N900 not for novices... ?
 

I’ve had an n900 for approx 3 weeks now and I love the speed of it. But that’s about it.

As a complete novice to linux, I’m finding it frustrating as when I had Winmo (which I cannot stand anymore), at least I could remote from device to PC and vice versa with simple easy to install apps.

As the apps for n900 are average (IMO) and I am a novice to linux, I hope there will be idiot proof apps, for me to remote from device to PC and vice versa.

I tried to remote my PC from my n900 using logmein, but cant, because I don’t understand how to.

I am reading up on installing opera mini browser, but learning that I need microemulator… I’ve given up on how to install opera.

Is there anyone else out there like me? Are all you guys pretty clued up and confident with linux, ssh, microemulator, etc.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

I'm just wondering, why would you want to have Opera in N900?

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

i assume, that you've windows on your PC? then try out rdesktop.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

There is pyRdesktop-client in the repos that has a very nice user interface. Very simple to use just like the windows one. Just make sure that all ports and such are forwarded just like any other remote desktop. There is also VNC viewer which is very user friendly as well and works cross platform. A little googling on both will be needed as always with programmes that u arnt used to. The added advantage to being a new Linux user and having a N900 is this community. Im sure many people on here myself inclueded have been in your frustrating situation of something not working. Usually a quick search on the forum solves most issues. By the way Rdesktop and issues is explained in great detail on the wiki pages at the top of the forum page. Hope yoiu get it working the N900 and Linux is well worth the time and effort and will get easier with time as with all operating systems.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

hi guys

I'm an old windows dinosaur, and I really got fed up with WinMo. I've already had several threads and found you guys fantastic and supportive.

Just from my point of view, very frustrated as Linux is like Russian to me loool

I love this n900, it's just the learning curve is very daunting for me.... I'll give Rdesktop a go... hope I can crack it

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Yes, I have windows 7, and my knowledge on other OS's is, frankly, zero he he he

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Yes, I have windows 7, and my knowledge on other OS's is, frankly, zero he he he

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

wen i use logmein from n900 browser, I get right to the point where I'm about to remote onto my PC, but then the screen just remains black.

I was hoping opera might resolve this....

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

At least it is worth learning linux :)

I don't know anything about Win7, but you could use WinSCP to browse your full N900 file-system if you install SSH on your device.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

no idea how to install SSH :) i read about it in forums, and gave up, it kept asking me for admin user password :(

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Lol. Sorry. It is asking you to provide a new password - pick one and remember it. It will be the password for the root user, and you will be able to log in using an ssh client (Putty, WinSCP, etc) using that password, so it needs to be reasonably robust, and not the default password that the device ships with.

If you got that far before, then you pretty much know how to install it - just dream a password and continue :)

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

aha - let me clarify pls sir... It didnt prompt me for a password to set...

it does this:

~ $ sudo root
Password:

After I type "~ $ sudo root" in x-terminal, then press enter KEY it just says that.... I've tried rootme and maemo... but it just says:

Sorry, try again.

:(

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

If you download Rootsh you can type

sudo gainroot

to gain root privlidges.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Go into the application manager and install the rootsh utilitiy.

once this is installed , from the terminal to gain root access just type

~$sudo gainroot

you wont need a password

your terminal promt will change to a # to show you are now root. Tread with care

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

how and where can one get rootsh please :D

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

ignore, i found it in app manager thaaaaaaanks :)

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

installed rdesktop and successfully controlled laptop from n900....

hmm, now for other way round... ;)

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

x11vnc and then a VNC client on the PC should work. See http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/X11vnc_on_Maemo

Oh, and Opera Mini will (almost certainly) not help with getting logmein working, since it uses a proxy and down-scaling stuff for small mobile screens.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

now this works a CHARM :)

but.... its working at home, cos i have 1 laptop, a router and i can configure my laptop, router and n900 so that they are all on the same LAN and i can give both laptop and n900 unique ip's...

