Database Info

should i get the g1 or n810?

i have a excalibur and have flashed android so i know that google just ripped of gentoo and disabled almost everything that would be good from a linux distro. i have not checked much of the updates/hacks/mods people have done yet, but as much as i have heard is that google blows and they dissabled the commandline even though it is still on the phone using up storage and ram. along with all of the commands and some applications like "vi" and since they decided to disable the "c.l." you cannot run native linux apps so you can only program in java even though you have the full capability to run regular c/c++ apps. so should i get the g1? or the n810, which has a full linux and i can just get nmap, gimp and whatever else i want on it? i mean yeah the g1 is "open source" and so is windows mobile if you wish so, i mean id probably have wm over android if there hasnt been any change from what i have heard/experienced. atleast then i can use embedded c++, or visual basic to program for it, and can even program for it to an extent right on it from notepad i mean i can do xml/html and mabey batch i havent tried.. sorry for the digression but anyways what are the pros and cons of "android" as far as development/poweruser?(gentoo mobile, and supposedly you can get debian on it?)

First of all the red makes it really hard to read so I only read about 4 words before I stopped. Second, what does this have to do with Android/Dream developement?

speoples20 said:
First of all the red makes it really hard to read so I only read about 4 words before I stopped. Second, what does this have to do with Android/Dream developement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol the funny thing is i too read the first 4 words (exactly) and stopped. i guess i lost interest when i read excalibur haha. then wondered why is this topic even posted here.

statixchaos said:
lol the funny thing is i too read the first 4 words (exactly) and stopped. i guess i lost interest when i read excalibur haha. then wondered why is this topic even posted here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
again as i asked before which would be better for developing, and what has been done as for modding/ect that might allow for better development

Maybe i am not seeing it but the N810 is only a internet tablet, not a phone right?. If you don't need a phone go with the N810, but if you need a phone go for the G1.

my .02
I have had an n800 since last xmas then got a g1 on opening day, from the sound of your post you'd be happier getting a cheapo 3g that can tether and an n810 the ITs are pure linux you can run debian and everything on them a full desktop install dual booting and running along with maemo(on which android is partly based, if im not mistaken) I love my tablet and cant wait till there is a good solid BT Pan for the g1, I think somebody is working on it or is close...not sure
you could also grab a 770 or a used n800 and a g1, I think you can find the 770 for ~$100usd
hope it helps
bhang

Wifi Tether app works

OK, Since Root is out I just rooted my phone and installed the Wifi Tether app (avaiable in the market) and it works like a charm.
Have a friend with an iPhone and she was able to connect right up and get online.
Gotta' love root..

Recent convert
I am a recent cover from blackberry to android. One thing I am interested in is rooting. It seems like it us a must to get everything out of the phone... However it also seems much more complicated than loading a beta os on a bb. Can you point me to a good, step by step instruction site on rooting my X. I'm not a "geek" or anything close. I just want to get everything I can out of these devices. Also, does the app you mention work with all macs? I noticed a lot of apps only work with pcs.

showson1 said:
OK, Since Root is out I just rooted my phone and installed the Wifi Tether app (avaiable in the market) and it works like a charm.
Have a friend with an iPhone and she was able to connect right up and get online.
Gotta' love root..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 and confirmed. Rooted and Tethered myself this morning.
BB2DX said:
I am a recent cover from blackberry to android. One thing I am interested in is rooting. It seems like it us a must to get everything out of the phone... However it also seems much more complicated than loading a beta os on a bb. Can you point me to a good, step by step instruction site on rooting my X. I'm not a "geek" or anything close. I just want to get everything I can out of these devices. Also, does the app you mention work with all macs? I noticed a lot of apps only work with pcs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi tether is of course OS agnostic. It sets your phone up as an access point.
Other apps are USB or possibly Bluetooth tethering, and that might require a client side app.
to Root:
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/07/23/videos-how-to-root-the-droid-x/

Thanks for the help. if i understand correctly, the app would allow for wifi hotspot without paying the$ 20. Fee to vzw?

BB2DX said:
Thanks for the help. if i understand correctly, the app would allow for wifi hotspot without paying the$ 20. Fee to vzw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
The "legality" (Violates TOS, etc) is another matter.

