Notices

One of the reasons for buying the N900 is that I expected a lot of third parties and user supplied software. When I inspect the programs available for download on http://maemo.org/downloads/Maemo5, I find a list of a few dozen of rather bloodless applications.

Is it true that there are more applications in 'extras', or is the 'extras' list already included in this list with downloads?

The wiki tells me that I should go to the downloads page and select 'extras', but there is no link like that in the downloads page.

NB: I use my PC to browse the lists, because it is easier than the tablet.

Paai

The main page for maemo 5 downloads list a few of the highest rated and the newest apps. Look around on it and you should see the "more" links (right under the description of the first apps). This will take you to the full list of 100+ apps.
You should still install using the app manager on the device, since it also handles dependencies for you

The N900 is still pretty new, but there is a decent selection of apps that are ready and stable, and lots more coming down the pipe, so to speak. As the previous poster said, the App Manager is the place to go; the website is just a prettier frontend to it. On that topic, the App Manager could probably use a makeover, but installing and removing apps should be fairly straightforward. Its heritage is Linux's package management system which (to put it very imprecisely) is kind of like the "app store" model in that everything is centralized (rather than random "setup.exe" files scattered across the web). Any applications that are ready and tested will show in there, and both system and application updates can be downloaded through there as well. You may hear of upcoming apps being in extras-testing or extras-devel -- don't mess with those if you don't know what you're doing, or if you want your phone to work

You didn't do your research, did you? Prior to release it was made quite clear that there weren't a lot of apps: It's a new device, and a new platform (for all that it's still Maemo, anything from Maemo4 needs updating to run on Maemo5) '

People have worked their socks off to produce those "few dozen rather bloodless applications" and get them out to people quickly. I'm sorry none of them is what you want.

The 110 apps currently in extras are to be found here: http://maemo.org/downloads/updated/Maemo5/25/

There's also a huge number of apps still in the development process, but installing them is not recommended unless you really know what you're doing (These apps may brick your device!)

If there's something you particularly want, feel free to request it, and maybe a dev will pick it up. Alternatively, you could learn to make it yourself. What Maemo doesn't do is try to create a need in you by offering you a great bundle of things you didn't know you needed, and then charging you for them.

What sort of things are you lookng for in particular?

Thanks, Kathy.
As an addendum to that, and my previous post, I would add that while there are less apps than, say, the iPhone, most of them are useful, good quality apps. None of this "99 cent Fart App" garbage...

Merci. I thought the 'more' button was about a single program... Yes, I know that I should install with the Appmanager, but browsing the list on a PC is easier.

Paai

Note also the Categories on the right and that the captions Popular and Fresh are links to the complete lists of popular and fresh applications.