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.

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

- 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)

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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Because I see future is 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.

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.

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.

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

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.