LinuxDevices.com Embedded Linux Newsletter -- December 21, 2000


Welcome to the LinuxDevices.com
Embedded Linux Newsletter
December 21, 2000

by Rick Lehrbaum -- Executive Editor
ZDNet's LinuxDevices.com


*** HAPPY HOLIDAYS ***

As 2000 draws to a close, we at LinuxDevices.com would like to take a moment to wish all of our friends in the Embedded Linux community a joyous holiday season and a healthy, happy, and successful new year. It has been a cherished privilege to serve you during the past year, and we look forward to the coming year with great anticipation of an exciting year of Embedded Linux technology development and market growth.

*** FEATURED STORY ***

Fundamentals Of Real-time Linux Software Design -- this technical whitepaper explains the fundamentals of real-time Linux system programming, creates a simple model that illustrates many of the key aspects of real-time system behavior, and explores important issues that impact real-time performance, including task scheduling, preemption in the kernel, interrupt disabling, priority inversion, use of existing kernel facilities, and real-time device drivers. story

*** OTHER NEWS ***

Update On Indrema's Linux-Based Set-top Game Console -- Indrema has provided a status update and clarification concerning issues of game development and licensing, development tools, plans for games, and expected availability of the Indrema Entertainment System itself (i.e., the game console). story

IBM and Motorola PowerPC Development Systems Now Online -- DevelopOnline has announced the addition of two types of PowerPC development systems to its online collaborative development resources -- one from IBM and one from Motorola. Now, you can use these CPU manufacturers' development systems without having to wait months or spend thousands to get your own platform. story

Coming Soon: An Italian Renaissance in Embedded Linux? -- Over the past several years, Italy has been home to considerable embedded and real-time Linux development. But while RTAI has flourished, EtLinux development has suffered somewhat of a setback this year. Now, there's a new Embedded Linux offering, from an Italian startup called Ascensit. story

MontaVista to Teach Embedded Linux Development -- the "MontaVista University" training program is open to subscribing developers who wish to acquire a deeper understanding and greater development efficiency in the open source Linux domain. story

Lineo Launches Embedded Linux Scholastic Program -- Lineo Academix is a scholastic program designed to prepare industry professionals and students for the expanding field of embedded Linux programming. The program consists of three subdivisions -- for students, industry professionals, and private training institutions. story

Qt Palmtop Environment 1.1 Available for Download -- Trolltech has announced the release of version 1.1 of the Qt Palmtop Environment, a leading GUI software package for embedded Linux released under the GPL. story

Japan Embedded Linux Consortium (EMBLIX) Elects Officers -- EMBLIX has announced its first officers and has established three working groups intended to generate discussion within the Embedded Linux community about platform and interoperability issues. story

System-on-chip Uses Open Source CPU and Embedded Linux -- Metaflow Technologies has introduced a system-on-chip architecture that is based on open source IP for both its key hardware and software components. Embedded Linux support, including drivers for all foundational components, is a central theme of this new product's promotional strategy. story

TimeSys Challenges Criticism of "Real-time Linux" -- in this article, Lonnie VanZandt, Sr. Systems Engineer of TimeSys Corporation, takes issue with a comment about "disadvantages of real-time Linux" that appeared in a report from the second annual Real-Time Linux Workshop, held recently in Orlando, Florida. story

Want to Beta Test a MyLinux PDA? Register Now! -- the Developer Edition of the MyLinux PDA is intended to be used for initial bring-up of the Linux Kernel and low-level hardware and device driver debugging. A limited quantity will be made available for outside beta testers/developers. story

*** LINKS OF THE WEEK ***

FlightLinux -- embedded real-time Linux for spacecraft -- a concept that uses a real-time variation of the open source Linux operating system for onboard spacecraft use. story

Netboot -- diskless boot via IP network -- with Netboot, you can boot an x86-based computer via an IP network without accessing a hard or floppy disk. story

uClibc -- a C library for embedded systems -- you can actually statically link a "Hello World" application on an x86-based system that only takes 4K bytes -- as opposed to 200KB or more, under GNU libc. story

NILO -- the (new) Network Interface Loader -- suitable for booting Linux, FreeBSD, or Windows from ROM or Flash. Also supports the Intel PXE standard. story

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