Can't really speak for .net, as I don't use it, but I disagree with the Java sucks comment. There are some REALLY useful apps out there written in Java.

R.
==

Useful apps don't make it a good language...

Actually the company did give me one, they didn't ask

And JAVA (or .NET) is what we program here. For us it's C(++) and Phyton that "suck" guess it's to each his own.

One still hopes the N900 WILL finally be abel to do what a Windows Mobile 5 (or 6) unit can do for a non-Admin this days. In that case I would even accept "Wannabe Unix"(1) based on the "whatever OS does the job" concept.


(1) Unlike many here I don't care much about Linux or GNU. Add in that I keep getting special versions of MS-Software that don't crash every few minutes and I am quite happy with WiMo 5.

One must wonder about a company that gives out devices that don't fit their infrastructure....

My wife isn't a sysop/sysadmin. She's not a unix person (she was a unix _user_ back in the day, but that was 10-20 years ago; these days she never opens the "Terminal" app on her mac).

Yet, she loves her N800. She doesn't have Xterm or anything like that installed on it. Her biggest use for it: pidgin and web browsing, some note taking (lists and stuff). She'll stay connected for IMs, so she doesn't have to carry a laptop nor be tied to her desk ... she'll check things on the web from wherever she is, etc.

For her, the main drawbacks are: she's limited by WIFI (she doesn't have a tethering phone), and she also wants a PIM that she can sync with .mac/iCal.


But, my point is, anyone who thinks that the fact that this is a linux device means in turn that you have to be a unix/linux/sysop/sysadmin to fully appreciate it ... isn't completely in touch with reality.

New words for you: "Experiment" and "Tryout". Add "Looking for possibilities" Got a nice MDA II at the same time since that was a "Known Good" System that I got a lot of use out of (Now replaced the the follow-up with build in GPS etc)

Nokia Tablets had some interesting possibilities back than but failed to realise any from our PoV. Today it is "one among many" and big PDA systems like the Advantage or Shift from HTC look a lot better for many jobs including cross-plattform programming (JAVA)

Well, one can say the same about many a Linux user... But insults aside, most "fans" here go to length showing that they can run XTerms and shells and controll other systems. That is Admin work, more exactly UNIX Admin work.

And maybe whereever you are has better WiFi than I have here in Germany. Fact is I'd be better of with GRPS or UMTS in most cities than with WiFi. Most of our customers don't use WiFi either since they consider it a security risk.

Fact is the stuff I and most of my co-workers need is either not there or not very good.

On the newbie non linux/unix user base (which is probably over 50% of the IT owners ;P), i find it extremely nice to be able to sit around wherever i am, get on the internet and check out the sites i enjoy, or talk on aim via pidgin, and do little pda stuff like todo lists and calenders etc.

I have no use for terminals, scripts etc. Hell i don't even know how to use em haha! But for me the IT is perfect.

I was looking into the eee when i first started shopping, i disliked the flip open design and for my uses a mini laptop really wasn't as portable as i had wanted. I looked into UMPCs which gave super functionality, but since i'm just starting the working world... i don't have a grand to throw at one, then i found the N800 which had what i needed, it was open source and linux (which i am interested in learning more about) and most importantly it could play the role of portable media player, internet browser, instant messenger, AND then i could even play around with all these useful little apps that i normally wouldn't touch.

I can understand why somebody would want an eeepc, i came really close to buying one, but i guess in the end to each their own. We all take what we want out of our devices, the most important thing is keeping them open so we can do with them what we want! For that (and the community of devs and helpful people) i am grateful!

Hey, at least the OP isn't going to an ipod touch from the n800, then you guys have a right to shoot him!

"Any"???

And who is this "our"?



EDIT: okay, lest the Mr Pedantic posts begin again, I realize you must be referring to your work environment.

And not to be an ***, but given the N800's well-understood wide-open potential, if an IT organization grasped that, wouldn't it be in their best interest to start internal custom development for it?

I think the N770, N800, N810 are nice pieces of hardware. I never really looked towards Nokia for software, but that being said, they make valiant effort at giving us something to play with. I know that for some these efforts aren't good enough and therefore you look for other more polished software and hardware to use. Really, it is no reason to shun people that actually enjoy and love their device.

I agree with the points that Mr. Patleeman listed for the usefulness of this device.

For 200 to 250 dollars for the N800 is quite a nice bargain considering other alternatives costs somewhat more. I found out that I get bored of hardware that doesn't allow me to add anything. Playing with the same programs and utilities over and over again makes me lose interest no matter how shiny a gadget is.

Development for IIT devices sometimes seems slow and no progress is made, but a lot of the developers for the ITT's have jobs and are kind enough to spend their time on this device. I applaud their efforts.