Did you buy N800/770 because of linux?
 

Just wondering how many people bought N800/770 because it runs linux, because for me, that was the biggest selling point of the N800/770.

When i was deciding on a PDA, the only two officially linux-running devices were the Sharp Zaurus and N800/770. It was a pretty tough decision since the Zaurus had so much application available while the application database for N800/770 were still relatively immature.

But eventually, i decided to go with N800 because of the bigger screen, build in wifi, and better UI.

So, just a hands up, how many of you guys bought N800 because of linux? And what is it about having Linux on a PDA or Internet Tablet that is so attractive to you?

P.S. Yes, please do vote if you are a N770 user, even if the title only says N800.

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

Yes, I bought mine (N770) because I saw that the sharp has no bt or wifi inside, and thinking that maemo was opensource....

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

- Wifi for portable connectivity
- Screen resolution and ARM11 for PMP usage
- linux for possibility to freely add software / enhancement on the device without depending 100% on the manufacturer (I used to have an iRiver U10)

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

I had a Zaurus, which was stolen, before I bought the N800. I seriously debated whether to buy another Zaurus or not. Let me say that I had to tinker (and tinker and tinker) with the Zaurus to finally get it to where I wanted it because of the varying hardware for BT and Wifi, whereas with the N800 those things worked out of the box.
That was a huge deciding factor. The other factor was indeed whether or not it ran Linux.

There seems to be a bit more going on with the N800 too, at least as far as users are concerned. Take a look at the difference between the Zaurus forums over at oesf.org and here. Night and day, as far as activity.

I think both Zaurus and tablet users will say "Oh, they're entirely different things... one does one thing and the other does another." I used to believe that as well, but I'm now doing everything (and more) on the N800 that I did with my Zaurus.

R.
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Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

Because I see future is Linux.

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

- I wanted one because of the specs (800x480,2xSD,wi-fi/g, BT) etc., but:
- I bought one because of Linux. I won't risk getting stuck with a device because the manufacturer won't upgrade a driver, for example, as happened with my PalmOS device. Much less chance for that with Linux. And a few more similar things.

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

Yep - linux largely. I wanted something with a reasonable framework for developing which was largely open. I also wanted something which (eventually) would sync well with my pim on my desktop.

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

Maybe another option on the poll question like "other" for OS as there are several other options out there and I for one purchased the N800 on price and options and about lastly on the OS.

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

Is the 770 an ugly stepchild or something???? Guess I can't vote.

Re: Did you buy N800 because of linux?
 

I bought my 770 because it ran Linux. I was basically under the assumption at the time that support from the manufacturer would only extend to basic advertised functionality and that they would probably do a half-assed job at some of those advertised function due to lack of resources. Equally, I was under the assumption that because it was Linux, one would very rapidly see third party development and whole new distros for it. I never imagined that the company would do something so foolish as to make a half-open device. As things stand now.

-only a very limited subset of Linux apps are available
-Lots of bugs exist in the OS and drivers, but 3rd parties can't fix them and Nokia won't/doesn't have the resources to do so.
-We have a non-standard window manager/ui framework which makes it difficult to adapt/port desktop linux applications.

Essentially, what I dreamed of was having most of the power of a robust Linux environment in the palm of my hand with a plethora of recompiled apps and innovative 3rd party extensions to the base system. What I got was a special case niche device with limited attractiveness to 3rd party developers, minimal post sale support and misleading promises from the device's developers. I still feel very burned by the lack of faithful 770 support, especially after having bought a 800 and am already realizing that it too is a dead platform. Unless there are significant changes to the way the platform is handled/supported for future devices, I will likely be jumping ship in a few years for a next-generation UMPC instead.

In particular I think the following needs to happen in future devices:

-All hardware and basic interfaces to hardware functions like power management and wifi drivers need to be open
-Hardware should be upgraded enough to run Linux standard frameworks, not just something "close to it"
-Maemo needs to be a distribution with proper package management and the ability to upgrade components in place, not simply an embedded image that requires a reflash and subsequent loss of all user installed apps/data
-Just as US Robotics/Palm was foolish to think of their device simpy as a "connected organizer," Nokia should wake up to the fact that people are not buying their device simply as a "Internet Tablet." Every N770 & N800 user I have encountered has been very savy to the Linux nature of the tablet and bought it for the beautiful hardware design and robust OS, not because of crappy cam calls. I myself hardly touch the Nokia apps except for Opera and frequently run Minimo anyways.
-Nokia needs to find a way to provide ongoing, substantive support and application compatibility for existing tablets users. I will not continually dump $400 down the drain just to see the same problems repeated and see redevelopment by 3rd parties start from scratch all over again.