i keep trying to like this thing
 

and I just cant. everytime i get this idea that i can use it to do something, it finds a way to fail.

software crashes, stupid interface, no task bar, its SLOW, cant do youtube, no error correcting typing (im faster on T9 by a long shot), dissapearing bluetooth icon at the top, constant freezing. you know how this thing could be useful? have a charger port on it so it can charge my Nokia 6131 phone that is actually useful.

sorry, just venting. such a useless device. at least on windows i can crtl+alt+del when it decides to have a stupid moment.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

did you upgrade to the latest firmware? doing so could some a number of issues you're facing.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Sell the stupid thing and get something even stupider "Windows Mobile" :P
And if you do ill buy it :D

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I gave up trying and am in the process of offering mine for sale on this forum. :) Got a Nokia N95 and could not be happier. Well, a bit if the GPS module was better, but other than that no complaints.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I love blanket condemnations. I guess all the people that the device works for are lying. ;)

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

If I were going to buy one (I'm happy with the N800 I have!) I certainly wouldn't buy one from someone who chimes in with me too! after someone says his N800 is always freezing and crashing.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

software crashes: out of memory, strange software installs, old firmware?
stupid interface: in some ways yes, if you muck around there is a way to run kde or rox...but then, some would consider that a stupid interface for a 4" screen.
no task bar: it is on the left below the menu icon, in addition to that there is a double arrow that brings up a task list, below the taskbar.
no "error correcting typing": lern 2 spele (train your autocomplete with properly spelled words..)
disappearing bluetooth icon at top: not having this problem, even in itos2007/770 (is anyone else?).
ctrl-alt-del: install the load applet, it has a task list that you can use to kill rampant processes.

as far as preferring a 6131 over a 770/800...thats just silly. two different animals for two different purposes.

just remember, these things have more in common with a linksys wrt54gs than a cell phone..

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

In fairness, the disappearing BT icon on the N800 is a well-known and documented bu^H^H feature. While on the 770, if the user disables BT, the icon merely greys out, on the N800 it vanishes completely, requiring a trip to the Control Panel every time one wants to re-activate it. It's blooming annoying, not to mention one of the most stupid "design" decisions I've ever encountered. Especially as all the Nokia geniuses had to do was copy the community BT plugin that works as it should.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

But wasn't the Bluetooth icon disappearing trick fixed (at least partially) in 3.2007.10-7, hence the question from luketoh in comment #2? It does sound like the OP is running old firmware.

I agree the BT icon behaviour is not ideal, but improved slightly with the latest firmware.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Yes, the bluetooth icon disappearing was fixed in the latest firmware. It hasn't disappeared once since, even across reboots/shutdowns.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

You're talking about a different "feature", the one where the N800 "forgot" if BT was enabled between reboots. I'm talking about the BT icon disappearing from the menu bar if the user selects to disable BT. On the 770 the icon stayed on the menubar, greyed out, and BT could be re-enabled from that same icon. On the N800 I have to go through Control Panel every f*cking time. For no reason whatsoever besides Nokia's stupidity.

I'm running the latest firmware on my N800.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

the error correcting is mainly for the thumb keyboard. t9 requires me to type the letters (1 of 3) in order to figure out what im typing. but if i was typing the actual letters with a thumbpad, couldnt the thing be smart enough to figure out that "stupd tablet" was supposed to be "stupid tablet"?

i also have a large issue with the popup keyboard. the "back" key is often confused with the "delete" key, and i hit it by mistake many times. also, it will remember the first part of an email address, soon as i type "@" it forgets everything else. i ALWAYS have to type in HOTMAIL.COM or something, never remembers it in the dictionary.

another issue I have is the top zoom buttons. i dont always want to zoom, why not give me the option of using those keys to switch tasks (like a sidekick).

there are many devices out there with greater logic involved. why doesnt Nokia partner with Google or something, im sure google wouldnt mind porting a gmail app or a special edition google maps.

what gets me is this. if I need to find a business, then its phone #, I can do it disgustingly fast on my little old Nokia 6131.

