How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Obviously, multitasking in the Nokia N900 is rather decent (my way of saying it's the best out there). BUT, are you making full use of it? Help me to understand how you use the multitasking feature. Your feedback is appreciated and taken into account in the MeeGo Marketing approach now and in the future.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

And Nokia rears it head!

I use it daily. More RAM and a better swap model would make it less painful. I hope MeeGo does not suffer from the unresponsiveness issues (completely ignoring input for a considerable amount of time) that occasionally creep up.

Also, you guys need to pipe up more. The silence is deafening.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

After I boot up, I launch Email and Conversations and leave them always running. Other than SMS convo windows, I don't usually leave anything else open

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I hear what you are saying and that's why I want to know some stats. May they be representative or not.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I use it extensively, and I would be frustrated without it. I currently have nine apps running:

• the clock/alarm app,
• an X terminal (running an ssh session)
• the phone
• contacts
• the file manager
• a web browser window
• Conboy
• an IM window
• an app which helps me catalogue my book collection (I wrote this myself and it doesn't have a good name)

I do usually close apps when I'm done with them, but these have all been recently used.

You could probably get an interesting response by asking this on /r/n900/ as well.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Multitasking on the N900 is great, but I usually only have 1-3 apps open at a time. Having more apps open certainly calls for trouble when you try to answer the next phone call.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Thanks. You might not be the "average" mainstream consumer (X-terminal open...), but you are one of my customers and your opinion counts. Haven't used reddit.com and hence will stay on familiar talk.maemo.org.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Usually it's just a couple as I'm close to a PC anyway. If I'm away somewhere then there's generally around half a dozen open (X terminals, twitter, RSS reader, FBReader, Browser, etc).

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

When i'm not using it, i usually close everything, but when i'm using it, i usually have 4 or more windows open. Usually all browser windows, flicking back and forth between different sites.

Other times i have things running in the background, like TV Catchup Recorder, while doing something else like reading Twitter with Tweego (when login did work :() or playing Angry Birds.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I typically only multitask when I need to. Not leaving any program running unless I actually need it to do something at that moment.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I often use it by having programs and/or web sites running or waiting for my next input. When I surf the web, I will have multiple sites open, and also use the gps, music, and multiple txt conversations going on at the same time.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

That's sounds like me. I keep my desktop clean when I'm done but keep a certain set of apps open when I need them: email, 2 times browser, 2 times conversations.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I will generally have xchat and pidgin both up, along with conky, some web browser windows and either mediabox or pyradio up for music. If I'm driving, I'll keep all that up (just in the background, of course) and use Mappero as gps/traffic.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I often have multiple browser windows open, reading the gen on one page while waiting for t'others to load. Also, poping back and forth between web-pages and emails or notes I'm composing is fairly common. If I open the calendar, I'll tend to leave it open in month view forspeed of reference, only shutting it if I have so many windows open it becomes a drag to navigate between them; ditto Notes, Messaging and Email.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Interesting to see that you have so many community apps running in parallel not only the pre-installed apps. Interesting, indeed.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I have been wondering something for a time now.

How do you define app? I mean most of us got cron, scripts, several IM accounts and is terminal an app? Is it just a part of the system? I mean how do you define "app" on N900?

Edit: I usually have around 1-3 windows opened most of the time, but as i said i got alot of running in the background.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I always keep my e-mail and twitter open. If I am actively browsing the web or using other programs, then I will close them when I'm done. I love multitasking in Maemo and hope it continues to be great with Meego.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

i try to have as much as i can open:)
my n900 is there to work!!!
no time for chill out.
cpu at 850 for 2 hours
temp 50 degrees lol

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

My average is 6-9 but there are times when i need to scroll to reach some windows, and times when there is only one window open and the dashboard is mostly useless

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Okay, frankly speaking, you know too much. ;-)

Joke aside, I'm referring to apps that you open from application menu or several instances of the same app (browser, conversations), but not scripts you fire up with xterm that run in the background and you can't affect from the multitasking view. Xterm is an app by my definition.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

There are really two different uses here:

1. Being able to quickly swap between different applications.
2. Having two applications that actively multitask.

For number 1 above it is enough to create a persistent copy of the application being defocused. As far as I understand (which is very little) of Android, this is the path it takes. I have to admit that most of my "multi-tasking" fall into this path. Examples of this is keeping ebook reader open at the same time as the browser or an xterm with ipython, etc...

