@dylanemcgregor,

Not really. Check here (http://wiki.maemo.org/R%26D_mode). R&D mode has a number of flags.

* no-omap-wd
* no-ext-wd
* no-lifeguard-reset

The above three you can set to ON in order to disable the hardware and software watchdogs. For your purposes I would leave them OFF so that Maemo will still continue to work "as normal".

* serial-console -- DO NOT SET, REDUCES BATTERY LIFE

* no-usb-timeout
* sti-console

Regarding the above two, their function is not known, so leave alone.

* no-charging -- SET/LEAVE TO OFF

* force-power-key

This is (I think) the one responsible for turning the N900 on whenever you plug the battery, as well as getting rid of the ACTDEAD mode.

The one "downside" will be that your keyboard leds will flash. This is easily disabled by editing /sbin/preinit. Ask if you need help on that. If you fvck up when editing that file, your N900 may need a reflash.