This is my first Forum where I find myself in the lower 25% of general understanding of the subject hardware. I'm impressed with the relatively large percentage of 'program-level' members. I'm pretty competent on PCs and internet use, however I'm not very pleased with my slow understanding* of this N800. I've searched this excellent Forum, but still have some 'how-to' and beginner type questions:
1) Security: What do the members like as the most effective Internet security software/measures/settings we can take (in addition to sensible use) for our N800s? This little guy is so portable, I find myself using it in public APs much more now.
2) Favorite (current) N800 apps: I've seen a number of 'what I'd like' polls for future s/w, but what's out there now that members REALLY like (hopefully not requiring Linux programming, though)?
3) Tips and tricks: A lot of forums eventually compile tips on use. Are there any threads that do some of this?
4) I know the N800 isn't a PDA, but it IS a computer. Is there any s/w or technique (without user programming) that one can use to import text or lists or contact data from other machines?

Thanks for any help in this.
Bill H


*Example: I've been screwing around with the Mozilla based browser on the N800 and can't even determine how to use it or even if it's 'all aboard' the unit yet. Opera's OK, but nothing like my Firefox

It's pretty much totally safe to use the N800 with public APs, if you just remember that anyone can monitor your network browsing, e.g. if you surf some web sites it's fully possible for someone else to show on their own screen exactly what you're seeing in the browser display of the N800. If it's anything important (security wise) then make sure you access through https, not http (where possible). One thing to notice is that even though the default 'gmail' bookmark in the N800 uses encrypted (https) login to gmail, the actual mail reading does not. So, if you want your gmail email content (which may contain passwords or whatnot), then you should instead log in to gmail using the https://mail.google.com/ URL, this will keep the _whole_ session encrypted - not just the login.

In addition, if you happen to install either the dropbear or the openssh server on your N800 then you should immediately change the default root password on the N800, and maybe also disable root login through ssh. Otherwise anyone on the same AP can log in to the N800, as the default root password is commonly known.

Other than that, there aren't any (currently known) open ports or ways to break in to the N800, unless you explicitly install some software to allow this.

I really like the 'simple_launcher' applet, as it lets me add a list of icons to the home desktop for the most used applications (no need to go through the menus to run them).

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Thanks for that. I never knew why http was sometimes https. Couldn't find much on 'simple_launcher', though. Bill H

Search the board - there are some topics about "simple_launcher"...
Just searched for it 'cause I was curious ;-)