Hi!

I've been thinking and realised that Maemo is not very customisable.
Seems like a flat OS that may have been slightly rushed (GUI/User Interface).

Why?

It's just not very customisable!

I want to be able to change the (6 dot) menu icon. I can't even change that. I want to add a debian swirl. Maybe an animated one.

I also think that the way the applications are just "thrown" all into one big page is an easy option for Nokia - to me, it's just MESSY and lazy.
Don't tell me that we can rearrange the icon's now that 1.2 is out.
We can, it can still be better.


We need to be able to add an extra "start/app menu" button for a quick selection of programs.

Even the hackers/developers for the iPhone have added an extra menu (SBsettings).

Maemo's best features are pretty much just Shortcuts or Widgets!
I have seen the customization website for maemo.

I think you can. You just haven't looked

I have been looking, but another part to my rant... Even if it can be changed, you have to get so far into the device!
It should be an option in the system like all other Linux distro's!

Have you had a look at the Mods thread?

This is the issue, why should you have to NEED to be in root (if in xterm) to be able to change an icon!?

I am looking at the http://wiki.maemo.org/Customizing_Maemo Customize Maemo wiki and it show's how to change some icons (battery) but you need to be in root and find a different file browser (as standard won't let you past MyDocs).

It is so much extra effort that what should be required.

Well duh.

Look at windows, you need to have administrator privileges to make changes in control panel.

Installing programs requires you to put in a password. Nobody wants you to brick your phone. Linux requires you to be in root for a lot of things. I don't see why this is a problem.

If being root is a problem for you, then I really think you got the wrong phone.

I'm pretty sure they needed root access for that.

No, mate.
There is no icon I can not change in any of my Linux distro's that I need root for!

My iphone example was only in there to show that it is even being done on a non linux, closed source system. iPhone was not added because it's better in any way. Just as an example of an extra menu added.

Also.
Windows is just F**K*D! I did say it's not very customisable for a linux OS.

I don't why being root is such a huge problem. TBH

It isn't.
I can't access anything other than MyDocs via USB.
I can't access the start menu button icon (can't find it) by xterm.
My gripe it more the fact that you can not just customise it by click and hold like all other linux distro's.
I can't even find any customise software.

Is there any way have full access to the whole eMMC (not just MyDocs) via usb/mass storage mode?

Copy the theme into a new folder that "user" has write permissions to. As root (one time only) create a symbolic link from the original place the theme was to the new location.

Then as user, modify the theme as you like.

This is linux, it is open. You can do what you like. It is also a product, and some effort has been made to avoid people making a mess of things because they are more familiar with iphones.