EDC developer survey: Linux, Windows neck-and-neck in embedded -- According to data recently compiled by Evans Data Corp (EDC), Linux and Windows are running neck-and-neck in terms of developer use for future projects. The newest installment of EDC's Embedded Systems Developer Survey, fielded in July 2002, shows 30.2% of embedded developers expect to use Linux in their next embedded project, while 16.2% say they will use Windows CE and another 14.4% say they will use Windows XP Embedded -- giving Windows Embedded operating systems a slight edge over Embedded Linux, at 30.6% vs. 30.2%. However, Embedded Linux has nearly double the growth rate. Story
Introducing Embedded Software Development with eCos -- Anthony J. Massa provided this brief introduction to his new book on eCos which will be published later this year by Prentice Hall. Massa describes his book as "the quickest way to get started using . . . the open-source and royalty-free Embedded Configurable Operating System (eCos)." Story
Wind River's Fiddler on the advantages -- and disadvantages -- of Linux -- Wind River's chairman and cofounder Jerry Fiddler has written a whitepaper about the strengths and weaknesses of Linux relative to use in embedded systems and devices. Not surprisingly, Fiddler concludes that although there are some attractive attributes associated with Linux, embedded system and device developers would be much better off using one of Wind River's products -- either VxWorks or BSD/OS. Story
Device Profile: CorAccess home management appliances -- This LinuxDevices.com 'device profile' introduces a pair of home appliances which contain Linux as their embedded operating systems. The CorAccess Companion Home Management Panels give homeowners one-touch access to lighting, appliances, thermostat and security control, as well as a digital photo frame, and provide a convenient camera monitoring function which makes it easy to check the front door, the kids' playroom, and even traffic and weather. Additionally, the devices represent platforms for future applications such as intercom, Internet radio, and whole-home audio control. Story
MITRE report on use of Free and Open-Source Software by the U.S. Dept. of Defense -- Mitre Corp. has published a study entitled Use of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) in the U.S. Department of Defense. The study was reportedly commissioned by the U.S. government. The full 160-page MITRE paper is available for free download. [Don't worry -- only the first 26 pages are the actual discussion; the balance consists of appendices.] Story
Familiar Linux project releases vers. 0.6, Opie 1.0 coming soon -- handhelds.org has released version 0.6 of the Familiar Linux distribution for the iPAQ and other handheld devices. New features include BusyBox as well as a 2.4.18 Linux kernel which includes patches for preemptive multitasking. Also, the Open Palmtop Integrated Environment (OPIE) is heading towards its first stable 1.0 release. Story
TV Linux Alliance releases first spec -- The TV Linux Alliance, a consortium of digital media technology suppliers established to define a standards-based Linux environment for the digital set-top box market, announced the availability of its specification version 0.8. The group's specification defines a standardized set of programming interfaces speeding the development of Linux-based set-top applications. Story
DirectFB 0.9.14 released -- A new development version of DirectFB has been released. This is the first version of this graphics library that offers the ability to run DirectFB applications on SDL instead of the Linux frame buffer device. This makes it possible to use DirectFB on BSD and allows developers to integrate DirectFB application development into their X11 working environment. Story
Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .
Read them here: Oct. 24, 2002, Oct. 17, 2002, Oct. 10, 2002, Oct. 3, 2002, Sep. 26, 2002, Sep. 19, 2002, Sep. 12, 2002, Sep. 5, 2002, Aug. 29, 2002, Aug. 22, 2002, Aug. 15, 2002, Aug. 8, 2002, Aug. 1, 2002, Jul. 25, 2002, Jul. 18, 2002, Jul. 11, 2002, Jul. 4, 2002, Jun. 27, 2002, Jun. 20, 2002, Jun. 13, 2002, Jun. 6, 2002, May 30, 2002, May 23, 2002, May 16, 2002, May 9, 2002, May 2, 2002, Apr. 25, 2002, Apr. 18, 2002, Apr. 11, 2002, Apr. 4, 2002, Mar. 28, 2002, Mar. 21, 2002, Mar. 14, 2002, Mar. 7, 2002, Feb. 28, 2002, Feb. 21, 2002, Feb. 14, 2002, Feb. 7, 2002, Jan. 31, 2002, Jan. 24, 2002, Jan. 17, 2002, Jan. 10, 2002, Jan. 3, 2002
Be sure to stop by LinuxDevices.com -- "the Embedded Linux Portal" -- for the latest news, articles, forums, products, companies, jobs, and buzz in the fast-moving "post-PC" world of Linux-based intelligent devices, Internet appliances, and embedded systems. You can contact us here.