Embedded Systems Design - June 2008 - (Page 12)

J2ME/CDC applications). We’ve been shipping 2.6.24 since last year (we keep current). For products with an LCD, touch-panel, GUI, Ethernet, and/or cellular comms, Linux is the lowest cost and most robust option out there. If there was something better, we’d be using it. And please don’t discuss companies, such as Wind River, that are completely new to the game as a baWhy do you waste our time with the sis for your argudrivel? Mr. O’Dowd is ments. the guy who two years Finally, there is ago said: no such thing as em“Linux in the debedded Linux—it’s fense environment is the I don’t think that “embedded Linux is the just Linux! classic Trojan horse scemost hyped embedded operating system —Bempey nario—a gift of ‘free’ ever.” Ever hear of Microsoft’s CEO software is being Posted on brought inside our critiAuto-PC/Windows-CE/Windows-Mobile? Embedded.com Forum cal defenses. If we proceed with plans to allow Linux, embedded Linux to run these deand otherwise, is being used in the I don’t think that “embedded Linux fense systems without demanding is the most hyped embedded operat- defense industry. Ever here of SELinproof that it contains no subversive ux? I have a relative in the service, ing system ever.” Ever hear of Mior dangerous code waiting to emerge and he’s told me twice about systems after we bring it inside, then we invite crosoft’s Auto-PC/Windows-CE/ he uses that show a Linux boot Windows-Mobile? the fate of Troy.” screen. As for Linux costs: (following in And by the way, his company sells Why is Linux so popular? the articles style of self-promotion) their own proprietary operating sysBecause it’s open. You can see we build, ship, and support tens of tem. Geez, what a coincidence. exactly what you’re getting, get help —JOE42 thousands of Linux systems a year from others using it, and make it do Software Engineer spread across multiple products for exactly what you want it to do. RealPosted on Embedded.com Forum each of multiple customers. ly, it’s not that hard. We design custom products Hmmm, I wonder if Mr. O’ Dowd (Linux on ARM) for each customer The author has some valid points, might have a vested interest in runand ship a custom Linux image for but the article is obviously self-servning down embedded Linux? ing. For a more even-handed analysis, every product. —P. Simpson Custom hardware designs cost see my May 5th blog (“What's the Electrical Engineer $10k to $25k, and porting/customizdeal with Embedded Linux?” Posted on Embedded.com Forum www.dspdesignline.com/blogs) on DSP ing of the Linux image is typically $5k per product. DesignLine. I ﬁnd it very sad to ﬁnd this article in We deliver working protos on —Kenton Williston Site Editor custom hardware with a custom Lin- your otherwise high-quality magazine under the heading “guest editor.” UnDSP DesignLine ux image in 6 to 10 weeks from conder that heading, people may actually Posted on Embedded.com Forum tract signing. put some stock into it. A more approOur customers write their own priate heading might have been “opinapplications that run on our MedalA paid advertisement disclaimer as ion” or even “company shill” or “paid lion Linux (in C/C++ or Python or the first paragraph would have been whatever they want, or we supply helpful! CONTINUED ON PAGE 51 our custom port of IBM’s J9 VM for By the way, my employer has CS partner took to learn how to conﬁgure and use it and for me to learn how to write drivers. A commericial operating system might have been faster due to telephone support but even it would probably have take one man year. —Fredskber Senior Engineer Posted on Embedded.com Forum spent over 80K with MontaVista. Over six months later, we still can’t use their product. I’ve built a kernel and tools from free and available source off the web that runs a heck of a lot better. All of these companies’ marketing is just hype. —Chuck Wright Embedded Designer Posted on Embedded.com Forum 12 JUNE 2008 | embedded systems design | www.embedded.com http://Embedded.com http://Embedded.com http://Embedded.com http://Embedded.com http://www.dspdesignline.com/blogs http://Embedded.com http://Embedded.com http://www.embedded.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Embedded Systems Design - June 2008

Embedded Systems Design - June 2008 Contents #Include Party Bit Programmer's Toolbox Cover Feature: Virtual Hardware Platforms for Embedded Software Validation Allocating Memory in MATLAB-to-C Code MDD and IDEs: Making the Twain Meet in Embedded Systems Design Avoid a Thrashing Guest Editor Advertising Index Break Points Marketplace

Embedded Systems Design - June 2008

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