Thanks for all your replies, esp Geneven, Naranek, HeebieJeebie – I think you understand my issues, probably been through the thought process already. I had spent quite a lot of time searching through these forums before posting my first post, but was still struggling.

Regarding software, I had tried the icon at the top of the page and looked at the site (http://downloads.maemo.org/) but it is very light on the applications I want. In the Windows world (please don’t shout if I swear!) there are many applications, some well documented so you can judge whether there is a chance of the package doing what you want before installing – and that is typically done by an .exe file.

Taking Naranek’s point about Linux is just different, what is the normal way of searching out and downloading & installing applications (like add/remove sw). It looks to me that this is done by an application manager on the N800 which looks at repositories – my N800 seems to have 3 – two Catalogues from Nokia and the Maemo Repository. So does clicking on “Browse installable applications” show me everything there is out there (not much) or should I add other repositories? If so how do I find them? If there an alternative way in the Linux world? I guess I can then experiment with various packages.

Flash 9: I thought that this came with the latest OS (I have 4.2007.26-8) but when I go to the US Tennis Open site I again get a message that I must install Flash 9, like the others I mentioned earlier. I think another site said I had to download a .tar files, whatever that is. Any ideas how I get Flash 9 capability for web sites?

Real Player plug-in: as above for Flash 9.

Geneven mentions the Microb browser. Is this better than the browser that comes with the N800? Do these browsers need plug-ins and if so how do I get & install them?

Thanks for you help. Like some others on this site I’m a consumer rather than a techie and don’t have a lot of time to experiment. I’m going to persevere as this form factor is ideal for a portable device. To start with I need to get the wifi browsing working properly (not for home use, more for hotspots – I’d go for something like the PepperPad for home-couch use as it has a bigger 7” screen http://www.pepper.com/solutions/web-devices.html) and also some off line apps like watching my DVDs and typing up notes while travelling (trains & planes). I’ve already found it good for watching video podcasts I’ve downloaded.

Like some others, I think that there needs to be v. good sync’ing with MS Outlook to get the take up I assume Nokia are looking for when they release a device like the N800 (unless this is an R&D exercise). Interesting comments & thread elsewhere on this site from Jeff Mings The N800 _MUST_ have a good PIM to succeed http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ead.php?t=4788. I also saw this on the web - Adopting Linux mobile devices in the enterprise http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/...4302&zoneid=40

Other philosophical issues: most people need to eat and live a little, which takes money. The best apps will come when you programmer guys & girls can earn some money from them. I for one don’t mind making donations (and have done) for software that is truly useful to me, that save me time during the day. (Not games!!)

As others have mentioned, I came to the view some time ago that I need two devices (and just two). One a slim line phone with BT for calls (I have S40 & S60 phones) and another for everything else. The N800 can make it if the software apps are there, not until. Until then my Axim X50v lives on.