I love the N810. But:

Wrong.

From the perspective of 48 years of programming, and as a personal computer software publisher starting in 1980, I think you're mixing up examples at all stages of consumer polish. DOS and core linux were products for experimenters and hobbyists, not consumers.

What we're discussing here is whether the N8x0, in its current state, is a DOS or a Windows 95. Is it a product for hobbyists and software professionals, or is it ready for savvy consumers who don't do command line?

The issue isn't just bugs, it's the overall user experience. IMO the more serious problem is the level of polish on the software.

I see all those killer apps now.

I didn't see them when I opened the box and fired up my N810 two long weeks ago. I had to discover this online community, use the search function, learn about the alternate repository workaround, and install a bunch of apps, some of which (like claws-mail) replace placeholder apps that don't give the user much functionality.

I had to figure out how to tweak some features in the Nokia-supplied software that had inconsistent UIs, limited functionality, and no documentation other than help windows that could only be popped up once the menu item was discovered.

And because I'm not comfortable hacking at the linux command level, I am handcuffed in realizing more of the capabilities of the unit.

So - does this sound like a product ready for the consumer market?

It is a product for the hobbyist, the early adopter, and the linux hacker.

What excites and frustrates a lot of us is that with a good level of attention paid to polishing little details in the user interface, and filling out some of the features that are available but over-limited, it could be a killer consumer product.

That IMO is the most important point of this thread.