here was a funny one. im in file manager, i can hold the stylus on a file, have a choice of "send to email / send to bluetooth". Lets say I open the picture, then goto my options, I only have "send to email".

also, why cant we have an opening screen where I can have large, finger sized buttons, kinda like a PSP, Wii, Media Center, etc so the unit could be operated mainly by finger. ive been able to create a homepage with buttons large enough for fingers that have all my website shortcuts.

lastly, and this one is also funny. when the browser loads, it goes to my homepage (its on a memory card), but if i go "Navigation > Homepage" it takes me right back to the N800.html or whatever the default is.

does two things right that ive found: internet radio & long battery life.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I suspect we might be seeing more folks who don't like the device/UI in the near future. Nokia is advertising it in the US and making a quick reference to open source, while saying nothing about the OS.

Glen

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

The only freeze I have encountered on my 770 is an occasional one for about 20 seconds using FBreader. Unfortunately this is my most frequently used app, as I am a voracious in-bed reader, but I can put up with it because the large screen is easy on these aging eyes.

Glen

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Oh well, the device isn't for everyone. I have my uses which make it indespensible to me. 4/5 is what I would give it in a review.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Great post. Probably sums it up the best.

The N800 is not for everyone. For the most part it appears more appealing to the guys that do not mind or have the time to get down and dirty with it. Those that do not have the desire to learn the ins and outs, or who do not have the time (someone like me) to spend with this will surely find it less appealing. Nokia needs to do some very specific target marketing on this device and aim with both barrels in that direction. The N800 is a great device to start a conversation about, or a great device for early adopters, but for an average person, the fit just might not be there.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I've never had FBreader freeze on me. There is a new version out (the author has been rather quiet about it), for both ITOS2006 and ITOS2007, with a (very) few neat new features (like showing chapters as little lines on the status bar -- doesn't work with all ebook formats), so maybe you could give the new version a try?

For those who don't know FBreader (a rare breed indeed!):

http://www.fbreader.org/maemo/

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Use the "Home" button (F9 if you're using an external keyboard) and the navigation keys. You say there isn't a task bar: perhaps I've misunderstood what you want, but the bottom left-hand area of the screen also allows you to switch between apps. (Personally, I prefer the Home button.)

That is odd. I suggest you edit opera.ini to make sure the right page is specified as home page.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

yea, the n800 is not for everyone. if people want a simple device to perform pc tasks, they are better off waiting for a deal on the oqo 01+(which was on sale no to long ago for 800 bucks brand new).

for me, i just got the n800, and i think its totally awesome to maintain my web server and database. claws email works great as well to keep me up to date if anyone sends me email to any of my sites.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Those issues (not the preference ones like key button sizes) and responses are an exact play by play from 2 years ago when the 770 was launched.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

The n800 may not be for everyone but most devices are not. I do not think the learning curve on the n800 is that much different than any other small device. When I first received a Sony PSP I had about the same amount of learning curve for it's featues and options. Same for a Palm or Pocket PC PDA. I don't think we can compare the n800 to full OS units like in a UMPC as the OQO.
You can easily download and install extra applications using the Application Manager. Granted there are not as many applications available yet when compard to a Palm, Windows Mobile, or full OS but the 770/n800 is relatively new and there are not that many other units available yet which run a version of Linux. I think for most users of the n800 there are enough applications and utilities available to easily keep you happy with the unit. I know I am. :)

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I think too many people jumped on the bandwagon without knowing quite what they were getting into. I read this forum for the last year and even then waited till the N800 had been out for about two months before pulling the trigger on a purchase. This being my first linux experience I was prepared to do a little learning, just as I did with Symbian and OSX. I have installed over 20 programs but have never typed a single command in xterm, I use the N800 everyday and have had only two serious crashes (both using Abiword).
If you are an advanced linux user I can't see how the N800 is anything but the perfect mobile device. For me I found out that it was so much more than the PDA replacement that I initially bought it for. The Maemo platform just simply outperforms Winmo, Symbian and Palm in key areas for me such as multitasking.
The only thing that I would improve is maybe have a scroll wheel or buttons on the left hand side and maybe .5 to 1 inch larger screen WITHOUT increasing the size of the device.
As you can clearly tell I am a satisfied customer :D

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

One of my grouses is the input. Somehow, I wish it would be better (the virtual keyboard and handwriting somehow aren't working as well as I think it should). Double/no presses are common even when I tapped the screen properly. And the handwriting recognition is slow. I think my Newton 100 is better.... My m500 Palm is definitely better.


