What to do in Finland? Ideas for our trip, June 4-7 2012?
All the way back in January, we were overwhelmed to learn that MyNokiaBlog would be going to Finland because you guys voted me for your Nokia Community Ambassador.
Thank you again for everyone who voted, it was simply amazing to even be considered amongst all the other nominees in our Nokia Community. This site is the collective effort not only of the writers, but also our readers that interact with our posts, those who share us news/stories/ideas to share with others and those who go on to share our posts with others. MyNokiaBlog would simply not be here at all without you. Thank you!
Because of you guys, we get to go to Finland! I saw we as where ever the blog goes, you are all there in some shape or form 
. It’s only quite right that you have a say in what we get to see and share with you, this includes organizing meetings with Nokia people.
- Who do you want MyNokiaBlog to talk to?
- Who do you have questions for?
- What are your questions?
- What parts of Nokia HQ do you want to see?
- Any tips for travellers to Finland?
I thought I might miss the trip due to exams but Nokia kindly scheduled this trip around me. It was set for March, but that was cancelled for various reasons. It is now pretty much confirmed for June 4th, going back June 7th 2012, just after my summer exams.
Who wouldda thought it huh? I would actually have a use for this book someday http://mynokiablog.com/2009/05/26/clue-number-1-search-for-the-n/
About the Author (Author Profile)
Hey, thanks for reading my post. My name is Jay and I'm a medical student at the University of Manchester. When I can, I blog here at mynokiablog.com and tweet now and again @jaymontano. We also have a twitter and facebook accounts @mynokiablog and Facebook.com/mynokiablog. Check out the tips, guides and rules for commenting >>click<< Contact us at tips(@)mynokiablog.com or email me directly on jay[at]mynokiablog.comSubscribe
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What to do in Finland?
1) If you get a chance to meet Elop – punch him in the face. You’ll make the life of many a Nokia fan, investor and ex-employe a tad bit more cheerful.
2) On a more serious note – sauna is a must, including running naked ‘cross the street (gotta see it to believe it!)
3) Try to dig as much as humanly possible about Meltemi, its relation to Maemo/MeeGo, possibility to extend it to superphone format etc.
4) Same goes with Qt, although I don’t think they’ll know much about the details as the vast part of Qt development has nothing centralized in Finland, except the Trolltech ‘owner’
5) Try to get some exclusive about upcoming technologies from their labs, if there are any people left there – I mean something feasible, probably already heading for production, that can at least cast some positive light in the future when the current lineup is at best – meh.
6) Have fun.
7) Drink salmiakki.
8) Have fun.
9) Pass out.
10) Get back safely
Honestly though,
You’re not qualified to be the nokia community ambassador anymore.
Maybe lumia ambassador or windows ambassador.
Not hating. Just my opinion.
Definitely more so after ali posted that overly biased haters gonna hate post. You’re actually insulting you’re own crowd and shooing them away because they say things that don’t go with what you write.
Some readers here have been following the game before you guys even started writing. Some readers here are closer to the industry than you are.
It wouldn’t hurt to show some respect towards you’re audience.
It’s pretty pathetic and embarassing really.
It might be your blog but like you said WE are the ones who made it.
“Maybe lumia ambassador or windows ambassador.
Not hating. Just my opinion.”
I would have to agree with you. I don’t think I’m cut out to be Nokia ambassador, no. I don’t know anywhere near as much about Nokia as I would like to or have time to learn. I’m more technical than a lot of my friends but no where on the scale in comparison to many of the people here. When I first wrote about the Community Ambassador, I suggested you guys vote for a lot of many other bloggers/nokia personalities. I didn’t mention to vote me as I am not as qualified. I don’t think there is any specific role/requirement though, so in that, I guess it’s OK.
I love Nokia deeply and will shout to the rooftops about them (maybe for about 15 years now), but I will also scold, complain and rant when I feel the need to. I like them so much, I went from talking on forums to starting a blog and with the help of so many people we are still here, being able to now share Nokia related stories with a lot of Nokia fans.
I am sorry that they have picked someone you don’t agree with or like. I have noticed that in a few of your other comments the email you used was “f***jay@co.uk”. Apologies if there is something about me personally that is annoying you or that you are disliking and I am unable to remedy this.