For number 2 you have multiple applications being scheduled by the scheduler and they both need their share of the CPU, and they really "run at the same time". Examples of this that I wouldn't want to live without are the fact that you can run Conboy and the the calendar at the same time your are in the middle of a phone conversation.

Other examples for number 2 are various monitoring and notification applications.

Something that I do miss is the ability to have more than one application visible at the same time. I find that most of the writing I do need some kind of reference. This goes for programming or an email while referencing material on the web etc. The resolution of the screen is high enough to keep two narrow windows open in landscape mode, but the maemo window manager does not support it. Let's hope that MeeGo fixes this.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

when I use it, I usually have Gpodder, Panucci, official media app, one/two/three web page opened, then some conversations may happen, phone...etc I may check some widget infos from time to time as well

but then, when this is becoming too much for the N900 (I mean slowing down), I start closing apps :(
I definitely love the approach: you decide what you open, what you close, finding the right balance yourself.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

mostly i close applications after i'm done with it

but sometimes i'm using multitasking by opening several websites (2-3 websites), chatting on pidgin with 2 contacts at once, conky to keep an eye on resources and temperatures, one spreadsheet using sheet to go and in the middle of those i frequently received & send sms and also calls (which lags heavily that sometime i could tell a call is coming before it showed on the screen or any other notifications only by the phone becoming unresponsive... )

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

lol anyone that has this phone and isnt using the community apps are seriously underusing and underestemating the phone. have you seen solme of the tmo apps? better programmed than the paid apps and most of the time free. not to mention usually better or additions to the phones internal apps.

portrait phone before pr 1.2
fmms - mms messaging
conky - report back on rootfs, clock speed and others in an easily readable gui.
cutexplorer, mc - file manager with root access
connectnow widget - easily connect to a saved network or gprs with one click (my most used probably)
queen beecon - run most xterminal and script commands that you can save with one touch after configuring widget size, colour, and animation and output.

and thats just off the top of my head, also not including games and emulators

id like to take this moment actually to thank the talented developers on this site endlessly, without which my phone would probably have been sent back

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

i've often around 20 wins, code sources #KhtEditor, http qt doc, music, #Khweeteur :

http://khertan.net/_media/playground...a8a81a1d458fb0

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

usually:
a few conversation windows

a terminal window with ssh session logged in

a few browser windows

does media player widget count? I usually have that going with internet radio station while in office

PIM notes(like in calendar) not the Notes app. i use it a lot. I wish it was better, Peter

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Hello, Peter.

I don't constantly run many apps as I don't see any need. Actually I have 2 scenarios of the multitasking in action:
1) Pidgin and twitter app/ any game + gpodder+audio player. Eventually 1-2 web pages could be open. But that's when I have time or need to. When I'm busy, no apps are opened.
2) Heavy usage. For e.g. my friend and I spend in the car almost whole day driving here and there. It means I may run 2 navigation apps(ovi/modrana+the one that shows traffic jams in Moscow), web browser where I search something, phone app to call, fm-transmission+audio-player coz he likes to listen to my podcasts, twitter/im can be too.

Actually I find myself using such a powerful multitasking very occasionally. Most of the time I have 1-3 apps running and I'm busy with something else but phone. When I indeed take n900 in the hands it means time for some real work for it=)

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I use multitasking very extessive and often more than 6 windows are open at the same time. I also leave them open if I don't use the apllication. I only close all apps if the N900 feels to slow.

What I don't understand is the different concept in modest. I'able to open 10 browser windows at the same time but only one email window! Why? I use two mail accounts with tons of folders and it would be a big step forward to open mor than one window at the same time.

Ciao jukey

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Hi Peter, and thanks for asking the community on this one.

You obviously know what you're looking for, but I guess data is nothing without context, so I'll be brief:

I'm not a Developer, power or tech user - just a regular guy who loves the power of the N900 to switch tasks rapidly.

