Should I keep it or not?
 

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and this is my first post. My question to you all is,
My wife ordered me a n810 for christmas, but I am not very good with computers. I thought that it looked fun to have but then after searching the internet I came across this website. After reading this website I am starting to wonder if this device is even for me.
All I read is bad things about the device. Like one, I also got the motorola s9 bluetooth head phones and all I hear is that can't pair correctly. Then I hear that there are programs that need to be downloaded to do musis (mplayer) and other things which all seem to be hard to understand to get it all to work right. I guess maybe it is because I have never used it but I am wondering why should I keep this 400 dollar product and not return it for my money back?
So I guess what I am asking is can people post why I should keep it and maybe talk me into it. Because it seems hard to get it set up to work right.

Thanks,
Bobby

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Everyone has different priorities as to what they'd like in a device. In my opinion you'll love the N810 as long as you're not looking for a traditional PDA. No device will meet everyone's needs, but the N810 would come close for me (I have an N800).

You need to install a few programs to make the full use of the device, but it is usable out of the box for music and video. The programs I'd recommend trying before you decide to get rid of it are:

* Adblock Plus to remove internet ads (makes browsing much nicer)
* Maemo Mapper (to suplement the built in GPS app.)
* FBReader (eBook reader)
* Canola2 + MPlayer.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Thanks for replying so fast.
I guess what I am looking at doing on this thing is internet, videos, music and chatting back and forth with other tablets and PCs. Ive been reading these forums for days and all I see is you need this program and that program and then I read that people have problems with them.
Thanks for posting programs you recommend to get for it.
For what I am looking at using the device for what all do you or anyone else reading this post recommend I download for my n810. Please post them...

Thanks again,
Bobby

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

That's too bad about the moto S9's.
As far as programs - it's got a built in media player that works with my stereo BT headset.
It depends on what else you want for your $400, but the 810 is a powerful PDA with GPS and quirks.

Quirks I've seen:
GPS takes a while to fire off if you are moving or a long ways from where it was last used.
Camera is close to useless except for video chat
Relatively undocumented hooking it up to a thumb drive (basically needs a $6 adapter)
Sometimes it takes a bit of time to see my shared drives on other computers in my house.

Basic
Storage is expensive - I'm going to try to hook up a 250Gb external drive, but I need another power supply.
Needs a screen protector.

What it does well:
A very well powered PDA with a lot of user support. PDF compatibility, good wireless, good BT, easy to read screen.

I've been using PDA type devices since 1998 and this kicks butt on them all.

Still looking for the teleport key.

Oh - and how can we get a wife like yours? You lucky dog!!

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Get WiFinfo tells you your net strength
For your other wants it's all built in, the problem is that there are also many other alternative programs that may have better features for you.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

My wife is korean, and not the mail order type. Just hella cool.:cool:

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Advice from a non Techie. Keep it . I've had an N800 for 7 months and it works great. I think it's a good idea to stick with the basics until you uderstand whats going on. Don't try any beta or new updates untill they get the bugs out.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Whether it's right for you is up to you... but keep in mind you stumbled here just when something new came out and people aren't inclined to show up to say "Hey, I love it!", rather "This piece of #$&**&#$ doesn't #*$*&$# work, #*$&*#$!!!". Then their problem gets fixed and we never hear from them again. We exist to serve. :)

(No, seriously. For what you say you wanna use it for, I think you'll like it a lot. You don't have to dive in head first and do crazy stuff with it but if you get bored the option is there.)

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

the n800 and n810 will do this right out of the box.

no need to install other application.

BUT the other applications will enhance the tablet a lot. making it a fully expandable device. something you may look at later when you fully understand the potential of having a full featured computer in your pocket.

by the way, the n800/n810 will give you a complete internet browser; NOT a mobile watered down version of internet. it's not a phone and not an ipod.

mine host 2 movies for the kids when we are stuck in hospital. numerous games to help them in a waiting room and WIFI for internet when we finaly get a room (if there's an open router around the hospital.)

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Sounds like it is starting to be a keeper. I guess that I can keep the original applications on it. But are there any particular ones that I should put on it when I get it. For instance I was reading about pilgin and carnola 2 I think its called and UKMP with mplayer. Things like that.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Was reading about the n95 8gb. Is this similiar to the n810 as with internet browsing and chatting?

