I have some questions about MAEMO and specifically the N900:
How hard is it to replace software on the N900? Are there any pieces of software on the N900 that run on the main processor (i.e. the linux side) that are not replaceable? (as in, does the phone or its software contain anything to stop me replacing the kernel or any apps that run on top of said kernel or any files on the linux file system should I choose to do so)

How hard is it to copy binaries off the device and/or keep backups and/or obtain fixed binaries (e.g. if I want to replace <some binary> on the phone for some reason and want a backup to ensure

Is there a list of all the packages and components that come preinstalled a N900?

Is there any list out there that explains what these packages are for?

Is there a list of which packages are open source and which
packages are not? (and which libraries have their header files and interfaces available)

Where can I download the source code to those bits of the N900 software stack that are open source?

I did some searching and didnt find answers but being new to this whole MAEMO thing I may have missed something.

The idea of a phone where I can run any software I like without going through carrier or manufacturer approval is one I really like (best of all, unlike, say, the FreeRunner, it has somewhat decent hardware and a physical keyboard).

From my understanding, you can replace anything you want but on the kernel side you'll probably be missing the proprietary drivers for some of the devices in the phone...

scp -r / user@remote.backup.machine.com:

... In less technical terms, you have access to every files and can u/l them to the network

Can someone here post their: dpkg -l ?
Otherwise the application manager default list ?
(if that can be extracted without screen shots of every scrolled down window)

Well, it's a whole system, but Google will help you figuring out all those libraries, kernel, apps, ... or apt-cache show on the SDK/device.

Has someone ported vrms ?
But if you really need to know, install the SDK and toy around with it...

Not too sure about this one, not having played much with the SDK yet and without a N900, you'll probably find them on the respective project's page or if we're lucky in the repositories as source packages. (apt-get source)

Here you go. I have been testing some apps from extras-testing, so not all of it came pre-installed.

I don't think it exists, unfortunately. :-/ For general info, see
http://wiki.maemo.org/Why_the_closed_packages

http://repository.maemo.org/pool/

http://repository.maemo.org/stable/f...omparison.html