I rarely use data services away from home wireless LAN (I use a PAYG plan)

Most of the time I run 3 to 6 apps concurrently, these typically including:

• Messaging (all my Twiter and FB feeds come in via text)
• Recaller (allways on, allways used)
• Callendar
• K9 Call keyboard widget
• Conboy
• Gpodder
• MediaBox or Media Player
• Email (for reference - only check for new emails twice a day)

I would run Ovi Maps pretty much all the time, but as it is it has little use for me without voice guidance, re-routing, offline searching or the ability to work without AGPS.

I'm not mentioning this to have a dig, but Ovi maps was something I really, really miss from my X6 and ran pretty much all the time. I think a lot of people would use it if it actually worked ;)

I typically have twice as many apps open in the evening as in the day when I'm out & about.

Hope this helps!

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I'm not underestimating the power of community apps, no way. Actually, I'm valuing them a lot and I'm proud of the 28 million downloads. I have several of them on my N900 including Hermes, 3G/2G switching and the Flashlight. I also find useful apps on Ovi Store like Gas Balls which is simply cool.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Good point, indeed. I'll check with the guys from email R&D. I don't know, but to be honest I rather have a combined inbox than plenty of windows for each email account.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Yes, I know what I'm looking for. And it may have some serious influence on our work here. There is little statistical evidence on who uses how much and which apps. Even this poll, while not necessarily a reasonable sample or selection of voters, it gives many good indications.

But I also need the votes on the pole which is the most powerful communication method ultimately. And yes, it helps. Already now I have many good quotes in the posts that are useful.

So, put in your vote, please.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I tend to end up with browser, conversations, email and calendar open (which is 4) but then several browser windows open, which gives an appearance of 6 or more.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

The downloads are rocketing up aren't they!
almost 30% up in just a month is simply amazing :)
it can only get stronger as community applications build on the work done to date.
gas balls is such a cool funtime hack, it complements the device well, I am so pleased to see this released on Ovi store.

There are other community based live interactions available too - vasvlad has spent a long time creating liveWallpaper [1], he has added support for XScreensavers which adds literally hundreds of funky animated live backgrounds as well as support for movies and custom apps too!

Good solid Qt apps like quickflickr [2] can be created and happily run on our devices now and should expand into Meego with ease!

[1] http://maemo.org/downloads/product/M...ive-wallpaper/
[2] http://zchydem.enume.net/2010/08/15/...lickr-on-n900/

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

When not in using i close all windows, while when using it may be 1 to 6 windows open at same time, most of them on web together with email. Sometimes I run 2 or more X terminal to check my servers when I'm out.
I avoid to open more than 6 windows.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I usually don't have that many apps running unless the phone is in my hand. When it is though i have a couple.

Here's an example what I have running:
Media player (Always listening to music)
X-Chat
khteditor
x-term
1-6 browser windows
1-6 conversation windows
witter

sometime it's more sometimes it's less, but that is what I usually have open. I try to close stuff I don't use so i don't get bogged down, but it's pretty smooth with those apps as long as the websites aren't too heavy

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Great, my own team colleagues are voting now too, but hey, your vote is as good as mine. You know how my desk looks like typically when I go home i.e. empty.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

Probably similar usage to qgil.

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

often have several apps open
- shell
- browser (several pages)
- notifications
- SMS text entry
- email
- (sometimes) media player ie whilst browsing listen to radio/music
- f1 timing data
- GPS tracking running in background (recording a log to merge with DSLR pictures)
- or possibly satnav app running esp if WALKING (if driving am not touching phone!)

When running these I have a habit of quickly flicking -- for example between web pages, or perhaps between a web page and a contact. I may cut/copy text

Typical is probably 6-8 windows

There's also a variety of more hidden/background apps rnuning, including of course fmms, but also apps to manage connections, IM,etc

Re: How do you use multitasking in N900?
 

I tend to keep dashboard clean, rarely open more than 3-4 apps at once. Main reason - performance, or more precisely - lack of thereof. With just 256MB of RAM and plenty of swap, it doesn't take too long to bring N900 down to its knees, especially while browsing web! I strongly hope that N9 (or however first MeeGo/Harmattan device decides to call itself) will get decent amount of RAM, 512MB is an absolute minimum...