Since this message became the first post in new thread, I'll make a short list of possible options.

• Debian with Board Support Package
• Replicant
• QtMoko
• SHR

Maemo Fremantle is not an option, since it can bring unwanted licensing issues with Nokia.

My personal opinion is to use Replicant as preinstalled system, as we can grab more attention from internet media as first Replicant preinstalled device.

Original Message:
We can also get more attention as first Replicant device, if neo900 will get it out of box(iirc dos1 suggested that on irc).

By default with replicant ??good idea as the shipping os but maemo might get a setback though

I did say make a tv commercial

Sorry, maybe that's caused by 3 almost sleepless nights, but I think I don't understand

Isn't the original GTA04 capable of running Replicant? Well, TO BE HONEST, Neo900 is still a GTA04 variant, so... why not Or maybe - first Replicant device with keyboard (/infrared/whatever else can be added to call it the first one)? Either way, I think I'm going off topic, I'm just going to shut up now (of course I will reply if anyone replies to my posts and I'll feel that I should reply).

misiak and nokiabot both are dead on the money...release the inner shameless advertising beast !
Do it right and it will look awesome....otherwise do it very very very badly so it is still awesome in a clever satire aimed at appealing to the intelligence in people.
Frankly it is simply a matter of looking at the sitch. from a different angle...
Spindoctor misiak ...ain't glossin it. There is truth in what he's saying.
Saying it like...Things aren't working in their current way...blablalah...doesn't inspire my blood...
Alllll in the Approach.....This is a better method than a full refund...This is better to have one parent body...This is better for transparency...This is better showing off all the cool crap like replicant and sending/receiving calls and stuff...The Visuals realllly help...worked for me .

Only thing left to the banner advertising idea is two hot bikini babes...one holding a beer and food and the other coffee and ice cream...food and sex in advertising go surprisingly well together.

Nokiabot and misiak got my vote.

I didn't see it before...It took you saying it...and it hit me..

Considering Replicant appears to work fine on the gta04 board and the neo900 board is a variant of the gta04 board so Replicant should work too.

I don't think maemo would be set back by default replicant preinstalled any more than debian preinstalled...Everyone in the community who is rooting for the neo900 release is aware and waiting for the release of "free-mantle" as the important step toward integration of machine and os....and that may be post neo900 1st run device deployment....

BUT! There is a HUGE advantage to be made at this time.

Just my suggestion here....butttttt....
DON'T release the device with Debian pre-installed (if not possible...then at least NOT JUST debian)

Flog the advertising of the neo900 coming preinstalled with Replicant...

The number of potential buyers will only shoot upward...it is simply the numbers.

Appealing initially only to people who understand debian...and those who know maemo makes for a small minority of the potential sales which could be achieved.

The average...(or above average...even exceptional) consumer...who is interested or curious in trying something different hardware wise will take a chance ...
but os - wise will probably not if the unfamiliar hardware comes with unfamiliar os install instructions ....
AND an os they are unfamiliar with (debian or even free-mantle maemo oriented..if it ever came preinstalled..or even with goof-proof instructions) .

For most consumers it's about familiarity...ease of use...and simplicity.

When people shop for a smartphone...they buy it ...turn it on...and use it....immediately...they don't normally have to install ....or even think about an os instruction booklet...they just hit the power button.

I think offering the debian operating system preinstalled will not be a lure for the buyer who wants to change brand loyalty to us...nor the noob we could have sold to. New buyers...New blood...new learning curve for alot of people...making it easier for them would certainly help. ....Them and Us.


The number of Android users is HUGE!
And Replicant is something they can easily UNDERSTAND and KNOW!!!
The additional options of alternate os's (debian, arch, free-mantle, etc...) is just icing on the cake ...A great way of introducing new people to the os's we love...eeeeaaaaseee them into it.

It is only a win.

Android has been tearing away marketshare from Windowsphones and BB's and Iphone for YEARS.
Now HERE is a HUGE opportunity to tear away some of Android's marketshare.

It's only a win.

We haven't decided on the preinstalled OS. The original idea was to just provide a hardware and to let user decide and maintain the software on his own, just like on PC, but if it turns out that there is already some nicely working image available when Neo900 goes into production then we may consider preinstalling it. Maybe even letting user decide which OS should be preinstalled?

We didn't put much thought into this yet TBH.

THAT was a darn good reason!

Heyyy... idea of potential option of buyers flavour of os preinstalled is a nice one...! I think putting disclaimer..(esp. considering anyone can flash and erase the preinstalled os) that though you (the makers of the neo ..) can offer the os...BUT maintaining the os or changing it is completely the buyers responsibility and your liability begins and ends right there.
I'm sure whatever the os is...considering it will be a flashable device (naturally)...such disclaimers will be in bold type. ...ALLL over the box and wrapping ...

Better having potential options than the device blank or with only 1 os option ...
esp. debian
don't get me wrong here...I love debian...
it's great...personally I use it all the time...I just think it may be too highbrow for the noob...nor smartphone consumer-ready friendly...for those buyers who just want it to start up and run it out of the box....you know...person on the go...busy busy.....2 1/2 kids,wife,job,golf,jetski,boat in the garage and RV in the driveway....just wants to turn on the new toy kinda-buyer...(the ones with the money ...that want this cool stuff and don't think twice about the amount.....they just don't "got" (code for "make" ) the time.....

Btw dos1 ....more wicked neo-vids with good tunes man!
...I'm hooked
....my visual cortex is hungry

Please leave the device blank - or base kernel/CLI interface.

I would like an empty device (or power on to a prompt - Would love that actually!) and just have a link to all the OS's currently available (at that time).

That's a good idea!...the power on to prompt and viable os links...
Myself...depending on os availability and functionality...
If there are choices...
I'm going to be like a kid in a candy store.
I'm gonna have a hard time choosing.

Boy.....THAT does sound nice to my ears...
the words ..."...having a choice...".