I don't know how to install debian yet, but I'll do it for sure once I have an howto available. I'd love to get access to all the debian applications - this would make the Tab as good as a creation device as it is a consumption device.
I mean, docstogo is nice, google docs is nice too, but they're not on par with a full fledged openoffice, and I'd love to be able to write seriously or make a presentation with the tab.

Hence, when I say linux I'd better say gnu-linux, with debian on top, with cli, xorg, and the chance to make my own hacking with bash scripting and messing with config files.

What do you think of that?

That's great! If you're feeling adventurous, and don't mind rooting your device, this guide on XDA may help you install Ubuntu on your Tab!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=754258

My only concern is that this the GUI requires VNC to view, which is bound to be slower than a native client.

I'm right there with you, by the way -- I would love to see GNU/linux on the Tab. The Tabs processor, isn't as fast as an ATOM, but it should be adequate for certain GUI apps. The next generation of these devices will certainly be capable of a full Xorg experience without compromise. However, the CLI would be PERFECT on the 1024x600 screen, which is enough for me.... for now. .

Thanks, Capt'n. Do you have also any hint on how to root the Tab?

No problem! Apparently it's pretty easy to root the Tab:
http://www.addictivetips.com/compute...k-rooting-app/

I have no experience with this, so please be careful! Other than that, let us know now it goes!

I'm mildly scared. What is this going to do to the firmware in the 5-10 minutes it works?
Also, there's a objective risk of being killed by wife if something goes wrong.
I'm going to ponderate the thing and I'll let you know. Having a second Tab for hacking would be great at this time!

I would hold off for a few weeks, and let an experienced member of XDA take on this challenge first. Tabs are now starting to roll out, so it won't be long until rooting happens and concrete instructions are in place.

By the way: How does your wife like the Tab?

She loves it almost more than she loves me and consider she's not as geek as I'm...
It's difficult to separate her from it when she's back home
Only thing, she'd like to disallow certain apps to be run when she lends it to someone at the office - e.g. gmail and other things with her own personal data inside. I'll look into that - aka there must be an app for that (TM)

Please don't mind my musings about SIP, and my upcoming Galaxy Tab.


I'm getting excited about the Rogers Pay In Advance Plan for the iPad and the fact that it may be available for the Tab as well. For $15 it offers a measly 200MB/mo, but for $35 it offers a very capacious 5GB of bandwidth!

After doing some calculations, this equates to an unbelievable ~178 HOURS of talk time per month or ~6 HOURS per day (I've tried to compensate for the SIP protocol overhead). Put in carrier speak, this offers ~10,680 minutes of talk time per month! It looks even more ridiculous, when you consider that this is *wireless* talk time, and not used when around a WiFi AP.

Best of all? It's prepaid. There is no contract, no recurring bills, etc. For me, this is PERFECT and gives me the ability to control costs depending on my usage needs. It also gives me a redundant solution for those times when my internet connection goes down (infrequent, but it happens from time to time).

Now of course, these numbers assume that you'd *only* be talking on the Tab, which is not likely the case if you own a Tab. Thankfully, this is a comfortable limit for mobile on the go, and would even be a fine tether-ific compliment to my ubuntu-running netbook for those tasks that the Tab cannot easily accommodate (ie. linux productivity work).

On a bit of a different note.....

So my mobile productivity toolkit is looking to include a BT keyboard, a BT headset, BT stylus/handset (pending review), a Galaxy Tab, and a netbook. With this formidable combination of hardware, I'd be able to do pretty much anything on the road.

My only concern is battery ilfe. I'm going to have to carry some power cords for heavy usage, which I would like to leave behind. But for normal days, I should be able to make it without. Hopefully Android v2.3 extends the longevity of the Tab, as I would like to avoid carrying a cord at all costs.

It would be perfect if I didn't have to carry the netbook, but I suspect that next years Tab will eliminate that need . Still this is as close to convergence that I've seen.

That's good to know that she's enjoying it. I would be too . I can't wait until I get this device.

This procedure may help you regarding hiding your accounts when sharing the Tab with others.
http://maketecheasier.com/log-out-of...oid/2010/01/29

It's not perfect for a number of reasons:
1) The interface stinks
2) Your app data is still exposed
3) There's nothing to prevent a malicious user from installing malware to compromise your security autonomously.

It's clear that Android has been designed as a single-user system, not intended for sharing, but this offers a tiny bit of protection.

Here's hoping that Google includes multi-user capabilities in the future. While the change wouldn't be trivial, I suspect that it wouldn't be impossible either. I'm sure this will be more useful as Android grows to encapsulate other devices.

Hope this helps!

1000th post!

Thanks everyone for contributing to this thread! A lot has happened in a short time!