I've been developing on the device from the 770 days; both in a CHROOT and just having G++/make/etc on the device. For me, having the compiler / debugger on the main root is MUCH easier. With a CHROOT you have to install some software twice (once in the CHROOT).

But the /opt problem is in the way of a great solution to getting gcc on the main root. I think the best solution is perhaps to go back to dual booting and boot into an environment where there is no /opt problem. Then it is easy to install build_essentials and whatever compilers/debuggers you wish. To that end, has anyone tried to use the N800 dual boot deb? If that works, we could all be compiling without a chroot by morning!