What sources of Linux were/will be in your (company's) embedded designs?
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1. All the latest packages --Ironically, Debian is sometimes faulted for infrequent stable releases. But developers don't care so much about the kind of "stability" that the stable branch buys you -- desktop integration and UI fit and finish. They all run the "unstable" branch, and generally apt-get important packages weeks, days, or hours after they are released upstream -- and months before they appear in packaged distributions.
   
   
2. It's comprehensive -- Last time I checked, Debian had more than 14,000 packages. It's rare to find an open source software package that is not maintained in Debian. The average maintainer's age is about 23. Learning to build and package software is a great introduction to open source programming.
   
   
3. It's never going out of business -- Debian is not in any way affiliated with any commercial venture, and thus is pretty much not going to be the next BeOS.
   
   
4. It's convenient -- Hm, I wonder if there's an open source software package that does xyz. Apt-cache search xyz. Dpkg -l '*xyz*'. Apt-cache show xyz-utils. Apt-get install xyz-utils. It's as simple as that. And probably even simpler with aptitude, which is what we're all supposed to be using by now, you know.
   
   
5. 11 architectures -- Actually, I think there are more architectures than this, but only 11 appear to have installation manuals (those incredibly prolix things! Someone should take a machete to them). Developers (especially device developers) like lots of architectures, since they all have their strengths (x86 for complex multi-tasking UIs, ARM for low power, MIPS and PowerPC for extensibility, etc).
   
   
6. It's infinitely malleable -- When you install Debian, you can opt for one of the "tasksel" packages, such as "desktop" or "print server," etc., etc. However, you don't have to. You can still very easily install only the most minimal of components, and then simply add what you need, as you need it. After a week or so, you've got everything you need, and nothing you don't -- a great strategy for increasing security and getting the most from your system.
   
   
7. You're not stuck inside Debian -- If you have to install RPMs, you can convert them into DEBs using the alien scripts. If you want to build stuff from source, you can "hold" packages so your custom-built stuff won't get clobbered by the next system-wide upgrade.
   
   
8. Easy system maintenance, even between major releases -- With each new release, instead of downloading a CD and wiping out your root filesystem, just apt-get dist-upgrade. And, you can sync up to the latest and greatest versions of everything as often as you like.
   
   
9. Support of other Debian users -- Debian users tend toward omniscience, or at least fiercely competitive peer review, even of support advice. The #debian channel on freenode is a great place to observe this in action, and get help solving any question you like (as long as it's actually a Debian question).

• Snapshot of the embedded Linux market -- April, 2007
• Sources of embedded Linux remain diverse
  
• ARM still top architecture
  
• Debian 4.0 is out the door
  
• Debian Linux controls copter-like UAV
  
• Intel IOPs gain better Debian Linux support
  
• Debian-based thin client OS steps up to 2.6 kernel
  
• Community Linux router distro goes Debian
  
• SOHO server appliance runs Debian ARM Linux
  
• Debian ARM accelerates via EABI port
  
• Compact, fanless home server runs Debian Linux
  
• ARM now third most-popular Debian arch