One significant milestone that I think would signal how much mono has progressed is its presence on an embedded device that is also a mobile computing platform. I am talking about the Nokia 770. Thanks to Paolo Molaro and Geoff Norton, this was achieved back on September 20, 2005.
This original release was more of a proof of concept. One could argue that this was a release aimed at developers, since it was shipped as a compressed tar file. The Nokia 770 does not make it easy for end users to install and/or configure applications distributed in that way.
Now, in February 2005, mono has reached a new milestone in this field. Paolo Molaro has put together a Debian package with the latest mono version that end users of the 770 can easily install and uninstall cleanly.
Some of changes since the original tarball include: a broken down directory structure that more closely mirrors mono deployments on other platforms like Linux and Windows, refreshed binaries that are based on mono 1.1.13 (compared with the first incarnation that used 1.1.9) and GAC runtime support.
However, this accomplishment also opens the gates for mainstream mono application development and deployment on the 770. To capitalize on this new development, I have created a tutorial tittled:
Creating a Nokia 770 Debian Package for a Mono Application
This is a first pass at this subject. If the community finds it useful, I will consult with Miguel de Icaza to see if he would like it included in the mono-project Wiki.
As usual, your comments are always welcome.
I have returned to my Cingular Wireless roots after 6 years of good service from Verizon Wireless.
The reason for the change is my new fascination with the Nokia 770. I was searching for a Wireless telecom company that would have a robust GSM network and good partnership with Nokia.
In the end, I bought a Nokia 6682 mobile phone. As it turns out, Cingular has a rate plan that gives you unlimited Internet access for only $19.95 a month.
In other Nokia 770 related news, Paolo Molaro has created a mono Debian package for the Nokia 770. This new package has updated mono components and even does a deployment of the mono directory structure that resembles other mono platforms. It even has GAC support now.
I hope to honor him and the rest of the community with a little tutorial on how to create Mono Application Debian packages for the 770. I am only waiting on his review and the final touches on the mono-nokia package to make the URL public.
I highly recommend that you see the movie:
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room