Ok.
I've looked at the sites explaining the rooting process and I think I get it. The crackberry community was great about providing support to people who wanted to do more. So far the android community seems on part with that, just need a rooting and android/linux for dummies site. Its a lot more technical than the bb os.

BB2DX said:
I've looked at the sites explaining the rooting process and I think I get it. The crackberry community was great about providing support to people who wanted to do more. So far the android community seems on part with that, just need a rooting and android/linux for dummies site. Its a lot more technical than the bb os.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "hardest" part of this will be setting up the Android SDK and making sure adb works properly.
This is my sort-of first Android phone (I had the Droid 1 on launch day, but took it back), so much of this is new to me too. I do have some minor linux experience, which helps, but I just followed the video link I posted step for step and had no problems.

The problem is, I don't know what android sdk or adb mean. That's why i'm not rushing into rooting. I am scared to brick this device. I love it (except for 8 hour charge on battery. But coming from a bb I should expect not to get the same two days) and am afraid of making a mistake due to lack of knowledge.

gonna post the info from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7334641&postcount=9 here again just in case u guys dont end up to see it
Here is a few things to keep in mind..
The Verizon 3G app is infrastructure, thus it works with things like PSP and Nintendo DS, which is why i keep it. The Wireless tether apps are only ad-hoc for now.
From what ive been told, the verizon app loads a different firmware in the wi chip before running.
this is why i ONLY use the hot app for PSP and DS and the rest wi-t for root
Hope this helps

BB2DX said:
The problem is, I don't know what android sdk or adb mean. That's why i'm not rushing into rooting. I am scared to brick this device. I love it (except for 8 hour charge on battery. But coming from a bb I should expect not to get the same two days) and am afraid of making a mistake due to lack of knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wise to want to read all you can before jumping in.
Android SDK is the 'Software Development Kit'. It's the tools/drivers from Google that allow direct interaction with your android phone. While ostensibly intended for developers, it is the tool you will need.
ADB = Android Debug Bridge. It's a tool that comes with the SDK. It's a command line shell that allows you to push/pull files directly to the phone as well as open a shell (android is just a mini/modified version of linux - hence needing to get 'root' to be able to modify system related files).
Here is a link to a tutorial on how to take screen shots on the Droid X.
This is another thing that can be done with the SDK, so the important part of this tutorial is getting the SDK installed.
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/07/22/how-to-take-screenshots-with-the-droid-x/
Hope that helps.

could have sworn DS and psp could connect to adhocs just fine, i know the wii can.

I've tried this with my nintendo wii. It finds the access point justice fine, but won't actually connect. Does anyone have any clues of possible setup corrections necessary?
I'm using the sapphire 32b.

mavermc said:
could have sworn DS and psp could connect to adhocs just fine, i know the wii can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no dice, trust me on that.. they can do ad-hoc if they are doing multiplayer gaming with other ds or psp units but not to go online

What to do
OK i hope to wifi tether as well. What is the process to set this up and what apps specifically do I need to get once I get my droid x? Thanks in advance.

aplechaty said:
OK i hope to wifi tether as well. What is the process to set this up and what apps specifically do I need to get once I get my droid x? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the various threads about Rooting your X.
If you want to pay VZW, then the app is already on there. If you want to cheat, you will need to Root.

I downloaded the droidxrootv2 zip file to my pc. The videos mention ADB what is this, and where do i get the drivers for it? Also is the wifi tether app named as such or is it called something else on marketplace? Thanks.

Market Install Process Questions

Need clarifications on Market install procedure:
1. Calls for using "AndRootFile." I go to site to DL and it asks what phone to get right apk. Got no stinkin' phone. What do I put in? Or where can I get the apk for G-Tablet?
2. Procedure call for mounting R/W and making sure to make R/O when finished. How?
3. Guide for ADB setup at the end. Does that have to be done manually or do the files above take care of the changes? Or does the DL usb file replace the stock file?
4. i have had Gmail for a long time. Is anything other than a Gmail signon needed to set up market and the other apps?
Thanks for any help.
Rev

