Mentor Blogs

Posts tagged with 'Open Source'

In an open-source world, it’s all about integration

Posted Apr 16, 2012, by Colin Walls

I have historically been somewhat skeptical about open source software [OSS]. I am always wary of anything that is “free” and subscribe to the TANSTAAFL ["there ain't no such thing as a free lunch"] principle. It has taken me quite a few years to understand that open software is not free – it is just a different business model from the usual “we make it, you buy it” approach. I … Read More

Tags: Linux, Nucleus, Open Source

On the road again

Posted Dec 5, 2011, by Colin Walls

I recently mentioned that this time of year is very busy for me, with numerous conferences and similar events to attend – normally to deliver presentations. The most hectic period is past and, as the Christmas and New Year holiday approaches, things are settling down. Except for this week, when I am attending two conferences: On Tuesday, I am going to ESE Kongress in Stuttgart, Germany. I have … Read More

Tags: IP-SoC, USB, ESE Kongress, Open Source, Development Tools

What is the plural of Linux?

Posted Nov 21, 2011, by Colin Walls

Somebody asked me: “What is the plural of Linux?” Maybe it is Linuxes. That sounds a bit messy, which seems rather appropriate really… If we think about the desktop world and buying application software, you might have a Windows PC or a Mac or perhaps you run Linux. It is typical for the spec for an application to discuss hardware and OS compatibility. There will normally be ridiculously … Read More

Tags: Linux, Nucleus, RTOS, Open Source

The value of software

Posted Oct 17, 2011, by Colin Walls

It is interesting how different parts of my life intersect with one another. I am thinking of my working life in embedded software and an aspect of my personal life: my lifelong interest in photography. Years ago, they were very separate activities, but the move from film to digital has brought them closer together. A particular incident occurred last week that raised interesting questions about the … Read More

Tags: Open Source, Development Tools

Embedded tools - the third way

Posted Jul 25, 2011, by Colin Walls

A significant factor in getting any job done properly is having the right tools. This is true whether you are building a kitchen, fixing your car or developing embedded software. Of course, it is the last of these that I am interested in here. I have been evangelizing on this topic for years [decades!]. The problem is that there is a similarity – arguably superficial – between programming … Read More

Tags: Development Tools, C, Open Source

Introducing OpenMCAPI

Posted Mar 30, 2011, by Hollis Blanchard

Mentor recently shared OpenMCAPI, our MCAPI implementation, with the world under an open source license (BSD). We’re proud of it because it was especially designed for portability, and while it’s sophisticated enough to offer advanced features like asynchronous communication, it’s simple enough that it can be easily understood and deployed on low-resource embedded systems. So what … Read More

Tags: Open Source, Multi-OS, MCAPI, Multicore, AMP, Linux