for all functionality the versions for full linux installs require root. whoever packaged the version for the 770/n800 may have added a /etc/sudoers entry for it in the install package. normally you get a message about that.

i have noticed before that the app is bigger than the screen, and you cant scroll, so some hildon-ization may be needed, but i am not an expert there.

a possible explanation for the lack of activity on the GUI, is that the tablet may be too busy to update the screen based on priority set by the app. with all the scanning to do, the GUI may fall down a couple of pegs on the I/O priority list. maybe let a scan complete and see if the screen is then updated.