Luke

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I occasionally have the double press/no press problem, but I don't think it's that major an issue. Just happens every so often while I'm chatting (which I do heavily on the device).

I'm considering buying a bluetooth keyboard for it but they all seem so expensive.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I found the handwriting entry more or less worthless, does anyone like it? If someonne would make up a substitute alphabet, not cursive but mostly angles I would certainly try it.

I think the few people substantially unhappy with this are mid-level users who know enough to get themselves in trouble but not enough to solve their problems, and of course impatient people who should have bought a phone instead.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

It could be assumed that the people who purchased this device have phones, and from the amount of posts generated in this and other threads, this device has been purchased from complete novices to experienced user/developers. So the demographic runs the gambit, however getting into trouble is not the issue in some cases. For some, the issue is time and the "purely" user functionality preference. Some, most many, etc..... might have the patience to figure things out but not the time. For some, a device that simply works might be what is needed. In this case, for some, the N800 does not fit the bill.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

You represent the patient, savvy customer-- the kind every company loves.

Given the advancement evident between the 770 and N800, one can only assume (safely I believe) that the next iteration WILL be more user-friendly out of the box, and a lot of that is thanks to the constructive, thoughtful input of users such as yourself as opposed to the abject bashing that certainly can help vis-a-vis personal catharsis but that's about it. Problem is, bashers are selfish, impatient people who jump into purchases without the due diligence you exercised. It's a self-fulfilling catastrophe.

You, on the other hand, are appreciated. ;)

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

We must keep in mind the device only came a few monthes ago, they still got a heap of bugs to fix. I do wish they made faster more frequent updates though ...

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Not sure if I understood you correctly, but you can define your own "alphabet" in the teach handwriting utility.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Nokia obviously didn't hire you for their marketing department... every opinion counts and you cannot only listen to the satisfied customers... the unsatisfied customers tell a story also even if you disagree with them. Personally the Nokia N800 is the best electronic device I ever owned, but I use it exclusively at my job and if I didn't have this job it would be useless to me. I can see everyone's point of veiw without putting anyone down for it because I am not locked into thinking my point of veiw is superior to everyone else's. Too bad Karl has me on his ignore list cuz he could be taking notes here too.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Maybe I'll start a separate thread on handwtiting, but replacing the inadequate N800 handwriting with a better system isn't as easy as it appears. I'd like to use Graffiti, but replacing the A character with graffiti equivalent gets the objection that it is too similar to the number 1, and trying to replace the number 1 with the Graffiti equivalent gets the objection that it is too similar to the L, and so on. I would like to replace EVERYTHING. Too bad, Palm had this correct.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

I am a Nokia Nazi. There is no other way to say it. I prefer the simplicity, logic, and speed of a well designed product over products made from Samsung, sometimes Sony, etc.

IMHO a device is designed well when you can pick it up, not knowing how to use it, and it just works. example. my grandfather had an old answering machine that didnt work. his dsl connection wouldnt work with it. we purchased him a new one (dual cordless phone/answering machine combo). I needed to record a message, i hit the record button once, it said outloud "to record a greeting press the record button again". I did it, and it worked. I hit the delete key after leaving a test message and it said outloud "to delete all messsages press the delete key again". amazingly simple, but some thought went into it.

I love the Ipod video over my stupid Zen Vision W, I love my Nokia 6131 over 98% of other phones because of its keypad and amazing operating system. My Media Center beats up on cable company boxes and Tivos all day. Even my pioneer stereo is easy to program (as opposed to Kenwood that make me want to shoot myself in the face). When I buy something I expect it to work, and there should be a logic behind it.