I like Lumia, I like Maemo, I like N9, I like 808. I just like good Nokia products and I will promote NOKIA when ever I can and when I have spare time to do so. I do get that you don’t like WP, we’ve had several exchanges now where any time Lumia might be praised, you’ll be there to shoot it down – even if it is on occasion, misguided. Liking Lumia doesn’t instantly mean we’re paid. It might just mean we like it. Just like I love the 808, and love my N82 and my N95 and my N900 and N8 and 7210 and 3310 etc etc. It might potentially go to other people as well.
http://mynokiablog.com/2012/01/06/stephen-elop-gives-heikki-kovalainenh_kovalainen-a-nokia-lumia-800-tweets-that-its-really-cool-and-best-phone-ive-ever-had/comment-page-1/#comment-440472
“You’re actually insulting you’re own crowd and shooing them away because they say things that don’t go with what you write.”
Link please so I can review? BTW, there may be times that I will write a rant, complaining about Nokia that some agree with and some don’t. The moment we started following the news about WP very early on irked some readers who decided to move on. There will come a time when not everyone will be pleased.
“Some readers here have been following the game before you guys even started writing. Some readers here are closer to the industry than you are.
It wouldn’t hurt to show some respect towards you’re audience.
It’s pretty pathetic and embarassing really.”
Who amongst my readers am I disrespecting? If I have ever done so, please accept my apologies, it was never the intention, BUT nor do I recall doing so.
I am aware that there is a huge wealth of knowledge of people here and I learn so much from their comments, especially those who have had a history with Nokia.
The opinions of other writers are often in sync with my own but at the end of the day, what they write is what they feel. If don’t feel like writing anything, they don’t have to.
“It might be your blog but like you said WE are the ones who made it.”
Thank you for being a reader and a commenter.
I am extremely to everyone who contributes to this blog in what ever way they can. It is a two way thing – it takes a lot of time and effort from our side too, especially since this blog is maintained as a hobby and not as a full time thing so thanks so much for everyone else who shares kind words of appreciation too. The support is very, very much appreciated.
We love all our readers who visit; those who engage in meaningful, respectful, conversation and interact with other aspects of the site; those who find news for us to share, those who go on to share the news we find, those who sometimes end up writing on the blog
.
I think you’re taking it to personal because when I said you are not fit I meant MNB as a whole and not you personally.
Furthermore I don’t get where you’re getting from that I’m a wp hater or that I don’t like it. This is absolutely not true.
I don’t recall ever discussing certainly with you about lumia whatever. Most of the things I do here is I READ. Haven’t commented on Nokia’s Q1 report (which counts 500+) and haven’t commented on Ali’s haters gonna hate post (which counts 200+).
Furthermore I think you seem to assume me being someone which I’m not because this:
” I do get that you don’t like WP, we’ve had several exchanges now where any time Lumia might be praised, you’ll be there to shoot it down – even if it is on occasion, misguided. Liking Lumia doesn’t instantly mean we’re paid. It might just mean we like it.”
I don’t recognize that at all, and I’ve certainley never called you out to be paid. I’ve seen you in posts really really being disrespective to people who are making comments about lumia being bad.
In short you making fun of people who were trolling Lumia.
Saying things like ”Yeah because Lumia is shit right? We couldn’t possible really like it”
I get that you and others and myself get frustated but I expect the writers to be above that. You really let people get to you to much. Which just inspires them more because then you seem even more lumia/windowsphone orientated. And then tey know you weak spot. Act like a professional.
I’ll search for the link(s) so you can review
Found it, here you go:
http://mynokiablog.com/2012/04/16/video-little-kid-talks-about-the-nokia-lumia-900-he-loves-the-phone/
Check yourself out.
You’re being really annoying and disrespectfull. Honestly, we can tell they’re trolls by ourselfs. You don’t have to go and be a troll yourself just to point it out.
Relax…
The comment was said in jest – I was joking around with the guy who said:
“Shame on Microsoft and Nokia! PR a bad product, through the children!
The horror! Poor baby! he is forced to lie!”"
It’s a frequent accusation that anyone expressing any slight interest in Lumia must be a deceitful character paid to say so. It’s said so much that it has become a joke.
http://mynokiablog.com/2012/04/13/apple-co-founder-steve-wozniak-lining-up-to-buy-nokia-lumia-900/comment-page-1/#comment-552187
Secondly, I suppose for me, it’s difficult not to see the comment
“You’re not qualified to be the nokia community ambassador anymore.”
As not being directed personally to me. I answered actually agreeing anyway.
Apologies that I may have been mistaken with your profile as on our records it showed your current profile as previously using ‘f***jay@co.uk’ as an email address and from that profile addressing me as ‘clueless’ and thought you might have an issue with me again.
“I get that you and others and myself get frustated but I expect the writers to be above that. You really let people get to you to much. Which just inspires them more because then you seem even more lumia/windowsphone orientated. And then tey know you weak spot. Act like a professional.”