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Only you can decide. I will say that the N800 has seamlessly worked its way into my life better than any other computing device I've ever had. The price was right for me, and the new OS2008 has added an incredible jump in usability and functionality. And, this is the corporate and open source community at its best. Plus, not having to carry a laptop while being away from the office or running errands is a huge deal for me. Plus I can Skype and it plays my tunes! And now the ability to listen to more internet content is icing on the cake. The good news is that new programs and capabilities will continually be created and added.

Hedgecore is right in that people will say what they think and try to find solutions to problems on a forum like this. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Due to all the excellent information on this site...I have been using a N770 for a few months and ordered the N810, due any day now!!, and have tried just about everything I have seen posted...from booting off the MMC to all the 'cool' programs...I found the SSH from my PC, video, music, skype (yes on the N770) and other items to be FUN to learn about. I was an Unix Sys Admin in the early 90's and have been Windows focused from the mid-90's. Old dogs can re-learn and it has been very entertaining. If you just use it "as is" it is a very powerful and useful item. Adding the SSH and Skype to the N770 made it a 'tool' also. I am looking forward to the N810 and see how much better it is. BTW, Santa also brought me a N82...I used my Treo 650 with the N770 before and am looking forward to using the N82 with the N810. The 3 day GPS trial usages was nice to see it was not worth the $150 3yr lic as google maps works great on the N82 and I have tomtom on the Treo which out does the Nokia mostly due to the typing in of the locations...I did order a keyboard for the N82 so will also try that out, yet the TomTom on the Treo (also have the TomTom 920) is just to easy to use compared to the Nokia maps. Have not been able to get the N770 to work with the N770...to low on the 'to-do' list as I have so many GPS systems...<g>...Watching movies on the N82 is cool, yet on the N770 is so much better, yet a single device that has a FM, Camera, GPS, FREE VOIP, MP3, photo to web and viewing, Movies, TV downloads, etc...Oh..and is a cell phone so I do not have to take out the N770/N810 all the time is awesome....I do agree that due to all the NEW items a lot of "issues" have taken the focus from all the "way cool" items..you just have to spend time reading past the "negative" put in some time (I have spent about 40 hours reading playing) and you will have a device that hums and out does anything I know of (for the price for sure). I have had a few plane travels and the N770 was outstanding as for the 6 plus hours watched a movie and listen to my music and still had power left....

Good Luck...

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Thanks all who have responded to my dilemma. I am glad that I registered at this site. By far the most helpful place that I have registered with for consumer product support outside the manufacturers websites.
Still reading the forums for products do's and dont's and starting to understand how most of this stuff works. Still not sure of what programs that I should get when I get my n810.
I know that I need:
-Adblock Plus
-Maemo Mapper for GPS Update
-Canola2 + Mplayer
- Pidgin (I think I need this.)
-WifiInfo (Still searching for link on that one on internet.)
-UKMP (I think I need this.)

And im not sure what this is Python2.5 but do I need it for what I want to use the n810 for.

These are just things that I would like to add as soon as I get used to using the
n810, not something that I will jump into right away. But knowing me as soon as I get it I will probably install all these things as soon as I learn how to do it.

Thanks,
Bobby

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Lethal: I'd recommend Pidgin as the #1 non-out-of-the-box app. It's MSN, ICQ, AIM, etc. all in one (kind of like Trillian for Windows). The install isn't very hard, though after adding the repository (if you need help with that once you get it, just ask) you'll have to install the app and individual protocols for each IM program. No biggie tho.

For an N810 you shouldn't need UKMP. From what I understand a lot of people used this 'cause it came with UKTUBE (which let you download Flash movies and play it on the 770). Otherwise it's just a media player. For that kinda stuff you can use Canola (which is really slick) and uses mplayer (I think) which'll play most of your stuff.

I'm lookin forward to seeing what you say about it when you get it. (Apparently GPS sucks but people have been saying that's a software issue.)

The biggest thing to remember is that it does a lot of things a laptop can do, a lot of things a phone can do, and a lot of things a PDA can do... but it doesn't do them as well in a lot of areas. So long as you don't set the bar too high and realize you've got 'em all in one package, you're set dude. Hell, I'm still sitting on a 770 here two years later.

Cheers,
Hedge

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

wifiinfo
http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2007/wifiinfo/

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Python is a interpretted (non compiled) programming language - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_...mming_language)

Many programs that you download for the the Nokia are actually python programs and therefore need the interpretter (Python v2.5) to run. There are various graphic extension libraries which mean you can't usually tell it's not a natively compiled program.

