Sharp launches "Enterprise" Zaurus to boldly go... anywhere -- Sharp plans to ship its Linux-based Zaurus SL-6000 PDA early in 2004, supported by IBM middleware and Sprint wireless services for connecting with enterprise apps from most anywhere. Sharp's new 640x480 high-brightness VGA display tops the list of hardware enhancements, along with "laptop-like" performance and a ruggedized case. Our news item provides photos and specs of the new Zaurus.
Basic concepts of real-time operating systems -- This article by veteran real-time trainer David Kalinsky provides an introduction to real-time operating system (RTOS) kernel services. The paper is of particular interest to developers new to real-time concepts and vocabulary. Kalinsky begins by offering a comparison of RTOSes and general-purpose operating systems. He then covers real-time kernel services including task scheduling; fixed-time task switching; intertask communication and synchronization; determinism and high-speed message passing; and, dynamic memory allocation.
Embedded Linux specialist SnapGear snapped up by high-end firewall vendor -- One of the world's first embedded Linux companies has just announced that it is being acquired (again). Embedded Linux security device vendor and security-oriented Linux developer SnapGear has agreed to be acquired by CyberGuard Corp. for approximately $16 million. SnapGear has been -- and says it will continue to be -- a major contributor to the uClinux project. Read our news item for more details.
Free beer... mug? Study probes embedded Linux process -- LinuxDevices.com readers are invited to participate in a research project being conducted jointly by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Munich (LMU). The non-commercial survey examines the embedded Linux development process from a different angle than typical market research.
Servo motors, Linux/RTAI, and other fun stuff -- This detailed technical article by Pramode C.E. describes a simple application developed by Pramode's students using the Real-Time Application Interface (RTAI), a platform for developing real-time applications with Linux. Part of a computer vision project, the application controls a servo-attached webcam through a browser interface.
C/C++ development with the Eclipse platform -- The C/C++ Development Toolkit (CDT) is an Eclipse plugin that extends Eclipse for use with C/C++, rather than Eclipse's native language, Java. This article outlines how to use Eclipse for C/C++ development, including how to use CDT.
New services address "from source" embedded Linux development -- Opersys has launched an integrated set of services intended to enable developers to build embedded Linux systems straight from source without having to purchase any third-party packages or tools. These services include training, support, professional services, and mentoring. Opersys CEO and founder Karim Yaghmour says the new services are based on the approach described in his book, "Building Embedded Linux Systems."
Roadmap for developers migrating from Windows to Linux -- IBM's developerWorks Website has published a nine-part article series by IBM e-business architect Chris Walden for developers migrating from Windows to Linux. "A roadmap for developers making the transition to Linux" presents a jumplist of relatively gentle technical articles explaining how Windows skills translate to the Linux universe.
Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .
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You can access 2003's newsletters here: Nov. 13, Nov. 6, Oct. 30, Oct. 23, Oct. 16, Oct. 9, Oct. 2, Sep. 25, Sep. 18, Sep. 11, Sep. 4, Aug. 21, Aug. 14, Aug. 7, Jul. 31, Jul. 24, Jul. 17, Jul. 10, Jul. 3, Jun. 26, Jun. 19, Jun. 12, Jun. 5, May 29, May 22, May 15, May 8, May 1, Apr. 24, Apr. 17, Apr. 10, Apr. 3, Mar. 27, Mar. 20, Mar. 13, Mar. 6, Feb. 27, Feb. 20, Feb. 13, Feb. 6, Jan. 30, Jan. 23, Jan. 16, Jan. 9, Jan. 2
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