With the disclaimer that the article contains several links back to this very site(!), do note a helpful piece by Alvin Wong here on the current state of the Symbian ecosystem and what you can do to prepare for another year (or more) of using the OS. It's true that his article is something of an overview and that most of the tips have been covered here on AAS in the past, but the more information that's disseminated to the wider world, the better and there are a couple of nuggets of wisdom to pick up along the way as well.

From Alvin's poetic intro:

The year is 2014. The remaining users of the Symbian and MeeGo platforms, once given assurances that their environment will be maintained until 2016, wake up to a post-apocalyptic landscape, one where essential services have been cut off, left in a state of stasis or put in cold storage until the end of time. Thankfully, the platforms were designed to be independent entities that would survive long after their stewards packed up and left for greener pastures. 

In this post-apocalyptic landscape, survival is essential. A significant number of users have chosen to leave the environment, leaving their devices behind, but others choose to stay on resolutely. Small, unofficial communities huddle together in various pockets across the wasteland, pooling resources together to ensure continued life. “Homebrew” development becomes a vital and important activity in the townships, fixing things that inevitably break and maintaining links to the world outside the wasteland.

The trading of SISX and DEB files becomes a common practice among the survivors. Some choose to disable platform security through homebrew software in order to lift restrictions on apps that were first enforced when the stewards were in power, a long time ago. Hardware repairs are done using replacement parts obtained unofficially, and users are encouraged to take good care of their devices as repairs can be difficult and/or costly.

Alvin then goes on to run through some familiar and not-so-familiar bits of advice. I was intrigued to his link to an unofficial repository of Nokia device firmwares, for example, though do please note that you should visit this with all anti-virus defences turned on and all common sense engaged. And with fingers poised over the 'close window' command in your browser (yes, it's one of those sites!)

I also loved Alvin's attitude and advice to others about the same:

There is no significant money to be made from investing developer time and effort into Symbian and MeeGo in 2014. Donations and thanks go a long way towards justifying continued effort from the remaining developers, not bad attitudes. Be nice in comment threads and forums, and remember that no one is obliged to do anything for you or your device.

Absolutely. You can read the whole article here.