Normally python will be installed at the time the first application that needs it is installed, but it wouldn't hurt to install the Python2.5-runtime 'application' as soon as you get your N810.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

A more general response.

Don't worry too much about installing applications or things being too technical. I'm sure you'll get a hang of the device really quick and the majority of apps are an easy install (settings > application manager). The app set will broaden when more get updated.

Like Hedgecore said, you joined when the new OS 2008 came out. Nokia's single server system (or whatever obsolete thing they're running the the internet tablet files stuff on) couldn't handle the load, which meant delays in updating and getting the newest versions of apps. Which in turned caused a lot of OMG this is not working threads ... and then some more seasoned people to reply snippy "this has been asked before ... I'm ..." There's also been a few that jumped on the firesale N800 prices that had some really high expectations that won't be met for another 10 years. So, ignore all that stuff. Things are getting back to normal.

Both N800 & N810 are very capable devices. They're not perfect (we all have dreams & wishes) but present a very nice balance. I've certainly done a lot of stuff with my N800 and used as my little tether to the web when I'm not taking my laptop. I've held the N810 and would be happy to own one. You can't compare it to a laptop or UMPC, but they're very nice compact devices with a surprisingly long battery life and a really good screen (800x480) I've seen other expensive devices with smaller resolutions (Apple cough) and to me their browsing experience is far less because the pixels aren't there or it is a closed platform. Been there done that.

I also think that most IT owners are happy owners, so, I am quite confident you'll like the N810 as a secondary or tertiary device.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

There are people on this forum whose glass is half empty and there are those whose glass is half full. Also some take this whole tablet thing way too seriously.

These device are designed to be usable out of the box. You'll be able to do many things without ever adding a single 3rd party repository. On the other hand many folks here are Linux geeks that want to either experiment or they get kick out of making the device do something it wasn't "designed" to do. That does push the whole concept forward but it doesn't mean everyone needs to do it. The use cases that Nokia develops the device and software around are suppose to be those of a "regular" consumer.

The price to functionality ratio is better then any other device currently available, you just have to figure out what is it you're gonna be using it for. Once you realize what the device can do you'll have a lot of fun with it.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Sounds to me like you probably should NOT keep it. I will take it off your hands (at a small loss).

Seriously, it is a KEEPER. Experiment with it. You'll learn alot and learn/grow to love it.

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Just got my N810 a few days ago.

And allowing for the repositry "experience" (perfect timing), I think it's a keeper.

At least for the short term. Hardware is great. But software is the key...

Browser is great, especially with 800 x 480.

Video Playback ok (shame you have to convert)

Lack of PIM and no Outlook sync. is a major iritation, but looking at google to save the day. It is an internet tablet...

Really impressed with Maemo Mapper.

I am concerned at the fact that the number of apps available on maemo.org seams to have a downward trend as you go from OS2006 to OS2007 and then OS2008. Though the latter is new of course...

Zuber

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Actually, thats an interesting question. Any explanation as to why there are more apps. under 2006 than 2007 ?

I understand OS2008 is new, but I would have hoped that the 2007 release would have gained substantially over the previous release.

I'm sure the N810 will be ok, but should I be looking forward to an OS 2009 or is that planning too long term.

I'm hoping I've backed a winner, not boarded the ship just as others have started abandoning it...

Zuber

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

Because OS2006 has been out since summer 2006 and has had much more time for people to program for (also, a lot of 770 owners still).

But, really, it's because most of the OS2006 applications are crappy, buggy, broken half-ports. ;)

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

One of the biggest problems I've seen as to software ports is that the IT is greatly supported by freelance developers who got substantial discounts on the new tablet, but they are just barely getting them in hand!!
Thus you've got an eager community waiting to port and develop BUT(T) just as they get their heavily discounted development tool it's the holiday(s).

Take a break, wait till Groundhog's day. (Feb 2nd).

And developers - Have a happy holiday!!

Re: Should I keep it or not?
 

I am not so surprisd that there are more 2006 apps then 2007
It has been around longer of course but I clearly remember when the N800 and OS2007 came out and was incompatible with 2006/770's there were a lot of hobbyist developers that were quite bitter about the break and swore they were not going to redo/port their work.
Now we have another break and we are going to lose more apps by those who have lost interest in developing and have left. Hopefully old apps will be recompiled by someone for the community but my obervation on open source is that there are a few who do the actuall coding and the greater number that just wait to have it done for them for free and of course complain at great lengths about the bugs they find..