LinuxDevices.com, the popular “Embedded Linux Portal”, today announced the results of the first poll in its new Embedded Linux Polls series. The first completed poll's topic was: “Why use Linux in embedded apps?” Exactly 100 users and prospective users of Linux in embedded applications participated in the first Embedded Linux poll, whose results can be seen graphically online, at: href=”/cgi-bin/survey/survey.cgi?view=archive&id=121199161436″>“First Poll Results”.

The poll asked embedded Linux developers three questions:

Question 1: What are your main reasons for wanting to use Linux in embedded applications?

Not surprisingly, the top two reasons were:

• “Source code is available (and free)”, at slightly over 20%; and
  
• “No runtime royalties”, at just over 19%.

Slightly behind those two reasons, were:

• “Linux is more robust/reliable”, at 17%; and
  
• “Linux has excellent networking support”, at 16%.

Question 2: Have you already used Linux in an embedded application?

Interestingly, two-thirds answered “no” to this question, indicating that the use of Linux in embedded applications is not firmly established as yet.

Question 3: When do you expect to begin your first Linux based embedded project?

Now here's the really exciting news for the embedded Linux market: over 70% of all poll respondents anwered that they are either developing their embedded Linux application already, or will be doing so within the next 12 months.

About the LinuxDevices.com Embedded Linux Polls

The LinuxDevices.com online Embedded Linux Polls function was created to track developer and user trends and preferences in the hot emerging market for Linux in non-desktop “embedded” system applications. Through these polls, LinuxDevices.com will measure and characterize current and future preferences and trends of embedded system developers. Like Linux itself, the poll data collected is fully and freely available for all to review following the conclusion of each poll, at: www.linuxdevices.com/polls.

LinuxDevices.com has also invited companies and developers in the embedded Linux market to submit proposed questions for future Embedded Linux Polls via email, to [email protected].

 
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