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Who's afraid of embedded Linux? Microsoft
April 15, 2008
The "Spark Your Imagination" developer program for hobbyists and academics was announced at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday. In a joint agreement between Microsoft and hardware makers, the company said it is trying to boost interest in noncommercial software development around Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition.
News of Microsoft's focus on individual hobbyists and academic teams in this area of technology comes after reports over the last couple of years suggesting that embedded software development typically occurs in small, close-knit teams. The company said it is now focused on fueling the future talent pool for this segment of software development.
"We are aiming to remove the barriers that hobbyists and academics have faced in the past, by allowing them access to the best software and hardware that can be developed together into smart, connected, service-oriented devices, such as home-control systems that collect and share data between sensors, home appliances, and media or communication devices," Frank Prengel, a Microsoft Windows Embedded developer evangelist, told CNET News.com sister site ZDNet UK on Wednesday.
Under the banner of its Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Academic Alliance, Microsoft already provides some software for students in the embedded technology and design fields. Through the new program, additional offerings will include a full version of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition, along with selected boards from participating hardware vendors, at a discounted price.
As part of this announcement, Microsoft said it now offers Board Support Package (BSP) certification free of charge. This qualification guarantees compatibility with the Microsoft's designated Windows Embedded CE operating system requirements.
The initial list of hardware vendors participating in the program includes Advantech, ICOP Digital, Keith & Koep, Via Technologies, and Special Computing. The program offerings have an estimated retail value of $1,300 and are available immediately worldwide at prices ranging from $250 to $350.
Adrian Bridgwater of ZDNet UK reported from London.
See more CNET content tagged:
software development,
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005,
hobbyist,
hardware maker,
Microsoft Developer Network
(of any flavor) would be low on my list of candidates.
Linux would be my top choice. While it does require a small
amount of expertise to get past the compilation hurdle - the
speed at which one moves after this is worth this upfront cost.
WinCE starts fast and then is nothing but frustration.
Plus - the WinCE platform is a dead-end. MS must come up with
an OS that scales from the server rack to the handheld (like
Linux, Mac OS X) to compete. I doubt very much that WinCE will
survive that transition.
an OS that scales from the server rack to the handheld ..."
MS already has an OS like that...it's called Windows Embedded. Any person who has worked with a myriad of small platforms knows this. It's a shame when people like our funny friend Bill from Pittsbrugh comment on these news.com stories when they clearly have no working knowlege of the subject matter.
Or this gem, "WinCE starts fast and then is nothing but frustration."
How would you know Bill, it's obvious you're no developer of any kind.
Windows is not open and it only really benefits Microsoft. In other words they want hobbyists to work for Microsoft for free.
Screw that - I'd like to be free to develop whatever apps I see fit to build, thanks.
/P
The other case someone else sited was a simple trademark case. If Apple can sue NY State over it's use of an Apple in a logo so can Microsoft. Get over it.
If you read the article you'd find that they are talking about people writing apps that are unrelated to Microsoft's software. What you suggest is that people will get sued for using .NET or XP Embedded to build anything.
Windows after all was first created by Xerox way back when.......