Johnx | # 21 | 2008-02-04, 11:14 | Report

Yeah, they're not targeting ARM for a release, *but* most of their source packages should be buildable for Debian ARM. Also, I haven't heard much news out of them either in terms of progress and I've actually been listening to it for quite a while...

-John

brecklundin | # 22 | 2008-02-05, 19:37 | Report

Thank you for that comment. I have been on the fence over the N800/N810 IT's and having been down the proprietary drivers and what not with the Sony Clie's only to have Sony turn them all into abandonware almost overnight...I am not going to take this route again no matter how nice the package.

And people wonder why Winblows dominates...and Linux stagnates in many ways. Every time I look at Linux and think about a switch I find such issues. Perhaps it is because these corporations (the device makers are too incestuous in their "partnering" (marketing double talk for collusion) and have so many non-competition agreements they give people just enough to sell a device but not enough to make it a serious long term solution.

Benson | # 23 | 2008-02-05, 20:02 | Report

Wow... Just, wow...

Have I got this straight?
Windows dominates because a few specific hardware drivers are proprietary. Whereas practically every single Windows driver is proprietary, but that's different, because... because... Well, I'm not sure why exactly, but I know there's a reason!

Look at your computer; your desktop PC. How many of the drivers on it can you access the source of, to recompile them into a different OS? all of them? most? any? No, I didn't think so. There happen to be independently developed drivers for an awful lot of desktop hardware, including the ones used under Linux. But the ones you're using with Windows are in fact proprietary.

Make your own choices, pal; I've no interest in coaxing you to buy an N800. But if you're really not going down the proprietary driver route again, I can't help but wonder what device(s) you'll use to fill the place you had been thinking about the N800 for.

smog | # 24 | 2008-02-05, 20:23 | Report

it's just not the same *****, with the 770,n800 and n810 you can change the windows manager and recompile other software or browser and still keep the original kernel and drivers. the 2005 Nokia 770 is still a good machine and the OS2006 is still rock stable.

brecklundin | # 25 | 2008-02-05, 20:33 | Report

ah, you are correct that in a Winblows system the drivers for a device might be proprietary but if a component is no longer supported by it's MFG you can replace THAT component and not have to find a whole new system.

The flexibility of the hardware platform is such that should an MFG go under a replacement for that discrete component can be had easily.

In the case of a UMPC/PDA/IT if the device maker controls how and what can be run on a device because they alone control the drivers then in a single instant the device is render useless for more than a few users who have invested significant time and money in the device. Much of that investment was based on promises or better said intimations of steady improvements which more often than not turn into vaporware.

Like I wrote, Sony did the EXACT same thing with their Clie's. Completely restricted the device drivers to proprietary drivers in firmware that was no user accessible. Then after people invested easily over a $1000 each (adding software and such) the platform was dropped abandoning those users to frustration.

I just cannot trust any company that is this restrictive. Potentially these restrictions can control the type of content the device and run...never to be improved or expanded. I will not invest in planed and manipulated obsolesence.

At least with the Nokia IT's there appears to be the potential to install a different OS...but still that is not reality...why? Prolly the propietary restrictions built into the firmware.

Sorry if you cannot grasp that idea...but have been there done that far too many times. Not gonna do it again. Pal...

brecklundin | # 26 | 2008-02-05, 20:38 | Report

And things such as playing NSV streams and PDA like apps? They exist and function?

I do know that Skype runs on the N800 which is a key for me...darn dunna wanna hijack this thread... 'nuff said.

GeneralAntilles | # 27 | 2008-02-05, 20:45 | Report

Probably worthwhile to do more research. Debian ARMEL installs and runs just fine.

iontruo2 | # 28 | 2008-02-05, 21:29 | Report

I paid a mere couple hundred bucks for my N800 and other than my growing usage and recent purchase of a pair of 16gig sdhc memory cards(=32gigs!)...everything else is utterly free. All the software I am enjoying from this community is free and most of it is frankly superb(Canola2-MediaBox-Kagu-MAP-Streamtuner-Skype etc etc etc...)

I recently have been giving a friend's boss some info re: N800's etc and I am surprised to see this Software Analyst guy sitting on the fence for 6 month's now, dithering about what to buy. Mother, the guy makes a $150,00 a year or so! N800's are what? $250-$300 bucks? Heck my heating oil bill just topped that...for one month.

My point really is these little babies are sooo cheap in price, I say just go for it and have fun.
Its not some Palm Treo at $700 or a Windows Mobile type unit in the same purchase ranges with software costs that'll sink ya, at $40-$60 for a little mobile program.... every time.

brecklundin | # 29 | 2008-02-05, 21:37 | Report

That is reassuring...I LOVE the whole design of the N800 series. I WANT it to work but I am not going to get stuck into company controlled dead in system. So maybe I am a tad, well, sensitive when I read the word "proprietary" and of user frustrations getting done certain functions I would expect of an INTERNET Tablet. I know it takes a while for developers to catch up. I am actually happy I chimed in and am getting great feedback...I appreciate that a LOT...you at least have me back on the fence again...

BTW, if I do get one it's gonna be the N800 it's a good price point but all that was bugging me is reading everywhere that things I would want to work don't...or are to be ready "Real Soon Now'...

brecklundin | # 30 | 2008-02-05, 21:50 | Report

I realize you are tyring to show how much you truly enjoy the device and how useful you feel it might be...but these tools are NOT CHEAP. $200-$250 is a lot of money to many people. That is part of the problem in today's throw-away mindset here in the US...for $200+ I expect to receive years of use and value for my money. I once was in that rarefied air income wise...but you would be surprised what a couple turns in your health and lost/cancelled health care insurance can do to a person in a decade. Things now need to be budgeted. Cheap is not needed but value is upper most importance. I would rather wait another 6-mo. to save additional funds then buy something that is just OK for a year or so.

I do appreciate your enthusiasm...it's infectious and helpful...I think your use is close enough to how I would want to use the device....so THANKS... I really now need to read the threads here in detail. I dunno how I missed this place but it's so cool to find such a wealth of info and answers...seriously thanks!!