San Francisco, CA — (press release excerpt) — The Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC) and Extension Media, a publisher of custom media and marketing communication solutions, today announced an agreement to develop the first cross-vendor product catalog providing embedded developers with must-have data on development tools and applications that support Linux.

The Embedded Linux Resource Catalog 2002/2003 will serve as a valuable one-stop guide for developers when specifying tools, hardware and services. ELRC will be comprised of data sheets, industry analysis, luminary perspectives, application articles, case studies and an update on platform standards. A printed version of ELRC will be off press in November and available at the Embedded Systems Conference in Boston. ELRC will also be available in a searchable, online format, regularly updated, on both the ELC and Extension Media web sites.

“This catalog is a worthwhile resource that will help unify our fast-paced market and silence competitors who use the diversity of the Linux community against us,” said Dr. Inder Singh, ELC Chair and CEO of LynuxWorks. “It addresses a growing need for information by companies who want to develop with embedded Linux and need a central location to go and find tools and other software for development. Our alliance with Extension Media is bound to put a business-winning document into developer hands by turning diversity into strength.”

To ensure a highly useful and long-lived catalog, an advisory board has been formed, composed of Linux-centric technical and editorial experts:

• David Mandala, Independent Consultant (formerly with DevelopOnLine.com)
  
• Bill Weinberg, MontaVista Software
  
• Rick Stevenson, SnapGear, Inc.
  
• Vic Sohal, LynuxWorks
  
• Victor Yodaiken, FSM Labs
  
• Marc Erickson, IBM
  
• Murry Shohat, Embedded Linux Consortium

“Industry maturation suggests the need for a diverse, enriched information source, and this is our objective. The embedded community needs a pragmatic design and development source that additionally serves as a communications vehicle to help unify, inform and encourage new Linux-based projects,” said Murry Shohat, executive director at the ELC. “Backed by our talented advisory board, publishing experts, and support from development tool vendors, ELRC is destined to be a winner.”

According to Vince Ridley, president at Extension Media, “Our perception of Linux' market strength was a key driver to this alliance and we intend to help the embedded community and the ELC achieve success through our publishing and related promotional effort. The catalog provides tools and applications vendors a unique medium to educate developers on the strengths of their products, gain significant visibility and demonstrate their long-term support for Linux.”

Recently published market research by groups such as IDC, VDC and Evans Data Corporation underscore the extraordinary growth of Linux as an embedded OS, including predictions of market share leadership by the end of the year. Other research shows that Linux is replacing 'home brew' or 'roll-your-own' proprietary operating systems in thousands of embedded applications. High availability, security, maturity of code, vast microprocessor neutrality, bazaar-style open source development methodology and customer friendly and fair licensing are among the oft-cited reasons.

ELRC offers a variety of cost-effective participation levels including data sheets, display advertising, application articles, and co-sponsorships. Substantial discounts are available exclusively to ELC members. Contact Karen Murray, VP Marketing & Product Development for Extension Media for complete details and rates.

 
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