CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

Hello,

I got me a n900 to toy around and get used to maemo.
Would like to start out with flashing the device. I'd like to know whether you'd suggest a linux/maemo newb to start out with CSSU (stable or test?) or rather go with the last nokia vanilla version? Found everything I'll need to know here I guess:
http://wiki.maemo.org/Updating_the_firmware

I'd like to use swipe and zoom gestures that seem not to be present by default.

As maemo.nokia.com redirects to http://swipe.nokia.com/ and http://swipe.nokia.com/applications/ is also n9 exclusive - ovi store seems to be the easiest way to get programs for starters?!

Thanks!

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

forget ovi store, check use the extras repos, and id say use CSSU stable.

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

with extras repos you're refering to http://maemo.org/downloads/Maemo5/ ?

could you please point out shortly what makes CSSU better?

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

We have already many threads about CSSU, including one brand new. Don't need to repeat same arguments over and over, just use search, please.

BTW, IMO he suggested, that CSSU is *better*, not *inferior*.

/Estel

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

In my personal opinion, if you're completely new to Linux, I would stick with vanilla Maemo just to start with. The CSSU fixes some bugs, but also introduces a variety of new features (some of which are not well documented), and that demands a bit of extra learning on your part. There's absolutely nothing wrong with using vanilla Maemo, I still do myself.

The web browser, Microb, has the right-swipe-for-pointer, left-swipe-for-history, and swirl-to-zoom gesures in it. But most other applications don't use those gestures.

Nokia has more-or-less dropped support for Maemo at this point, so probably the best place to find software right now is the Extras repository. This repository should already be enabled in your application manager, no matter which version of Maemo you choose; so just open it and browse the selection there to find new apps.

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

Thanks for your answer Estel, not sure why I wrote "inferior" as I understood it as "better" :rolleyes: - fixed it.

I will look up the CSSU threads.

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

i would suggest you start with the vanilla Maemo until you feel comfortable with X-Terminal (apt-get, aptitude, dpkg and all that sort of rubbish)
(tip: install mc (midnight commander) if you want to dive into X-terminal (which you should probably do BEFORE tackling CSSU))
personally i have two N900, one which i use as my mobile phone (/ pocket computer) and the other as a testbed for, well, lately i was testing the most recent version of Kernel Power, battery patch, speed patch and the like... so, i though after reading "that other thread were everything is explained..." (that about summarizes the discussion over there :D) that i would throw CSSU into the lot; the device was working without problem PRIOR to CSSU; after installing CSSU, the only thing that i could do was... reflashing :mad:
thus, my advice (after over 1 1/2 yr of N900 and over 15 yrs of Linux / GNU) stick to vanilla for now

btw, welcome to the N900 community and lot of fun with your device :)

EDIT: in all fairness, even while re-flashing it, i thought that i should give CSSU... a fair chance on a "clean" device, that is without all the other things; especially FCAM, considering that CSSU also updates the camera feature....
have to look into that :cool:

then again, if i have to choose between CSSU and FCAM, i guess i'll go for FCAM
@ least it has (described) features, whereas CSSU...:rolleyes:

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

First of all, thanks for your nice welcome ;)
Yes, what you suggest sounds like the way to go for now.

When browsing http://tablets-dev.nokia.com/nokia_N900.php I was wondering if I have to install RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin and then add RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin ?

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

First of all, thanks for your nice welcome, good to see some humor around here :p
Yes, what you suggest sounds like the way to go for now.

When browsing http://tablets-dev.nokia.com/nokia_N900.php I was wondering if I have to install RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin and then add RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin ?

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

before you do anything you should install backup menu and make a full backup of opt and root

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=63975

once you have this installed you can easily restore your system to the condition it was in when making the backup without flashing

also use the power search on the right under the 2 banner ads the forum search sucks

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

If you're concerned about trying raw untested updates, then I highly recommend you try the CSSU Stable version. CSSU brings many bug fixes, a replacement Camera UI (research this though), and portrait mode, amongst other updates. Considering how you're starting from a freshly flashed device (btw make sure you flash both the eMMC and the kernel - it's all in your link), I don't think there's any real harm in trying CSSU. I fully endorse Mike's advice to install and use Backupmenu - it's probably THE most important piece of software you can install on it.

