hi Gary!

haven been here for long, but lurkin around since nov 2009, since I got my N900, I must say that if some of your points are true (nokia loosing head, missing the train, this board abandoned buy heavy and reliable posters, not all thus...) I disagree totally with your thought concerning the n900:
I'm a mid 40's, being around computers since... well always ;-), a Linux user and supporter since the early beginning, and a *nix environment worker. I'm not a heavy "phone" user but I can do with my N900 all that I need, I can say truthfully that I don't use my laptop anymore, it is covered with dust! In that sense, I can say that with this "mobile" Nokia gave us a present, and with the effort and the time of all the talented community, the geeky tweaks and fine tunes done, this is (at least for me and for now) an unbeatable device. It sure lacks many things, and we could argue a life time of what is perfect, what should be and what will be, but the same goes for everything, and even for everyone...
I hope you'll find your way with your decision, but I just wanted to let people know that the N900 is a beautiful and useful device that for now nothing can replace.