old on episodes, I would be constantly clicking down the screen on Zune. And I picked "all episodes" because I wanted new ones to always download, and not shut off just because I hadn't listened the last week or so.

To set up the actual podcast , I went to the software section and selected "Podcast". In the lower left is


When I clicked on that I had to enter the location of the podcast (rss...etc.) and then the usual id/password for the podcast. That kicked it off. Episodes began downloading to my computer to the default location. When I hooked up the Zune, it began to download the episodes to the Zune. Also back on the software section I checked the "series settings" (lower right) and made sure it was set to:
"Sync all unplayed and partially played episodes". This allowed for the downloads to take place automagically once they'd been placed on my computer. Both audio and video podcasts automatically downloaded--


After awhile I ended up with a lot of "extra" episodes--these were when the usual host went on vacation. I found a quick way to delete the extra episodes (note these do not delete them from the computer, or in the Zune software on the computer).
What you do is when you have the list of podcast episodes in the Zune HD, touch the Zune until the episode line "lights up", and you will see (before and after):

Then just select "Delete" and the next time you sync, that episode will be gone. Not bad!

Seemed quite a bit simpler than the ITunes instructions for the podcast:
Rush 24-7 ITunes podcast info