I've been researching Jailbreaking it.
What are your views on it.
What can Jailbreaking do, that I cant on a non modified touch.
And is it really that crucial that the jailbreaking method isn't messed up.
Thanks.
I own an 8GB Jailbroken iPod touch, running 1.1.1 at the moment, but in the process of jailbreaking 1.1.3, as background information.
Jailbreaking the touch really opens up it's capabilities. Although the process takes some major patience and can be stressful, you can always restore it using itunes, but you can get very nervous. Doing it doesn't require you to be some kind of hacker, many forums and blogs have easy step by step instructions. Now that they have released the iPhone apps on all the new touches, Jailbreaking doesn't have as profound and effect on the touch because those basic apps make the touch so much more useful. Being able to check email, stocks, and weather when you're not at your computer is priceless. The SDK is probably going to cover all of the jailbroken apps anyway, so if you want to wait and be safe then you probably wont loose out.
Anyways, my view on jailbreaking:
Pros
VNC
A 3rd party app called VNSea on the touch and iPhone allows you to remotely connect to your VNC Server capable computer (very easy to set up, took me 20 seconds). What this allows you to do is with your IP address (computer's) and the password you make up when you set up the home computer, you can access your computer from your touch, and control all the functions as if you were sitting at your desk. You can run all your apps and do whatever you want. Yes, it's a bit tedious with the touch screen but I use it a lot to manage my computer away from home. It's a great feature that really enhances the functionality of the touch.
IM (Apollo)
Pretty simple, just allows you to use your IM screen name when you're connected to a wifi network. Great for people who do it on their phones already, or when they're on their computers, but aren't home a lot.
Customize/Summerboard
The really missing feature from the ITouch and iPhone. This little app lets you customize the touch with backgrounds and arrange the icons (prior to 1.1.3 update) along with more advanced setting changes.
Books
Another useful little feature that store ebooks on the touch. Another thing to supplement the movies and music you have for long train rides and plain trips.
Games Games games!
Solitare, Chess, Tetris, what more could you ask for!
Cons
Process
Sometimes the process of jailbreaking the iPod takes some time and you need a lot of patience, as most likely you'll mess it up the first few times. It can be nerve racking and stressful.
Support
If you ever need support from apple you'll have to wipe the Touch by restoring it do factory settings before having them service it or I believe they will deny you service. However, if you mess up your ipod (break, etc) to the point where you can't restore it, apple might still deny service if they search the drive and find evidence of a jailbreak (not 100% on this).
Overall, if you feel the Touch is underperforming what it could do, I would recommend jailbreaking it. Even if the SDK comes out and is amazing, you can just restore and start from scratch. You really have nothing to loose. When the SDK comes out, if people need to jailbreak the iPod still, someone will figure out a way to do it where you can be jailbroken and still have support for SDK apps.
Everything's up to you.