Thanks for the response, Neil. I have a Sprint PPC 6700 phone that runs Windows Mobile, and while it is quite "capable," I've had the same experience that it seems rather unresponsive and just not very well "integrated" at times. My finance has a Palm Treo 650, and -- while it doesn't have as many bells or whistles -- it does seem to work much more smoothly and almost never requires a hard reset (whereas this happens probably a couple times a month for me).

Everyone does seem to rave about the N800's WiFi abilities...

It seems bizarre that the N800 apparently has a poorer video interface at the hardware level than the N770 did, though, doesn't it? (The posts about it being very difficult to get full-motion video out of it.) I think I'm kind of resigned to the idea that, if I buy an N800, I should count on Nokia releasing an N900 next year some time and then upgrading.

---Joel

Ah, thanks! I hadn't clicked before because I figured the linked pages were going to tell me that, yes, you can use Python and C++, which I already knew. :-)

I noticed that the OP asked about NNTP news readers while the (only) response was about the RSS news reader.. not quite the same thing!

I haven't seen any NNTP reader for the N800 (although one could be hidden inside one of the bigger 3party multi-function apps for all I know), but if the demand is there there are several that could be ported. Maybe 'pan', which is a gtk2-based reader: I haven't looked at it, but gtk2 is what N800 uses.

I own several PDAs. What I like best with my N800 compared to the PDAs are battery- and screen related:
1) The N800 screen is just much better.
2) Except in sunlight.. My Palm T3, for example, has a transflective screen, which means it suddenly gets readable if it's put in direct sunlight. The N800 doesn't have a transflective screen, i.e. indoor is best (and stick to the shadows outdoor)
3) The N800 can stay on wi-fi all day and more, and the connection is alive too.. I get my emails, google talk chats etc. coming in. None of my PDAs can do anything even close - they simply can't be used that way. Maybe the smartphone-PDA devices with wi-fi is better in this respect, but I don't own one of those.
4) I have to keep remembering to charge my PDAs every few days, if I forget they lose all information. Doesn't happen with the N800, you don't lose anything even if you remove the battery. For PDAs you would need non-volatile memory to do the same (e.g. newer Palm and Treos, or some smartphones). I'm constantly running a backup program on my T3 just in case I get a hard reset or a battery runout, and I've still managed to lose important information. With the N800 I can be much more relaxed.
5) The calendar, and some of the other PIMs on my T3 is better than what I can use on the N800. The PDA is a better PDA, the N800 is an excellent internet device. Slightly different beasts.

Okay you guys have all but convinced me to buy a N800, I have one question;

Is their Software I can get my hands on that will allow me to edit .doc or other text files, .xls or other spreadsheet files?

I don't consider myself a programmer or a power user, I am an endurance user. I used an modded Apple 2 (The last serious hacking I have ever done) until 93, a Windows 3.1 system until 1998, 95 until 2001, and 98 until 2004.

I just lost my Second Windows CE/Mobile device due to hardware failure. I use the hell out of Word, Excel and Notepad. (45,000 word novella written on an Axim x3i) and I am looking for a replacement device. My Dell Axim x3i Pocket PC was my device of choice, unfortunately Dell no longer sell them and I can't afford 900.00 dollars on E-Bay. Thanks

Pan works nicely on the N800. I use it often.

R.
==

There is an older version of Abiword that works for doc files, but you almost certainly won't be happy using it. For spreadsheets, Gnumeric works nicely. For text files, I use Leafpad, but MaemoPad (and MaemoPad+) is a good text editor too.

R.
==

There is a few X3i's on eBay for $195 last I checked.

I know there is Abiword on the N800 and I believe that opens .doc documents.

You'll find the N800's screen to be simply amazing compared to pocket pc's, but the software is a little immature. Though I expect the next 6 months to be a good time for the little tablet, as Nokia claims they are going to give it a good push.

Considering you keep your devices around for years, a linux device such as this should provide a good platform to grow with.

DO NOT!!!! plan on using the N800 to read or edit MS Word documents or do real email. For me, this is what kills the N800. It is great for browsing some websites while I am in bed or on the throne, but other than that, you need e phd to get the limited software available to even install on the device or work. For examle, everyone tells me that abiword works on the N800 but it will not install on my N800 from the repository to which I was directed in this forum, nor will Gneumeric install for me.

If the $400 bucks or so is no big deal, then go for it, but be prepared to take a lot of time to get things to work. The people on this forum are superb, but I don't have the time to devote. Perhaps you do. Good luck.

- Mark

p.s. I wish Nokia would pay Citrix a lot of money to make a client for the N800. Now that would change everything overnight.

It really depends on what you wish to do with the device. In my opinion pocket pc devices are better for business than the internet tablet.

Amen to that!