If you own an iPod Touch, but haven't had it 'jailbroken' (unlocked), you are not using its full potential!

Jailbreaking your Touch simply allows you to use third party programs / utilities on it - there is a plethoria of brilliant applications out there ranging from task lists to chat programs and more! Jailbreaking can seem daunting, but the guide below makes it incredibly simple. There is no real risk to this, the worst case scenario is that you have to restore your iPod in iTunes.

Step 1: Downgrade to Firmware 1.1.1
Connect your Touch to iTunes and check the firmware version by looking at the iPod's Summary tab. If it is 1.1.1 already, skip this step.
If it is 1.1.2 you need to temporarily downgrade it. You can download the older firmware from here. Once it has downloaded, go to iTunes, and on your iPod's summary tab hold shift and click "Check for updates". A File dialog should open where you can select the file you just downloaded. Wait for iTunes to install the 1.1.1 software.

Step 2: Jailbreak Me
Connect to Wi-Fi with your iPod Touch, and in Safari go to www.jailbreakme.com, scroll down and click "Install AppSnap". Your screen will turn on / off but don't worry about it - this should happen. When it comes back on, you should see a new icon on the touch called "Installer". If you see this, then your iPod is jailbroken. All you have to do now is update it back to the 1.1.2 firmware.

Step 3: Update to 1.1.2
Before you update, you must 'prepare' the iPod so the jailbreak is not lost. To do this tap the installer, go to the "Install" tab and select "Tweaks 1.1.1". Here, install the "OktoPrep" application. Once you have done this, in iTunes you can let it update your iPod to the 1.1.2 firmware again.

Step 4: Jailbreak 1.1.2
To jailbreak 1.1.2 you need this package. Simply download it, extract to a directory and run the windows.bat (or jailbreak.jar if on Mac) and follow the instructions!

What Now?
Now we're in business! You now have access to hundreds of community-made programs, as well as applications Apple made for the iPhone such as mail. I will cover some of the best applications in a separate article, but for now let's just cover the basics. Your "Installer" connects you to a huge database of community made applications which you can search. For example, to add a basic "To Do" list application, go to the install tab -> Productivity -> To Do List and install it! Press the home button and magically, it is there!