BUT... the real challenge I have, is where I work in the office... msn and webmail is DISABLED and i want to remote my n900 from my PC discreetly.... i have VNC on my work PC, but how do I VNC onto my n900 from my work PC, which is on the work domain :S

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

You'll probably have to use the mobile ip. Open a terminal and run "/sbin/ifconfig phonet0", look at the line that starts with inet addr to get the ip. (I'm sure there's a graphical way to check this as well, somewhere in the connection info, but I don't have a device to look up the actual way to see it here). Now your work might also block outgoing VNC in which case you are stuck anyway.

Oh, and there's a "thanks" button next to the reply ones at the bottom of a post that can be used for helpful stuff :)

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

i will try this from work and let u know ! :)

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

I also wanna see browser like opera mini or mobile or some plugin for default browser on n900...

I hate mobile browsers that have no feature for to screen or text fit to screen. Its hard to read text if haveto scroll horisontaly to read text.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

I'm coming to the conclusion it's not for novices. I can't get the application manager to work, which seems to be a fairly major deal. :(

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

I love my N900, wouldn't change it for anything else, but frankly, it's not for novices. At least not yet. The app support (eg. having an app to hold you hand for every task imaginable) it's just not there yet, the platform is just too young. Yes, you can do pretty much everything by hand, and the community is really great, but for average Joe, the learning curve is just too steep. IMHO.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

It does make it easier if you've used Linux before, but TBH most of it is in the background and the main functions of the phone: phone, IM,email, texting, media player - is all handled with the very fast and slick UI. You don't really need a linux knowledge unless you absolutely must start using it more as a computer than a phone.

Playstation worked just fine as it was, but there were alsop Net Yaroze, etc.,.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

as soon as an app like mymobiler comes out for n900 the better loool :)

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

People aren't allowed to have preferred browsers anymore?

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Dont get mine until Tuesday, but I already know that Im part of a certain group of people who will, for months, no doubt feel overwhelmed.

I work for CPW and I've tinkered with most phones, but Maemo is a different beast altogether. What Ive seen, anyway. Getting my hands on one on tuesday may relax me a bit!

Honestly, reading some of the advice on here, is it wrong that it just seems like a completely different language? I pretty sharp with technology, but some of the stuff on here literally scares the bejesus out of me!

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Im very much excited about getting a hands on with it, I think my trepidation is mainly down to the fact that every phone I've ever had, WInMo ect, I have instantly known why way around. Sticking apps on, modding, tweaking, its all been very natural. But I distinctly remember leaning how to do all that on WinMo, and it been ok, because it was windows.

Maemo excites me, its openness and power and tweakability, but the fact that it's literally an entirely new OS makes me feel like a complete dunce! i know NOTHING about linux!

Still, bet I could sell it and get an X2 if I truly dont 'get' it!

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

You'll get it, no worries. If you're used to 'tweaking' phones it will take you less than 48 hours to get the hang of the Maemo UI. There will be irritating odds and ends that seem to be in the wrong place (data counter reset being under phone settings is my bugbear) but a matter of days and you'll have the hang of the thing.

What you won't get in that time is the deeper recesses of it. This device is like an onion - always a new layer to explore. And just when you thought you had it set up how you want, along comes another piece of software. The e-book reader arrived yesterday: guess how I spent the day?

You'll get the basics right off. How much deeper you want to go is up to you.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

I'm like you mate, I am pure WinMo. I had an htc touch diamond. but the n900 and maemo, is brilliant.

This forum is super - i've found great help already, so dont be daunted because I am pure windows man, and feel comfortable with n900, with the aid of this site.

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

Thanks man, There are alot of cool people here who are genuinly helpful...which is pretty odd for a forum!

Im so anxious to get hold of it and start to play around, and get my head around the linux side of things. Cant imagine i'll be paying too much attention to the terminal just yet, but eventually Id like to be comfortable with how the system works and how it can be altered. Thats a far while away mind!

Re: N900 not for novices... ?
 

let us know wen u get it m8...