The Zaurus User Group (ZUG) will form a new organization with a broad focus on open source embedded software. The Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF) will host user forums and software downloads, with bandwidth donated by iBiblio. ZUG will continue, but with a narrower focus on Sharp's Linux-based Zaurus PDAs.

In recent years, numerous Linux/Qtopia devices have appeared that can run the fairly large body of free and commercial software originally written for the Zaurus. Thus, the changes at ZUG reflect the larger evolution of the Linux/Qtopia software environment into cellphones, set-top boxes, and more.

The changes at ZUG also reflect the evolution of Qtopia into a completely free software environment. Trolltech donated the PDA version of Qtopia to the free software community earlier this month, in order to focus on the commercially licensed cellphone version.

The changes at ZUG include:

• The Zaurus User Group website will migrate from the .com to the .org top-level domain, and will become a news and information site focused narrowly on the Zaurus
• The ZUG forums will be upgraded, and will migrate to the new OESF site, where they will enjoy a broader focus on all open embedded devices
• The Zaurus Software Index will be replaced by the Embedded Linux Software Index, which will host a variety of software feeds

Further details about the transition are available in a ZUG forum post (registration required).

Sharp's Zaurus PDA is based on a Linux kernel, along with the Qtopia graphics framework and PIM stack. Sharp has all but stopped marketing Zaurus PDAs in the US, but continues to release new models, including the hard-drive equipped SL-C3000 in Asia.

Regular LinuxDevices.com informant Bill Kendrick contributed to this story.

 
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