Have a N800 since a number of year, I's m not happy with modern mobiles. They do a lot of things I didn't ask for and they run out of battery.

Is there any N800 users left ?

Tips on

• Identify version of OS or confirm OS2008
• Is there some more modern OS than OS2008 to install on N800?

I can feel endsormean is already on the way

None that I know of. But then again, I'm not an N800 user.

Easy Debian used to run on top of Maemo back when qole was still active, and I believe my Wheezy/armel image should run on the N800. [1]
I might even be able to provide a compatible Jessie/armel image if you tell me your kernel version.

But I must warn you, it's slow on the N900 and will be even slower on the N800. So I'd like you to test the Wheezy image first and see if you find it acceptable before I upload a Jessie image.
Both would be outdated by today's standards, but at least Debian still releases security fixes for Jessie (although I wouldn't trust that they actually work as intended on top of the even more outdated underlying Maemo system).


[1] http://qole.org/files/

@ Chen...
hahahahaha...

welllll
if I weren't so bloody busy at the moment...between work and winter preparations for my chalet..
I probably would have been the 1st to respond..
I am sure come mid to late december...things will calm for me and I imagine I will be here more than once every other day or once a day...

@taspts

you know as well as I ...being n8x0 users ...that with them...it has been about what use you wish to put to the devices.
expectation of competing toe to toe in the arena of the current devices...
I don't even try.
What the n8x0 excels at ..the modern devices cannot come close....not yet anyway.
Also..
My uses tend not to be those of the modern social media and cloud based app variety...and I assume the same could be said for you and others as well.
That being said ..I always found it fun to play with various os, wm, and de alternatives.

If the desire is browsing...you know the schtick ...iceweasel via easy deb is an option...slow but functional (yet again in compare to current devices )..(though it has been a while since I used it ..so I am not sure at this current time ...just how functional it is..on the n8x0...) and there are other options that are more pared down for browsing...if the shiny glam isn't a desire or a necessity in your browsing..

As far as your initial questions . specific.
there is only one os that is current and functional on the n8x0 ..
((o' course ..maemo diablo turbo is still the best for most non-web based work (in specific ref. to browsing)...with a large repository of programs compared to others that had or have issues and fewer apps that are also much outdated and currently un-maintained..))
and that would be ..
Inferno OS

http://www.vitanuova.com/inferno/index.html


and actually ...considering the heart of your questions
...

"Identify version of OS or confirm OS2008"

I would assume that if you haven't identified and/or need direction IN identifying..which version you are running..
It is possible from surmising that you haven't flashed it, reflashed it, installed or used xterm to determine the identity of the version.
Ergo...it I further assume you may possibly be using a variant pre-2008 .
If you look under the menu and go to your "control panel " there should be an easy to view info button which will tell you the basic device information quickly that you wish to know.


"Is there some more modern OS than OS2008 to install on N800?"

Maemo - wise ..yes there is ....
and that is diablo turbo which is 2011-ish ...
So...if you are using 2008 stock diablo...
I suggest following the comprehensive walkthrough...do all the necessary...install it on an card......and get your n800 up to speed ...you would enjoy diablo turbo much more than stock ...
I am sure.

My memory needs some refreshing, thanks @endsormeans

The OS is OS2008 version 5.2010.33.1

I have OS2008 Community SSU installed

CSSU and diablo turbo kernel are newer than OS2008 but they aren't "more modern". They just fix some issues and add a few optimizations.

For simplicity, I used the exact phrasing of the question asked...without complicating the answer for the poster.

2008 stock vs 2011-ish cssu and turbo ....
"newer" , "just fix some issues and add opt. " vs "more modern"

Poh-tae-toes ...Poh-tah-toes

2011 being "more modern" ..."more recent"..."newer" ....than stock ...
..is all the same verbiage in the end.

It is a dispute of similarity ..
and of course you are completely correct auouymous.

Past all that.
taspts
-It is highly suggested to do do a fresh flash of stock,
-then ONLY install xterm and console tools v1 (for ease of use.)
-then copy the fresh install to card with console tools.
-then on the card ...on your copy of the stock diablo ..install cssu, diablo turbo , telescope and a few others ..
-then install whatever you desire as well on said card..
-then using console tools make a backup and tuck it away on a hard drive somewhere...

endso,
Based on my experience with what people usually refer to as "more modern", I have learned to apply a simple rule of thumb:

"more modern" == "more crippled".

Simples.

With modern I mean a recent ssl ssh library and means to build needed packages.

Not necessary, with "more modern" at least I mean a device has more recent kernel and gcc, hence allowing me to build later versions of things I need.