What are the advantages of this? I really have no clue...I'm a complete noob (newb) to both the N800 and bluetooth technology. I know one can transfer files back and forth between an N800 and a computer/laptop. Are there any other potential advantages towards this?

I personally don't see any advantage in using Bluetooth to connect the tablet to a laptop. A better method in my opinion is to connect the tablet to a laptop with the USB cable that comes with the tablet.

The USB cable is quicker and faster, and much easier to set up (you just plug it in!).

USB cables also let you do more, for example you can update your tablet's firmware by plugging it into a laptop and running the "Internet Tablet Software Update Wizard".

However, some people prefer going wireless wherever possible, so you can use a Bluetooth connection instead, but the lack of a cable is its only advantage.

Well, it's not trivial to set up USB networking with Windows XP; I've heard that it's impossible, but also that it is merely difficult, so I'm not certain.

But BT is easy, and can give any network service needed.

I thought a laptop-to-N800 Bluetooth connection sounded pretty nifty when I first got my tablet last summer. But when I got it working, I found that the transfer rate was slow and connecting was sometimes hit and miss. The direct USB cable connection has worked great for me. As stated above, just plug it in and access your files (via Explorer if Windows laptop and File Manager on the tablet).

Bluetooth is good for sending individual files... right-click, send to, pick the n800 and go. Works the other way too, using the osso file manager.

I much prefer using ssh over wifi with FileZilla. It's just like having it connected. Drag and drop.

USB? To quote TexRat, "feh!"

Thanks for all the replies. I guess it just depends in the end, and USB is easier because you just plug it in.

I can't find a tutorial on ssh for the N800 anywhere (maybe I'm just not looking good enough?). Any chance you can point me in the right direction?

I brought up the question about bluetooth to a computer because I've read various posts about controlling your computer with rdesktop or doing something else that seemed really useful or just interesting. So I was thinking along the lines of doing something with bluetooth to a computer other than exchanging files. Is anything else even possible? I'm not entirely sure by what I mean by "something"...I guess you can say that in this case it means anything other than exchanging files.

I find USB much more complicated, since it's not a networking connection. Copying files, maybe, as long as your tablet will cleanly unmount the memory card... but you can't be sure of that all the time. Anything else, like remote desktop, ssh, or whatever is quite complex.

Sure, it's actually really easy. First, install the openssh package (This contains references to the server and client packages if my memory serves me correctly). Type in a good root password when prompted.

You should be done! You may have to restart the tablet if it doesn't start up automatically.

On Windows (or Linux for that matter) get FileZilla, and type into the quick connect boxes this info:

Host: sftp://192.168.0.123 (replace with your tablet's IP address)
User: root
Password: [password you chose before]
Port: (leave this blank, it will choose the default)

Now you can browse your tablet's file system without any fussing with cards that can stay mounted.

Yes, it's possible, and a cool project. I think you'll have better success with wifi but don't let that stop you from trying!

P.S. accessing your tablet wirelessly from across the room (or in your jacket pocket) is seriously amazing.

I actually use BT for something else. I have a script on my machine (linux) that will automatically lock the computer if it doesn't detect either my BT cell phone or n800, and unlocks it when they reassociate (it checks ever 10 seconds) there is obviously an over ride if needed but it saves me time not having to unlock and lock everytime I walk away from my desk (I work desktop support so I do this frequently)

I know there's software that does this in the Windows world as well, but don't know what it's called, sorry.