You’re right about the need to act much more professional in similar situations. I guess, this being my hobby and not my job, I sometimes try to use it to relax, joke around with my readers, have a bit of banter when appropriate. I believe my conduct on the whole to everyone is quite decent and I hope you don’t think I am being disrespectful to people who dislike Lumia. Not letting people get to us is some sound advice that is always useful, so thanks.
@Honestly
Jay’s nowhere near as rude/dumb/close-minded/etc (on all sides of the debate) as others here.
He has and does generally hold himself above the fray.
Some occasionally present themselves as being above the fray, but he genuinely really is.
It doesn’t seem like you’re talking about the same person.
Taking it personal? Sorry mate, but given the in depth and lengthy comment of Jay, I believe that you are trying to divert the topic as Jay response was decent, honest and well thought out.
As for Jay’s comment, I think that you missed the sarcasm and joke courses.
As for the selection of Jay, I do believe he is more than adequate for a number of reasons.
@Jay
Points 3/4/5 of incognito’s post pretty-much gels with what I’m interested in.
Thanks for getting the input from us all!
Enjoy a great country.
And since you’re not swedish you will actually be greeted without some underhanded comments.
Helsinki is a beautiful city so if the weather is nice, just walk around and enjoy it.
Other, if you can find out anything at all about any future disruptions (anything non-WP related for us that just wont give up) please dig deep!
Enjoy Suomi, Finland, Perkele.
Thanks
I’m very much looking forward to it 
I will definitely ask about their non-WP side of Nokia. I’m sure they won’t disclose anything to me, but a hint would be nice. I’ll see what I can find.
If they do tell me anything, I would be under NDA and can’t even tell you I’ve got NDA.
An NDA cannot sanction disclosing the existence of the NDA
You can safely say that you’ve signed an NDA and that due to those reasons you cannot disclose anything.
It also cannot prevent you to say the things like: from what I’ve seen, a lot of you will be pleased once Nokia discloses it.
(Disclaimer: I’ve been dancing on the NDA thin line for quite a long time to know how much you can stretch it without actually breaking it
)
Really? I guess I never looked in to that.
The one they made me sign before said I couldn’t talk about having signed it…unless I misread. Yes, that’s right, I just remembered that it was quite a talking point that we weren’t even allowed to mention the NDA. Hence why, until official announcement, it was like as if we never saw anything or mentioned seeing things we couldn’t talk about.The device leaked anyway and they were worried it was us :/
Probably safer to say nothing at all. If the Nokia peeps do get us to sign NDA, I’ll check again if we could at least say that
A contract, which NDA is, cannot in itself sanction its own existence, at least not in any law system I know of. You’d have to sign an NDA about not disclosing the NDA – but still you would be able to say you’ve signed the first NDA, without mentioning what it covers, of course.
It is generally assumed that everyone in a position to get classified information signed an NDA so you’ll hardly see someone going with: “Well, I know certain things, but I’ve signed an NDA so I cannot share them.” And it’s also considered impolite to remind people about it
Still, NDA cannot cover itself.
You’re also not in a breach of NDA by saying that based on what you know/saw, you have your reasons to be optimistic – you didn’t disclose anything apart from your general impression, and an NDA cannot sanction your thoughts.
NDA breaches are rarely called on – laws are not strict on them (in fact, most NDAs would fail in front of a court) and acting on them usually only costs money without a severe penalty to the breaching party, so they are more like `I swear on my honor that I won’t breach the following agreement`. In most cases, breaching the NDA can only guarantee you one thing – you won’t be granted access to classified information ever again, at least not from a company who’s NDA you’ve breached.
Thanks incognito
. Just a wealth of info here 
The politeness and trust is what I’m more interested in keeping. Even if NDA might not prevent us from talking about it, if that is what Nokia wishes then so be it
As you say, if it’s difficult to enforce in law, then what keeps people silent is trust and also possibility of never being privy to such information ever again.
I try to keep all info I ever have that is told in confidence, confidential anyway, and only ever write about what is leaked information from other sources. If it’s out, it’s out, and that’s Nokia’s fault for not being tighter on security.
I guess really, it’s all about long term trust then.
Travel to lapland if you can, and witness the midnight sun.
Wow, that sounds cool! But I think I will be based mostly in Helsinki.
Jay, I might send you some suggestions privately but generally speaking a few ideas.
I assume you won’t go outside of Helsinki.
1) Sauna is indeed a Finnish must and you will probably be offered to bathe in one many times. However, it is perfectly OK to say no to, if you don’t feel comfortable, or to not be completely naked.