This device has a perfect form, finish, speakers, battery to be an amazing device. Its fustrating to see the Nokia name on such a flakey product. I love nokias. I love simple logic at the base of a device. Lets say that, the biggest issue that overides the joy of the N800 is a lack of continuity between its applications and OS. Glad to read everyones opinions btw.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

AFAIK you can replace them all. Not sure on this one though, and my 770 is not on me at the moment.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Great post. Pretty much explains part of the mentality of some individuals regarding this device. In my opinion it is an outstanding device that simply does not meet the needs of everyone that touches it. Some will like it, some won't. That's just the way it is. When I bought it, I was in love with it because of its new-ness, and uniqueness, however after a few crashes, the reboot-a-palooza saga, and finally a replacement, I saw the device for what it really is (once again my opinion), a device that requires more time to use than I have to spend on it. My Mac, nor my N95, or E61 require the amount of "patience" and "due diligence" that this device requires. WIth that being the case, I decided to part with it.

While a patient and savvy shopper is what companies like, the early adopter and impulse buyer is what they love. I am quite sure Nokia would love 100 early adopters/impulse buyers to 200 (take a year to make up your mind shoppers). Expressing a displeasure with a product amounts to bashing no more than tacit support for a seemingly flawed product represents a willingness to follow the crowd. It comes down to a matter of opinion, and as far as I am aware, the only dictator that makes the rules here is Reggie.

@euchreprof,

Does it really matter that you are one someone's ignore list? You made a great post that will be ignored by someone that maybe should read it.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

WTF you guys are allwais making a damn flame war over everything!!!
F*U*C*K read the damn box and research before you buy! If you dont like to experiment new things or if your brain is to dam lazy to learn new things stick with what you know!!!!! I had never in my life bought any electronic device before I do extensive research.... It is the same people over and over feeding gas to the fire... Move on get a damn life do something (You know who you are or better say hand full of kids)....... this forum is slowly going down hill because of the damn flame wars that are cause by the same people.... STICK ONE THING IN YOUR DAMN HEAD! AS LONG AS MAEMO STICKS TO OPEN SOURCE OPINIONS ABOUT THE N800 OR N770 WILL RUB BY NOKIAS BALLS!!!! + or - WHY? BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THOUSANDS OF DEVELOPERS DEDICATED TO MAEMO!!!! THEY ARE COUNTING ON HACKERS TO COME UP WITH MOST OF THE IDEAS, HACKS, SOLUTIONS, ETC... THATS WHY IS OPEN SOURCE!!!! IN THAT CASE THEY WOULD BE CLOSE SOURCE AND YOU WOULD OF SEEN SKYPE PORTED YEARS AGO FOR MAEMO AND MANY OTHER APPS... Havent you guys notice? Nokia has develope just a hand full of apps and the rest has ben ported or develope by the free world...
Dont like it return it... sell it or donate it.... what ever makes YOU feal good again... Thats just my 2 cents I dont work for them or I can care less for them... Is just what make the most sence to me...

back to the real world...

Texrat.... And others lets just ignore post like this and let them cut each others throat...

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

You know what... I understand your (entertaining) point... but guess what... I also understand other points of view from other members on here and I want to hear ALL points of view... not just a select few. That was MY point and I wasn't starting a flame war. Something needed to be said about this on here... and so I said it... just like you felt to do so.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Hi All,

I just read that Gateway and Dell may be selling Nokias on their website. This may mean a wider reach of the devices...special mention is the N800.


Luke

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

You completely missed the point, overlooking the qualifiers in my post. I'd suggest you try reading again to obtain the proper interpretation, but I somehow doubt anything would change.

Suffice to say I wholly agree that a company cannot and certainly should not listen to only the satisfied customers. That goes without saying among us professional adults. The point was that outright bashing, in which some enagage, serves no useful purpose in my opinion (which also counts). All you had to do was take the adjectives I used into account and you would have easily grasped that, like any 10 year old could.

And no, I'm not in marketing. Thank God.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Total Denial.

Re: i keep trying to like this thing
 

Total incomprehension.

Another dillhole to add to ignore. You're no longer any fun, just... eh, nevermind. Adios.