I get a number of dependency problems with various software that I try to install from the application manager or from the maemo.org website. I googled and found a discussion on another forum that a user had a similar problem and some one responded that they probably don't have the most recent OS2008 but that was the end of it. So I am thinking maybe I have an old OS, but I don't see any place to know what is the most recent OS and how to get it and how to install it, I see something for reflashing to OS2008 on the maemo download page but it doesn't say what version or if this is how I should update it .

According to my n810 in 'control panel' under 'about product', it says it has OS2008 version 1.2007.42-19.

Applications I have tried to install were asking for versions of bluez-utils, and various libhildon libraries.

Also I've played with the SDK a bit and the latest version says Chinook, but I have no idea what version of the OS that represents.

You need to upgrade. 51-3 is the latest.

Google: flash maemo <your OS here>

You should update the firmware, that should solve your installation problems (it did on my N810).

I've done a step-by-step tutorial (including videos) on how to update tablet firmware:

http://tabletschool.blogspot.com/200...-firmware.html

Incidentally, doesn't it seem a bit weird that the N810 had problems installing many apps straight out of the box during its launch period?

I'm not even talking about obscure apps, it wouldn't install Skype for example until I updated the firmware.

Skype is one of the main ways Nokia markets the tablet to casual users, surely they should have tested it with Skype before allowing that firmware version to ship with the N810?

The Skype people aren't known for their intelligence. :\ The software pretty much sucks whatever way you look at it.

Actually, Skype worked fine on a out of the box Nokia N810 when I tried to install prior to the new OS release for OS2008.

But after the latest firmware, I guess Skype was also updated to support the new firmware. But as the N810 boxes comes with the prior firmware versions, the new Skype does not install on it unless the firmware is also updated.

Ideally, Nokia should start shipping new boxes of N810 with the new latest version of OS2008 already flashed. Then there would be no issue with installing the new Skype version.

That's called painting with a broad brush !

People == developers

I'd recommend gizmo over skype, it has video and it works well for me.
The call quality on skype in the UK seems to be pants (maybe an ISP thing - don't know [don't care ;-)] )
Calling Dubai, the USofA.
Also my parents love the fact they can see their grandkids. And now my inlaws have my old n800 we are all one gizmo connected family
(Of course when the n900 comes out, my wife will have my n810! - Any excuse to buy new toys I guess!)

Oh! and it supports freebie asterisk accounts, which is a sweetner.

The originating group of developers are actually rather brilliant and came up with one of the fastest p2p communication protocols. Once the closed-source version of Skype opened up, it went a tad downhill with every kid releasing their own client. I don't recall specifically whether or not the n810 client is put out by Skype themselves or not. All I know is the official Skype client runs like a champ on most desktops/laptops without issue.

I don't think grouping Skype as terrible/sucky is the way of going about it either -- since by doing so you're now discounting every client released as well as the API (which is all Skype is anymore). Could it stand improvement? Yes. However, it works for me and I haven't had an issue with it.

It's the same thing as saying "AIM sucks" -- the client, the Pidgin plugin, or the protocol?

As far as the n810 is concerned, it looks more like a glitch from Nokia's end on this one. Especially by not flashing all new devices with the latest firmware. Flash the device and it'll install, cause that's how I went about getting it installed.