I was hoping a couple of quick answers would save me some time and uncertainty or maybe a mistake.
Anyone help?
Rev

butchconner said:
Need clarifications on Market install procedure:
1. Calls for using "AndRootFile." I go to site to DL and it asks what phone to get right apk. Got no stinkin' phone. What do I put in? Or where can I get the apk for G-Tablet?
2. Procedure call for mounting R/W and making sure to make R/O when finished. How?
3. Guide for ADB setup at the end. Does that have to be done manually or do the files above take care of the changes? Or does the DL usb file replace the stock file?
4. i have had Gmail for a long time. Is anything other than a Gmail signon needed to set up market and the other apps?
Thanks for any help.
Rev
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. There won't be a version of androot specifically for the G tab. Just find an androot apk and install it.
2. Refers to read/write, and read only. Once androot is installed it will have a selection allowing for you to be a Superuser, and to set r/w, or ro.
3. ADB is setup manually. It is run from a command line. The USB driver gets installed by hooking up your G tab by usb, don't mount it from the G tab though. Then run the driver program in windows to install the driver.
4. Yes, once it is all installed your Gmail login will do it all. There is a market fix that will need to be done also as the market will be really incomplete. The fix is easy...
5. I know you didn't have a 5, and you will think I am beating a dead horse. If you were to just install TnTLite2.2 all the work is done, your G tab will scream, and you will be done...

Thanks for the quick clarifications. Now a comment for your (5) comment.
I have thought of going ahead and flashing -- and yes I know that solves some problems. But aside from being conservative hardware wise:
1. My biggest objection to flashing is that there is no real way back to stock. Vanilla is not factory if I understand right. And I'm not sure cwm lets you make a restorable factory image. If I knew I could restore a factory image, it would make playing a little easier for me.
2. I'm not new to computers or OSes, but I am new to Android. There is a certain learning advantage in doing the various procedures -- the negative being that that makes me have to ask people like you for the little details I need.
3. Screaming is relative. Compared to my PDA and my netbook, my G already screams. And none of them scream compared to my gaming machine which is probably in the top 10 per cent speed-wise. So screaming would only make a little difference for me.
4. And then there the projected Dec. 19 update. I realize that VS has missed the boat several times in all of this, but it would be tooooooooo sweet if they incorporated a lot of the fixes and ideas voiced here into the update and make a stock machine even better.
5. Since you quit at five I will too. I really would like to have a $279 G-Tablet to play with, but I like in the country and even the nearby large city doesn't have either enough Sears or tech enthusiasts for me to get that lucky. If I had a second one, I could play a little more since I wouldn't necessary have to keep it working so I could use it.
Anyhow, thanks again for the clarifications and your comments. There is no dead anything around here, BTW!!!
Rev

butchconner said:
Thanks for the quick clarifications. Now a comment for your (5) comment.
I have thought of going ahead and flashing -- and yes I know that solves some problems. But aside from being conservative hardware wise:
1. My biggest objection to flashing is that there is no real way back to stock. Vanilla is not factory if I understand right. And I'm not sure cwm lets you make a restorable factory image. If I knew I could restore a factory image, it would make playing a little easier for me.
2. I'm not new to computers or OSes, but I am new to Android. There is a certain learning advantage in doing the various procedures -- the negative being that that makes me have to ask people like you for the little details I need.
3. Screaming is relative. Compared to my PDA and my netbook, my G already screams. And none of them scream compared to my gaming machine which is probably in the top 10 per cent speed-wise. So screaming would only make a little difference for me.
4. And then there the projected Dec. 19 update. I realize that VS has missed the boat several times in all of this, but it would be tooooooooo sweet if they incorporated a lot of the fixes and ideas voiced here into the update and make a stock machine even better.
5. Since you quit at five I will too. I really would like to have a $279 G-Tablet to play with, but I like in the country and even the nearby large city doesn't have either enough Sears or tech enthusiasts for me to get that lucky. If I had a second one, I could play a little more since I wouldn't necessary have to keep it working so I could use it.
Anyhow, thanks again for the clarifications and your comments. There is no dead anything around here, BTW!!!
Rev
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I do understand why you want to do things the way you do. And just in case you may have not seen it. You can go all the way back to original by using NVFlash and the original images made way back a whole month ago. (Seems longer than that). I have done it a couple times while messing around with things that didn't work. Here is a little something I wrote up about how to do it..
http://forum.tegratab.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8
I didn't know what to think when I read your #2 comment. I am not an expert by any means but is it really that bad to have to ask?
"2. I'm not new to computers or OSes, but I am new to Android. There is a certain learning advantage in doing the various procedures -- the negative being that that makes me have to ask people like you for the little details I need."
Anyway, hope it helped..

