Kernel 2.6.0 takes wing: "Linux for everyone" -- Late last month, the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) announced that Linus Torvalds and production kernel maintainer Andrew Morton have released the 2.6 Linux production kernel. The new operating system software -- available on the Web as source code -- is a major release of a new Linux production kernel. The last time this happened was with the 2.4 kernel release in January 2001.
CELF CELinux source tree available for use, comments, contributions -- The Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF) quietly made its first baseline Linux source code release on Nov. 24, 2003, marking the consortium's first steps towards fulfilling its charter to make Linux more useful in consumer electronics devices. The initial source tree includes improvements to startup and shutdown time, real-time functionality, ROM/RAM size requirements, and power management features. It is available for download by the general public, and non-members of CELF are invited to use, comment on, and contribute to the source code, which is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).
The perfect Linux PDA? -- This guest editorial by Benjamin Meyer comprises a very brief introduction followed by a long list of features and considerations that Meyer believes should go into creating the "perfect Linux PDA". The editorial covers everything from desired hardware features to specific applications that ought to be included. A talkback thread offers an opportunity for readers to add to -- and comment on -- the list.
Linux, Symbian, Microsoft scuffle in burgeoning smartphone market -- According to a summary market research report from Allied Business Intelligence (ABI), wireless handset operating systems and middleware have started playing an increasingly important role for OEMs/ODMs. After a long tradition of handsets equipped with firmware/proprietary OSes, current Smartphones offer standardized platforms allowing flexibility to communicate seamlessly among various devices. Besides the obvious cost advantages that come along with standardized OS/middleware to the handset makers, users also benefit from the pool of applications that are developed based on these platforms.
Transmeta spins Crusoe-based Mini-ITX mobo -- Transmeta introduced two reference platforms this week, to support device and system designs based on its Efficeon TM8600 and Crusoe TM5900 processors. Both platforms support Linux. Interestingly, the Crusoe TM5900 reference platform is implemented in the increasingly popular Mini-ITX motherboard form-factor pioneered by Via, one of Transmeta's main x86-compatible processor rivals.
Debugging "configure" (when programs won't build) -- All too often, checking the README of a package yields only the none-too-specific "Build instructions: run configure, then run make." But what about when that doesn't work? This article discusses what to do when an automatic configuration script doesn't work -- and what you can do as a developer to keep failures to a minimum.
GNU founder comments on 20 years of "Free" software -- Richard Stallman has published an essay about the meaning of free software, on the 20th anniversary of his decision to quit his job at MIT to focus on creating "GNU's Not Unix" (GNU), a free Unix-like operating system.
PC and CE titans clash in home entertainment market -- A brief market research summary outlines growing overlap and competition between personal computer (PC) and consumer electronics (CE) vendors, as PC vendors seek higher-margin markets, and computing and consumer technologies converge. PC vendors are unlikely to win much of a stake in the consumer electronics domain, though, according to research firm ABI.
Embedded Linux reach grew in 2003 -- An article at the Software Development Times notes that many of the major embedded computing stories of 2003 were informed by Linux, either explicitly or implicitly. The article itemizes key advances for embedded Linux in 2003, and also examines Microsoft's loosening of access to Windows CE source code and radical price reductions, which are seen as "survival tactics" in the face of increased competition from embedded Linux.
Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .
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