I'm wondering about buying a Nook Color, but I don't want it unless I can write and install my own apps for it. I don't qualify for the Nook Color development program; I just want to noodle around. Do I have to root it and install another version of Android first?
It looks like the stock Color Nook does not allow you to enable loading APKs from "Unknown Sources", however, there's an article here that shows you how to make a bootable SD card to enable loading apps without rooting.
I have sent my own APKs to a friend who has a rooted color nook, which work fine (I've even got an emulator with the same resolution as his nook to preview what they look like on his device before I send them to him).