I think renting a bunch of rooms isn't equitable to providing developer discounts in the same way the poster intended it. Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think the point was to make the device more accessible.. not the rooms.

Indeed, this IS an interesting topic. I think it's been resurrected several times, usually with the same several specific points of listening to consumers/community and that they want, openness and support (replacement hardware parts.. from stylus to kickstand to screen and so on). I think this thread about whether or not someone will buy the N900 might be just as appropriate as any to discuss it in the general, as it still seems relevant to the topic, but the specifics have already been stated many times even in the recent past. I'll leave it to you to see whether you've noticed them, as I'm sure you have.

Edit: I see Texrat made it easy to find several related topics. THANKS!