Please note that once root is granted, it is possible to enable/disable USB host mode without using flasher. And, using Kreature's patch (at http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=1003), it is possible to get root relatively easily without needing a Mac or Linux.

So, how do you get USB host mode without using flasher, assuming that you already have root? This has been mentioned a few times on the maemo-developers e-mail list, but for some reason, hasn't made it into the maemo wiki. I haven't tested this, but the following should turn USB host mode on: echo host > /sys/devices/platform/tahvo-usb/otg_mode . To turn USB host mode off, use the following: echo peripheral > /sys/devices/platform/tahvo-usb/otg_mode . According to posts on the maemo-developers list from Nokia employees, host mode should immediately start working once this is turned on.

Note that there is good reason to keep USB host mode turned off unless it is needed. According to http://maemo.org/maemowiki/Flasher_tool_usage, host mode disables dyntick, which means that battery time goes down. More information about dyntick can be found at http://muru.com/linux/dyntick/.

Aaron