Number two is nothing except that I am pretty independent and usually I am the one doing the helping -- and I just dislike bothering other people for basic info.
One of my dislikes about the G-Tablet and Android is that there are not many really good "user" books available. Lots of Android programming books, but none that just tell how it works and what to do for common tasks, etc. And what can I say about the G-Tablet manual. It does a credible job of describing the hardware, but I wish they had a few chapters on basic operation.
Well, I guess some of this is just griping so I'll shut up.
Rev
P. S. -- Is there any particular version of "AndRootFile" that will work better than the others?

butchconner said:
Number two is nothing except that I am pretty independent and usually I am the one doing the helping -- and I just dislike bothering other people for basic info.
One of my dislikes about the G-Tablet and Android is that there are not many really good "user" books available. Lots of Android programming books, but none that just tell how it works and what to do for common tasks, etc. And what can I say about the G-Tablet manual. It does a credible job of describing the hardware, but I wish they had a few chapters on basic operation.
Well, I guess some of this is just griping so I'll shut up.
Rev
P. S. -- Is there any particular version of "AndRootFile" that will work better than the others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think androot is the same. The supported list is likely just stuff they have tested it with. I usually use Root Explorer myself. Androot is free, Root Explorer costs a couple dollars but is easier to use, and more capable. I also use a file manager named Es File Explorer. It is free in the market and once you get the hang of how it works it can be used on the lan to move stuff between your pc and tablet, extract zip files, etc.
I don't know if there will ever be a good manual for Android. From what I can tell it is kind of a free for all out there. Does not seem there are very many real solid standards but there sure are a lot of variations.
I think most of the hardware for sale now is not really made by any of the companies with there name on it. The G tablet is sold by 3-4 different companies, just named differently. Seems they are at the mercy, and so are we of how well they can communicate what they want fixed to a company in another country. I wish there was a company that built a tablet in house that was open with the customers. Would sure make bug fixes, and feature changes easier. As it stands, they are happy to sell whatever they get.

Everyone.
You can close this thread as far as I am concerned. I worked with adapting a stock machine until I simply got tired of it. I have converted to TnT 2.20 at this time and am pleased so far. I will write more about the experience when I have time.
Rev

Testers wanted.

Looking for testers for a future project that i am currently trying to work on. Hopes to support in the end a wide varity of the samsung devices but for now im looking for samsung tab owners galaxy s 4g owners and vibrant owners that wanna help people that have extra devices welcome just drop me a line....
What is this you ask...
Well since phones are now starting to catch up fast as far as speed and storage and ram and video capabilities of some of the lower end laptops i am going to currently start working on a Ubuntu verrant that will a custom Linux environment based of course off the phone or tabs hardware.
But why would anyone want to do this?
Well the reason for it sometimes its not 100 percent pheaseable to carry around a notebook net book and a few other devices and u may need access to a pc this may fit your bill.. That and It would just be intristing to have a actual linux client running on a phone
What are the goals of this?
get the linux kernel compiled with the drivers we need for audio video phone radio bluetooth keyboard and mouse support along with keeping support for all other phone related functions.
linux client that boots and lets you log into the the x windows interface and launch apps would be a great start thats the second goal
third will be to get the linux client to work not only with some of the applicatons on linux but also retain the phones ability to run the phones applicatons as well.
THe overall goal of this would be to be able to when you wanted hook your phone using the tv out capablity (supported devices) and use a Bluetooth keyboard mouse and printer and use it as a net book u could also surf the web type up emails and or documents some of which already can be done on some of the devices.. THis might also open up another avenue that we could use or devices for.
This is just a quick summery feel free to leave comments call me crazy or what not lol..

