Back in early 1994, when I was just getting Linux Journal started, I recognized the need for an intelligent serial communications board that worked with Linux. I started talking to vendors about adding Linux support. Unfortunately, most vendors of these products weren't ready to take Linux seriously.
Of all the vendors, Cyclades was at least talking to me. They later admitted that they thought I was crazy, but I managed to convince them to donate a board if I could find someone willing to write the necessary Linux driver. The card went to Randy Bentson and the driver got written.
The next time I talked to their director of marketing, about six months later, she told me that 50% of the domestic sales of that board were going to Linux users. So, while Cyclades came kicking and screaming into the Linux community, they came here long ago and have stayed. I'm very pleased to see that they are now using embedded Linux and even more pleased that they took the step on their own.
--Phil Hughes