Sam Williams, writing at Upside Today, offers a journalist's-eye perspective of the recent action in the real-time Linux space, and proves that even something as “dry” as real-time operating systems can be fun and exciting. As they say, “That's entertainment!” (Stay tuned for some in-depth analysis and commentary on this subject, here at LinuxDevices.com.) Williams writes . . .

“Call it the embedded Linux community's version of Tonkin Bay. After weeks of aggressive posturing and months of strategic maneuvering, two leading embedded Linux companies, Lineo and MontaVista Software, squared off in a high-profile public relations shoot-out this week.”

“Although neither side appeared to draw much blood, the circumstances of the flare-up, which revolved around differing interpretations of the term 'real-time Linux,' helped underline the growing importance of the young embedded Linux sector. What with three pre-IPO companies — Lineo, MontaVista and LynuxWorks — each fighting to position itself as the No. 1 alternative to Red Hat in the eyes of both investors and developers, it seemed only a matter of time before tempers flared.”

“MontaVista, the youngest of the three companies, was the one to trigger the dispute . . .”

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