Sounds like a good plan
RaverX3X said:
Looking for testers for a future project that i am currently trying to work on. Hopes to support in the end a wide varity of the samsung devices but for now im looking for samsung tab owners galaxy s 4g owners and vibrant owners that wanna help people that have extra devices welcome just drop me a line....
What is this you ask...
Well since phones are now starting to catch up fast as far as speed and storage and ram and video capabilities of some of the lower end laptops i am going to currently start working on a Ubuntu verrant that will a custom Linux environment based of course off the phone or tabs hardware.
But why would anyone want to do this?
Well the reason for it sometimes its not 100 percent pheaseable to carry around a notebook net book and a few other devices and u may need access to a pc this may fit your bill.. That and It would just be intristing to have a actual linux client running on a phone
What are the goals of this?
get the linux kernel compiled with the drivers we need for audio video phone radio bluetooth keyboard and mouse support along with keeping support for all other phone related functions.
linux client that boots and lets you log into the the x windows interface and launch apps would be a great start thats the second goal
third will be to get the linux client to work not only with some of the applicatons on linux but also retain the phones ability to run the phones applicatons as well.
THe overall goal of this would be to be able to when you wanted hook your phone using the tv out capablity (supported devices) and use a Bluetooth keyboard mouse and printer and use it as a net book u could also surf the web type up emails and or documents some of which already can be done on some of the devices.. THis might also open up another avenue that we could use or devices for.
This is just a quick summery feel free to leave comments call me crazy or what not lol..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It sounds good too. A bit crazy but I like crazy. I would love to test but this is my only phone unless I can always odin back hence I'm scared of hard bricks
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

I don't think screens on the phones are big enough for it to be convenient enough for people to use an OS like Ubuntu easily. Tablets are another story, of course.

adobrakic said:
I don't think screens on the phones are big enough for it to be convenient enough for people to use an OS like Ubuntu easily. Tablets are another story, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hince why im going to do it on devices with tv out

i have 2 sgs4g im interested, however im a total newb at all this so it may require lots of explaining/teaching on your end
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

sounds like a plan to me and
johnlaqua said:
i have 2 sgs4g im interested, however im a total newb at all this so it may require lots of explaining/teaching on your end
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mostly everyone is going to be new to this lol or you talking about computer skills wise which i doubt it would take much since hes setting everything up..

well the idea behind it would be to odin a zimage with the core files on the sd card and have a script that would auto install the rom upon boot eg u odin rom phone boots says please wait while the os is installed go get some dinner whatever while it goes though it when u come back it would be up and running. LIke i said ultimatly i want it to work as a phone and a desktop. Well at least i got some intrest ill keep u posted on progress.
example would be when u used the usb tv out the phone could auto sense this and switch to what would account for desktop mode so you could use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse to navigate and then when u unplug it the screen would switch to a more phone touch friendly enviroment. These are just ideas. Honestly not sure how this is going to work as far as a tab based device its prob alot easier and mb a vibrant phone cause of the large amounts of internal storage.
sg4g im stll trying to figure out how to work around this. Also to get kernels up and have them be more of a unitifed system so i could make one package that serves multi devices instead of x package for this y package for that it helps tremulously.
the goal is to keep this as tech newb friendly with keeping at least some decent functionality on it. SInce the os will setup and take care of video audio and what not the only think u would need really is bluetooth parings for the keyboard and mouse and a printer provided i can actually get this to work...
ill keep all intrested parties posted and when i get something to work with ill move to the android dev fourm for it.

http://phandroid.com/2009/05/27/what-if-ubuntu-could-run-android-applications-it-can/
as u can see they can get linux to run android apps heck theres even debin running on the g1 as far as linux goes. THe point of what i wanna do is make it a little more friendly and accessable without having to folllow 14 pages of directions and not to make the apps as a emulated portion but as a seemless intrgration.

Im interested. Very interested... Id be will to test when im not working and on the weekends.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App

Sounds like a crazy notion, but still well worthwhile. I like your way of thinking.
I'll see if i can get my hands on a second device, or get a well-discounted one for you to buy.
There might be some damn good money in this idea for you as well.

danstheman7 said:
Sounds like a crazy notion, but still well worthwhile. I like your way of thinking.
I'll see if i can get my hands on a second device, or get a well-discounted one for you to buy.
There might be some damn good money in this idea for you as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well im loooking on ebay for someones bricked phone as i havea riff box so i could more then likley unbrick the phone for testing purposes.
Well the problem isnt installing linux onto the phone as i have went though many fourms and stuch getting linux on the phone seems to be the easy part with some reading and knowing what to do and not do. The real hurtle is a genuine way to cross link the libraries. So instead of running the android software as a virtual app (taken from screenies) to more of a native app across both platforms.
Im not looking to make this a omg it will run every peace of linux software ever written as these are phones not laptops notebooks net books desktops. THe goal would be primarlly for business people and people that would say need a quick way to read though e mail check Facebook maybe play a game here or there ( more then likely not) and type up documents if needed. THere is alot more limitation more so on the memory side of the phone then the processer and gpu capabilities considering open gl 4.1 is fully compatibly with open gl es for cellphones actually getting a ogl desktop isnt a really hard hurtle to get past. Since it retains the useability for open gl es