If you do go to a sauna and have any say on which one you want, I would recommend two: a public sauna in Kallio that has been operating since the early 1900s. You might run into a guy that has gone there since the second world war (first with his father) and has his own spot on the bleechers (you can probably see his butt marks on them.. ) or this one cross-dresser guy playing chess with the other patrons afterwards. Cooling off on the side walk between the heat room stints, pretty much in the middle of the city. Separate for men and women, and if you book in advance you can even have an old lady wash your back or even let your blood (some obscure old Russian healing method). Kallio in general is a cool student/blue collarish part of the town with lots of cool small bars etc. 2) any of the so called smoke saunas. Worry not, there is no smoke in the room when you actually bathe. These are rare though and even most Finns very rarely go in these anymore 3) any sauna by a lake/sea.
2) If weather is nice, just stroll around the city. It is small and very walkable and with very good public transit, obviously.
3) The Suomenlinna fortress island is indeed cool, weather permitting. Great spot for pic nics, not that you prob have time for one.
4) if you do like art, the museum of contemporary art is a rather cool buidling to quickly pop into
5) food wise, fish (not just salmon which you will almost invitably will get), mushrooms, berries in desserts, reindeer (in a stew or a file); restaurant scene has improved a lot in the last 5-10 years. The outdoor market and the area around in the center of Helsinki at the docs is always nice. Finnish doughnuts called munkki is a good pick there with coffee (which Finns drink by the gallon). Finnish beer in general is not all that (other than after sauna with some sausage), but there are now some small breweries that make good stuff (like the one at the fortress island)
6) boat ride in the archipelago (there are some beatiful restaurants on couple of them)
7) tour with Yvonne.. jealous..
this should be number one of course.
8) and if you can/want to bring something to loved ones, especially women tend to love Finnish design like Marimekko (fabrics, clothing etc.) or Iittala (glass, kitchen ware). Find those on Esplanadi (a short bulevard with a nice park in the middle with small live concerts on stage during the summer)
9) Erottaja Bar I used to love, not sure how its nowadays. A street close to it (forget the name now) has a few nice restaurants and bars too),
Erottaja bar as you probably knew it seized to exist :\
4) Not much in way of good exhibitions there lately (unless you really and i mean REALLY like “modern art” that you are willing to stare at anything that’s remotely modern).
Better options for art museums would be:
Ateneum (across from the National Theatre and next to the central railway station)
Tennispalatsi Art Museum (in Kamppi)
5) For really good Finnish beer visit Teerenpeli (in Kamppi, a sort of a restaurant/bar), they have a selection of beers by small breweries – can easily rival any Czech or Germans beers.
If you want a wider beer selection (of tastes and countries) and a cozier atmosphere, Kaisla (in Kaisaniemi) is a good choice.
Also as far as museums go, the National Museum is a good place to get a glimpse of history.
But otherwise just enjoy the summer. There’s lots of places to recommend, but you won’t really have time to visit them all. Simply take a walk in the old part of the city and take in the atmosphere. Helsinki is a beautiful city in the summer and the magnificent 19th century architecture makes it quite a gem of the North.
Thanks for the many suggestions Viipottaja
I can’t say I’ve ever tried reindeer but my Swedish friend and his friend who tried it said it was nice.
I’d love to try some traditional Finnish cuisine and food stuffs
Just googled Munkki – definitely on my list of things to eat 
I’ll keep my suitcase light so I can bring back plenty of goodies
Rembeber Jay try Koskenkorva vodka !
The best thing we have in Finland after Nokia and Rovio 
Might try and bring a bottle back as a souvenir
Friends love fancy Vodka (well any Vodka but so much more so if it’s something special from another country).
Too bad you won’t be there for the weekend – then you’d see how much Finns love ANY vodka
Any alcohol for that matter. They’ve kept the ‘tradition’ since the Russian times 
Ask them to show you the designs for the future nokia supoer-phones, along with what is new in wp8. Also ask them to show you what they are planning for the low end with Meltemi so you can tell us. I’m sick of reading rumours from endadget or verge or whatever other site. Learn some cool things and share them with community.
And have a great time overall, enjoy the trip and your surroundings and the different culture
Cool, I’ll share what I can. if I have to sign NDA, I’ll see if I can at least mention NDA and let you know I can’t actually share much more info
I wasn’t even sure I could talk about having signed NDA but incognito reassures it’s ok. I’ll double check. Not that I think they would show me anything, but just in case 
.
