Well the good news is that i successfully installed ubuntu 10.10 net edition on the slate with everything working - i.e.
wifi
sd cards
soundwebcam
and best of all the touchscreen! with minimal editing of the grub file. there is an on screen keyboard but it needs to be modified so that it shows at logon etc, but i read that they will be making a decent version of one soon.
if anyone wants instructions send me a pvt message