Maybe I'm an elitist **** (although I am of the opinion that it is elitist to tell people that they can't do something...and aren't I advising the opposite?)

Catering to the iCrowd will only hold Maemo back.

I'll admit flashing is annoying, especially with the majority of the data storage on the N900 non-removable (SD).

Rather than treating them like a toddler by telling them: "no XZY for you, you need to be an adult for that" Why not give step-by-step instructions.

The fact of the matter is that haze, Pidgin, etc. are as of now only available in extras-testing for the Fremantle folks.

Right now you are saying "no AIM for you. You must wait." That is not only ridiculous but absurd to expect people to wait to use something that isn't broken.

It would be different if there were already an older version of the package available in extras while the newest was in testing.

Now as I recall, there used to be links posted (I do not know if this is still the case) that would allow one-time use of a specific repository, so as to install a single package (plus dependences) that would open in the Application Manager. I think this would be an acceptable compromise for the current situation, no?

EDIT: For example this link won't permanently add the repo to the list, will just install the package from that repo: http://p7230.homelinux.com/os2008/danger/pidgin.install (yes, I know I am a horrible, horrible person)