For my particular needs I knew that it would be necessary for me to root my new nookColor soon after I purchased it. I needed something which would read my computer science textbooks for school. Most of these books are in PDF format. I tested the default PDF viewer and was displeased with the performance. It did not remember the page I was on last and there was no option for bookmaking and on top of that it was slow. The default office software is honestly not very good including the web browser no pinch to zoom. But thanks to xda development team we now have options at our disposal. With a batch program called autonooter the process of rooting has been simplified for those with intermediate computer skills.
Perhaps barnes and noble will make an official update with the android market included. But until then we can do this in the mean time. Those that are completely satisfied with the way the nook performs should not be bothered with rooting, but for those looking to squeeze every last ounce out of this should give it a go. If you have a general curiosity then you can cure your curiosity by attempting this as it can be undone there is no harm done. I will demonstrate how to undo incase you no longer wish to restore.
Things you will need
An sd card reader
Micro sd card and adaptor
USB cord
Nook color updated to 1.01
Autonooter