Just visit the labs and see for ur self about future disruptions.Try to find anything related maemo and its developments.Windows phone regarding appollo.Meet marko and see what amount time he is spending regarding the new slate.Try to find out any new devices planned for symbian.Meltemi …..is it for smartphone..and if it is thn it supports qt and and dig very deep to find will it support android apps.Development of windows 8 and beyond…..new designs,new innovations,and yes jst meet the super amazing everyday damian dinning.good luck and safe journy.
I’m imaging the labs to be like Dexter’s Laboratory with a bunch of out of this world tech inside just waiting to be ready for market. I hope :p.
In June you might just not be able to do this, but if weather allows, try dipping into ice directly from Sauna!
I just hope that weather is nice for you. I remember when we had European Athletics Championships like 5 years ago and it rained every day (and a lot). Some Middle-European newspapers started to call this city Hellsinki…
June is beautiful in Finland, do try to attend a summer party. Go to Torni tower you can see the whole helsinki from there. Go to Emma museum, i have see nokia HQ so nothing that i wanna see there, but would like to know more about apollo.
Hope you will be willing to convey the debate raging amongst nokia fans (espacially here at mynokiablog), and that you will not returned to us brainwashed by nokia’s political buro.
Oh I will. I really want to know what their opinion on the situation is, not what they have to say.
I want to know if they honestly think things are going well, that many fans are infuriated (As I was) and still are. I want to know if the much talked about internal rotting at Nokia was true. Many see the strategy as a risk purely on Nokia and for a long time, we won’t see any real success. I want to know that they are aware that the market has some insane competition going on and they will not make it with mediocre devices announced to late and then equally announced too early (ie. just get the damn products out faster). Many many more questions that I have to draft. Perhaps I thought about doing a little manifesto.
:p If you have specific questions/suggestions feel free to share
We’ve ranted many times about things Nokia is doing wrong and should be doing but understandably they probably aren’t aware the blog even exists or has time (and hence why they kept making the same mistakes over and over). I’m sure such a large company as Nokia would have already considered everything I would bring up, but I’ll do so anyway just to at least have some closure that we’ve done our bit. Sometimes when I do talk to individual Nokians, I do find it nice that they pay attention, write things down and acknowledge there may be some things they have not yet considered. Hopefully Nokia will have health in June and last long enough to implement to switch to WP8.
sub.
What will be next in windows phones,
how many more symbian phones,
what type of revolutionary product nokia is going to unveil,
ask for a quota to give away the windows phone devices to blog admins and tippers…Lolz,
piss on elop,
enjoy,
return back safely.
Thanks
I will ask that…see if they will gift something to readers maybe
Not sure how the logistics would work trying to get something to you guys.
Sauna+BBQ+Beer+Salmiakki Koskenkorva = must
I am hearing a lot about ‘Salmiakki Koskenkorva’ a very popular recommendation
Thanks 
The thing is, due to its stingy taste you can’t notice the alcohol in it… Until it’s too late
Btw. if you never tasted any sort of salty licorice (a particular thing that the Finns and Netherlanders enjoy to force visitors to try and then laugh at the reaction) be warned – some people just can’t stand it: http://youtu.be/nDFTyRDSG-U . Salmiakki Koskenkorva is essentially that + vodka
Ask for a tour of the Salo factory while there still is something to see there…
Hopefully that will be something I can check out. I tried to see the Chennai Nokia factory but was only there on a flying visit and didn’t have time.
It must be some sight to see the birthplace of so many Nokia phones.
I would like that you ask if they can give us some information about Nokia Tablet , I will buy a tablet but first I would like to hear some Nokia Tablet information
/Peter from Sweden
Well, there is not much to do in Finland.
You could A) Drink B)Go to the sauna
If you have nothing else to do repeat stages A to B.
Finns do not usually talk that much, so if you want a good conversation hit a bar, there usually it seems more acceptable to talk to strangers there whilst tipsy and the women tend to like a person with a good English accent(hint, hint?).
Have a nice trip!
I quite like the Finnish accent
It’s so diff. to anything else in the EU.
Or that I’m used to at least…
Probably Jay will study some Finnish before visiting? Become a native speaker perhaps?
Oh, and currently I’m doing stage A while stage B is warming up.
Hi jay just want to say hope you enjoy the trip cause you deserve it!
Anyway can you just ask one simple question
is the 808 pv the last symbian device? Will there be more symbian devices after it?
I hope you get this. Thanx
Why on earth are you necro-posting in this ancient thread?
There’s a far newer story for this kind of post…
http://mynokiablog.com/2012/06/04/the-trip-to-finland-begins/