New to Android, Some Questions?

I'm very new to Android, only had them about a month. I bought a tablet online from China (purchased from TenQ) It's a Fly Touch 3 (EPad FlyTouch 3 (SuperPad 2)), Not sure about the manufacturer, There seems to be some of these are fake some are real, some confusion on that issue. And I also bought a LG Optimus T from T-Mobile. They both seem to be running Android 2.2 Froyo.

I'm quite happy with them both, but have some preliminary questions.

#1
The tablet doesn't seem to want to update, I'm not sure if it doesn't need it or what, I get this error, = (Failed in checking for updates, Err 301)

#2
The tablet doesn't seem to show all the same packages in the market place the phone does, for one thing I only have a choose of free apps.

#3
I'm interested in Rooting these devices, but have never flashed a bois or rom, nor have I ever done any firmware upgrades. Although I'm a Linux Power User. Is there some good tutorial that will take a green horn through that process? And also I need to be educated as to wither the process is the same on both devices or not.

I guess That will do for now, I have more question, but hope to learn more first so as to formulate them better.