Have a read through the following thread for a discussion on the issue:
talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81522

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

First of all, thanks for your welcome - good to see some humour around here too ;)

Yes, I will most likely go with you suggestion to try myself on vanilla to get the basics.
Just wondering as I browse http://tablets-dev.nokia.com/nokia_N900.php if I just have to pick RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin and will be set or if I'd also need to upgrade it with RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin ?
Something I couldn't figure out from reading the faq on http://wiki.maemo.org/Updating_the_firmware.

Again thanks!

tried to install it but I get a message of missing program packages:
bootmenu
tar.gnu
i2c-tools
mtd-util

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

download RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin
and
RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin

then flash the EMMC FIRST with command
and as soon as it finishes
(the commands have to be on ONE line, obviously...)

this should provide you a factory grade software configuration.
personnaly, i find it less cumbersome to do that whenever something goes wrong & then restore my settings (& installed programs) from a backup (the safe in the application menu; this requires of course that you either make the backup on a mSDHC card of copy it off the EMMC before re-flashing it & put it back afterward)
then using backup_menu; tried it once but somehow didn't work out for me :(
and it's not like i'm not "reflashing" my OSes on my PC(s) routinely with partimage or FSARCHIVER :confused:

nota bene: backup does not save your programs, it only saves the list; restoring them requires a network connection (preferably Wi-Fi, obviously) so that the latest versions can be downloaded anew...

EDIT: the errors about missing dependencies you got when trying to install b-m probably came from that you tried to install it from the link provided in the post; you need to add the repositories (catalogs in NOKIA's parlance); @ least extra-testing (and if you are not easily scared... dev :p)
go to this page with your N900 (there are links to install the catalogs automatically)
http://www.nokiadistrict.com/reposit...or-nokia-n900/

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

I finally got it flashed successfully. Had to remove the battery between 13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin and 36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin installation.
I'm just wondering why I was greeted with the correct time and date as the n900 started up again supposed to be a clean install.
Still I get "First steps" displayed...wondering where I can check if both have been installed successfully .bin's?

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

if everything went as stated in the wiki ...flasher connecting uploading images blah blah it installed fine. Ive flashed plenty of times and it has kept time and date

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

Enjoyed the device the last days. Working in program manager takes ridiculous long until it displays anything at all or something was installed and the view is supposed to refresh; easily 3 minutes+.
I ran into two problems yet.
My sd card doesn't seem to be recognized I tried to mount/unmount (mount /dev/mmcblk1p1) it but there is none recognized at all. In file manager none is displayed either, also did root before.

Yes, I went through various threads, been in x-terminal to type into the commands, removed the back - watched the lines, nothing about mmc. I've tried two different sd cards, both are fine on windows and another nokia (symbian) phone.
When I tried fdisk I was asked for a password and 12345 was not accepted. That should be the default pass, no?
Is there some starter thread I've missed?

I had to mount MyDocs first before it was recognized when I installed via sh command too - strange.

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

Ext2/3 mmc has to be mounted manually. FAT get mounted automatically, but no eXecutable etc rights can be set on files, so your decision.
For Faster Application Manager I would suggest Faster Application Manager (FAPman).

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

If you had a SIM in, it could have gotten it from the tower. If not, it does have a real-time clock built in that does OK at tracking time. The only time you really lose it is when the battery has been out for a while (>5 mins).

As for the password not being default and such... that would indicate you didn't flash correctly. The wiki has lots of advice on that one. :)

Re: CSSU vs. Vanilla
 

I created patch for CSSU (ke-recv) to automount all filesystem types, not only FAT. And patch can also mount FAT part with exec mode.

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...&postcount=111