When I bought N900 the only thing know about Linux was that you type ls the shell to list files.

Today 9 months later Im running Kernel-Power 45 OC 750mhz, installed preenv games, multibooting Meego, and alot of other stuff that you need some linuxskill to get working.

So far there havnt been any problem I had that I could not solve from reading this forum. And if not solved I got an explenation why its not solvable.

I have gone from been a total newbe to Linux to know alot of shellcommands and how they work, how Linux is build up and how to do basic troubleshooting.

And all that thx to Maemo forums.
Nowdays I find myself a little linux geeky .

Next up reinstall my windows 2003 homeserver with linux instead.

I researched the N900 and bought it to be a phone that would do other things as well. Once I got over the "wow, this is nothing like Symbian at all" period (about two minutes, with the flashing row of dots at first boot being the initial clue) and addressed the device on its own terms I was, and am, really glad to have bought it. Best ~$500.00USD I ever spent. (excepting, of course, the engagement ring I bought for my wife of 33 years.) This is my first Linux device and I had zero idea of what Linux meant. I was thinking "DOS that actually can do stuff."

Much of this joy has come from being able to come to maemo.org and find how to fix my screw-ups, how to extend the device beyond the out of the box functionality and as I picked up some knowledge to share that with other members of this community.

Sometimes the forum can seem like it is Trollopolis. I don't have to read or respond to every yo-yo with an Internet connection and a sour stomach. I prefer to focus on the amazing things that go on here.

• FM radio
• MMS
• USB host mode
• Overclocking
• Bluetooth Keyboard support
• Community designed themes
• Multiboot
• Nitroid
• U-Boot

I hope I have not offended any developer by not listing their love child here, these are just the things that come to mind immediately.

As another poster in this thread mentioned "we rock".

I agree with what people are saying here. I pre-ordered my N900 after doing a fair amount of research. At the time I knew little to nothing about linux. I now run linux on my desktop, and have converted a few friends over from windows. I would never have been able to do half of what I do now on a daily basis without your help. I just bought a Galaxy Tab this weekend, and IMHO, I prefer Maemo.

we all have almost the same story over here
as my signature says: the N900 really did change my life.

but that wouldn't be possible without the good people over here

well said dude , this has to be the best forum about , many thanks to all people involved !

well for me 12 months ago i didnt have a clue of what was the linux OS and things related, i remenber my girlfriend bought the n900 for her, and she didnt like it bacuse not video calls and no fmms, now after all that time i know so many things about the OS and the n900 i am glad she gave up the n900 and i took it just for fun at that time. i just can say THKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS FORUM, VERY THKS FOR ALL THE THINGS U MADE ME LEARN.

Yep, thanks to the forum and all the developers - and even to some of the trolls for giving me something to rail against.. lol. I didn't do much reasearch before gettig the phone - I knew it was like an n800 with phone capabilities - I took it on a 24 mnth contract thinking if I didn't like it I coud ebay it and get a cheaper phone.. 10 mnths later I still have it, I've learnt loads about linux from it and if time were no issue I'd learn to develop on it.. I'm even considering buying a spare n900 so that if anything happens to this one I'll still have one for a few years to come.. that's how much I like it.. The community makes it great too - thanks again everyone Oh yeah, and Gpodder - I love Gpodder and Pannuci