Have a look at post #31 of this link:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=224800
I posted simple instructions to make a Debian chroot for ARM which allows you to compile almost anything, the trick is getting it to display properly. Most of the programs I've seen/tried need to patch in the window title in a special format to make it on the top layer. Can be done, just a bit tricky. Look at some of the projects for KUAL, twobob and I have even included some patches for stuff. With twobobs help I finally got kcheckers to work for example and included a patch.
I have only a Touch, so debricking is pretty easy (and I have needed it

. Good luck with what you decide! I'd like to see some more projects!