Well you could get by w/o the card reader, you can use your N800 as a reader when your card isn't inuse. And I recommend using a LiveDVD linux if you are a PC guy. The true is you can get by w/ a LiveCD, but something might came up short w/ it. Also, if you an old HD laying around, and your PC is decent enough, grab a USB chassis for like $15-20 buck, and slap the linux on there, compile your own kernel, and voila, you got your own external USB HD w/ linux on it.