RaverX3X said:
well im loooking on ebay for someones bricked phone as i havea riff box so i could more then likley unbrick the phone for testing purposes.
Well the problem isnt installing linux onto the phone as i have went though many fourms and stuch getting linux on the phone seems to be the easy part with some reading and knowing what to do and not do. The real hurtle is a genuine way to cross link the libraries. So instead of running the android software as a virtual app (taken from screenies) to more of a native app across both platforms.
Im not looking to make this a omg it will run every peace of linux software ever written as these are phones not laptops notebooks net books desktops. THe goal would be primarlly for business people and people that would say need a quick way to read though e mail check Facebook maybe play a game here or there ( more then likely not) and type up documents if needed. THere is alot more limitation more so on the memory side of the phone then the processer and gpu capabilities considering open gl 4.1 is fully compatibly with open gl es for cellphones actually getting a ogl desktop isnt a really hard hurtle to get past. Since it retains the useability for open gl es
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I would expect quite a few device limitations preventing you from the usual run-of-the-mill software.
I wish I knew anything about Linux to help you, but alas, I know nothing :|
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Premium App

Its ok but at least when i get sometihng working u can test it if u wish

Thanks :]
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Surface Breakthroughs?

As we saw back in January, an individual had been able to crack the secure boot to allow a Mac OS to successfully run on an RT...no tutorial released. I own an RT, so this information was extremely appealing. I was hoping an android method would be released sometime soon but nothing ever came of it. Has anyone made any progress?

Twiisted said:
As we saw back in January, an individual had been able to crack the secure boot to allow a Mac OS to successfully run on an RT...no tutorial released. I own an RT, so this information was extremely appealing. I was hoping an android method would be released sometime soon but nothing ever came of it. Has anyone made any progress?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's using an x86 emulator (BOCHS, it's floating around here somewhere) to run an old version of Mac OS on top of Windows RT. All the information to do that has been documented, it's just more or less pointless, so nobody in the real world gave it much attention.
As far as I know (and I try to keep up to date on these things) SecureBoot hasn't been compromised. As far as I know there haven't been any in depth looks into it, either, but that could easily be going on in secrecy.
Edit: Theoretically it should be possible to use a kernel mode driver to essentially hijack the entire system and reboot into Linux without actually rebooting. I'm way oversimplifying what it needs, though.

netham45 said:
Edit: Theoretically it should be possible to use a kernel mode driver to essentially hijack the entire system and reboot into Linux without actually rebooting. I am oversimplifying what it needs, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On your edit, so essentially an executeable safestrap? My thought would be that the kernel would be difficult to compile. However, my experience in the subject is rather limited at best. Oversimplification is great to get everyone one the same page of possibility. The main purpose of this thread was to spark interest in that possibility. Your knowledge of the subject could get the ball rolling to unlock the full potential of this machine. So...what needs to be done?

A kernel for the Tegra 3 SOC used in Surface RT isn't hard to come by; I think nVidia makes them publicly available. However, the Board Support Package for the Surface's hardware might be trickier; a lot of it is probably already supported by Linux but some might not be. It's basically the standard driver support issue; you might get Linux to boot but some stuff just wouldn't work (at least at first).
Now, writing that driver? Heh, good luck. Driver development on NT is hard enough in the first place, even assuming you have a good DDK (I don't think we do yet) and that there aren't a bunch of checks in the system plus hacks to bypass them. Then there's the fact that it's a very low-level driver, to be able to take over the whole OS memory image (probably implies full control over the Windows memory manager) and replace it wholesale. I wouldn't even know how to write that in x86, much less ARM. That isn't to say it can't be done, of course, but it's a hell of a task.

There is a full DDK floating around, it's where I got cdb from for the jailbreak.