I would like to make some discussion this thread. This will be some summary from some posts too. And I really ask hard working people on this project - please excuse me, please don't blame me.

We have N900 delayed many times. We know, that it won't have such things like MMS (at least during first days) or it will need enabling BT to listen FM Radio. Some people are afraid, that screen won't be protected against scratching...generally we know about more and more disadvantages of this product. And other companies are creating/announcing new and new models in this time.

My question is: company has got experiences from many previous models. MMS - few years, the same creating "mobile computers" (yes, it was used by marketing since N95 or earlier with Communicators). Company has got a lot of money. And my main question: why should we believe that everything will be OK ? That maemo will be continued ?

Nokia showed many times, that isn't interested in helping Open Source developers (yes, many times we tried to get some help in creating Gnokii/Gammu and nothing, since Series 40 3.0 there is even problem with SMS in filesystem). No real SyncML engine (at least I don't know about any).

Many times we had problems with first firmware versions, earlier (before BB5) there were problems with expensive frashing too.

What has changed, that N900 got green light ? And why is so long delayed ? Problems in creating hardware ? Why - I believe, that many company specialists have experiences in creating really similar devices for Symbian for example.

What about other things - for example, will be N900 protected with simlocks ?

I see one possibility: N900 is created by small group of enthusiasts and they don't have too big budget and too big help from other departments. Please correct me, if I'm wrong...but even, when device will be in shops, it will need a lot of work. And of course 3rd party people (like me) will have to do it for free....

I really don't know, what to think about it in this moment.

And I really would like to see something in Nokia's products like in old 5110/3310 (yeah, full netmonitor for example ) or in 6310i. For now I see promises and big price.

Of course, nobody will force me to buy/not buy this device. Maybe it will be better to forget about it ?

My question: excluding brand, what could convince me to connect my future with this system ?

If you don't believe in the promise of the N900 and future plans, and you aren't interested for the sake of adventure, and you don't think that you will learn anything worth knowing by getting and working with one --

I don't see why you should join your future with this system.

Ok I have seen to many of these posts.

My answers

DONT BUY THE GODDAMN PHONE AND **** OFF.

Christ yet another whiny prick looking for someone to hold their hand as they pour out their little angst against the world

I once answered my own question.

Takes all the fun out of it.

Your post, marcinw, could make sense iff you have put some work into Maemo development -- what specifically did you work on?

uhm well. the most exact answer i can give is: the calendar is pretty good for what i've seen. so.. good future-management. If that is even a term. if it's not, i just created it.

I think you need to look at is as more than a device/gadget. As smartphones become more powerful, they become more than a communication tool, they become a piece of who we are. While it isn't perfect, and doesn't do all that we expect it should, we need to look at it like Nokia is providing us a house, and we have to gather our resources from our family (community) and make it a home.

I know it's not perfect, but I contribute my time and effort, because I want it to be the best it can, and I want to show it off. I don't know why but I have a "relationship" with this phone that goes beyond having a cool device. And being able to say that I somehow helped even in the slightest bit to make it better for others feels great.

A good thing to know both the advantages as well as the disadvantages of a product you're going to buy. It will have disadvantages like any product has. Those who believe the product they're going to buy is flawless and perfect are living in a pink cloud akin to falling in love.

Yeah, and none of them is a viable alternative for me.

Why not? Everything Will Be Okay In The End. If It's Not Okay, It's Not The End.

you think Harmattan which is Maemo 6.0 won't happen? You think the 5 step plan is bullocks? If Maemo would discontinue the whole department would close. People would be fired. Some would be transfered. Do you see that happening? Read on...

Yes, but Nokia also shows they are interested. They have contributed source code, including some closed source such as drivers. They bought TrollTech for example, and are investing in Qt for both Maemo and Symbian. They sponsor Maemo related events. They're developing a product for profit. Its a big sum of + and -. If N900 would turn out to be a complete fail, maybe Maemo would come to an end. But as it is, it seems to create quite some attraction, and not only from open source or Linux enthusiasts. Entirely the point of step 4/5!

My E71 uses SyncML?

Approx one month. According to current data the product is delayed for a minimum of 9 days (assuming 31 October and 9 November) and a maximum of 61 days (assuming 1 October and 31 November). It has to be noted both are extremes (hence 'min' and 'max').

Hardware or software, we don't know. Officially due to 'feedback from 300+ developers'.

Why not? Who cares? Buy unbranded without simlock, or get the thing off when you're legally to do so.

Actually, they're hiring, and I'm pretty sure you can see an increase of employees in Maemo dept.

Ofcourse it needs some cornering of rough edges. In practice, any new device does. What defines a lot of work is up for debate. However, one of the reasons the product is delayed is to lower the initial complaints, the initial reception.

There are methods to get paid too, and if you don't like to work for free don't do it. However, many here contribute while not getting paid.

Clearly, you're much more negative about the product then me. I find your post one-sided not taking into account several important factors, partly unrealistic, and overly negative not taking into account positive factors. As topic starter you could have made a more balanced first post for starting a discussion, but you hardly mentioned any positive aspects, while most of what I wrote is pretty widely available information and known among the community. Although your post is also slightly informative such pertains to past and other Nokia departments, and does not take recent work of Maemo development team into account.

Because all the other options are worse. This platform has the most potency. A Linux kernel with embedded userland, POSIX compliant stack, X11, and GTK/Qt, and tons of other userspace compatible with either open standards, FRAND standards, or Linux standards.

And I'm not gonna say why competitors are worse. Because then it will become a compare thread. Which is OK to do, but we have tons of those. We also have tons of threads where people outline why N900 is best for them. You can read those and decide. Or make yet another. In the end, YMMV, you pick what is best for you.

That might have been a sensible question to ask in the era of the 770 internet tablet, or even with the N800 (less so with that one given Nokia added the "N" to its product name).

There was nothing to suggest that Nokia would continue with the 770. I found it a terrific device with nothing like it to be seen anywhere. But, companies like Nokia dip their toes in the water and are quite prepared to choose to drop something if it doesn't work out. Like the beautiful, but short-lived, series 90 device.

But, the 770 was followed by the N800 and the N810. Now by the N900, which has seen extensive work in the UI/UX and includes a phone which extends the functionality over the previous internet tablets.

The question to ask is - why would one think Maemo would not continue?

OP, If you already have the stance that you've taken, I would say don't buy at all simply because you seem to be a bit more closed-minded than even I am - and that's saying a lot.

I'm willing to let Nokia prove themselves to me; however they will have to do it on my terms - meaning I want to see the stuff that I've been patiently wanting in a platform for a while.

Will I get them all immediately? Nope. Will it happen before I'm likely going to lose my patience? Perhaps not. But to already question as deeply as you have and feel like you're part of a beta test... then pull back from a lot of other products as well.

I've been feeling like a beta tester for ages due to the nature from all things from OS to e-mail to (now) phone. Enjoy the ride or just sit back and decide when you want to jump in.

Up to you. Good luck on making up your own mind on your own terms. That's what I'm personally doing.