Okay, I have been reading about these 2 IT's for the past couple
of days. I know that they are based on a version of linux.
My main question is this, I am not a real linux buff, I would like to know
if either of these 2 units area able to run any of the older linux
software? Lets say, older by meaning, matching the procecor speed and
ram. Could I install programs/games from other linux or does it have to
be programmed for Maemo? I was not sure how to word this for a search.
That is why I thought I would ask about it in a new thread.
I know it is not a PDA, looks like one, but main function is to get on the
internet. I did read that you can install some software for word documents
to be opened/edited on the 770.
That would be my biggest question, linux is open source but I am not
to familiar if I could use software from older days. Seeing as a BT keyboard
and mouse can be paired with either device, you would not have to worry
about always clicking on the screen? This would be the biggest deal breaker
for me. If I could use older or should I say other linux? not sure if there
is another linux, i know they all have offshoots, like red hat and such.
Sorry for such a long text, and many thanks for any input. Its appreciated.

PS: My main reason for using it would be to get on the net.
also to be able to have some PDA like functions, though at the same time.
date planner, and to be able to play some games. I just had an old
PDA that ran Palm OS, it was the tapwave zodiac. It completly died on me.
It had a lot of emulators and was fun in that aspect. In general the games
that Palm in general had were fun as well. Both the Zodiac and Nokia IT,
ran off of an ARM 9. That being my strong points in looking at this,
I have not found any post that makes a real strong argument over
PDA versus IT. If I am looking at this all wrong just point me in the correct
direction. As this is a very impressive unit, it might not do me well for what
I am looking for. Again thanks in advance.

Just about any linux application, older days, newer days (taken into account the hardware's limitations) in theory could run on the tablets, but they first need to be compiled for the OS. Usually basic applications that don't have a lot of library requirements can be compiled fairly easy, those with more complex graphics requirements may take a bit more work with fine tuning things. It is helpful to have some programming experience if you want to compile your own applications or those found on the internet.

There are already a number of compiled applications for the 770 of which the N800 will soon follow:

http://maemo.org/maemowiki/ApplicationCatalog2006

As far as using the tablet for a PDA, not recommended but not because of a hardware limitation, more because there is no good software that allows that to happen which is a shame. Why nokia didn't include a basic yet full function PIM suite is odd, would have made a world of difference. There is the GPE PIM application available, but I didn't really find it that good maybe because I had no way to easily import my contacts, except one at a time...ugh!