Originally Posted by GeneralAntilles

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

Originally Posted by brecklundin

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.

<snip>

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

Originally Posted by Benson

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.

What about Ubuntu Embedded?

I read about it today: http://linuxuk.blogspot.com/2007/08/...a-770n800.html

but it's half year later, anyone with news?
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Originally Posted by Rebski

This may touch on the subject.
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/16528/1090/1/2/
Developer Matthew Garrett is leaving Debian and he briefly mentions his work with Canonical, "I mostly worked on the integration of hardware support for mobile devices. Particularly on things to do with the Ubuntu mobile project, which aims to produce a Linux distribution that is optimised for the new Intel Menlow platform that will be coming out shortly, based on the Silverthorne processor, which are going to be similar devices to the Nokia internet tablet but with significantly enhanced performance."

So the project seems to be alive. Personally I can't get enough of 'significantly enhanced performance'.

Originally Posted by brecklundin

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!!