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Everyone wants something for free, especially on the Internet. Thus for April we thought it wise to take a moment to provide a quick tour of free software for embedded systems on the Internet.

Among 'free software' for embedded systems, perhaps the oldest is the GNU tool chain. The basic starting point is the GNU Project Web Server . Sourceforge is the largest repository of free software. Using the search utility, you can search for 'msp430,' for example, and locate a project focused on a port of the GNU C Compiler (GCC) and GNU Binutils (as, ld) for the embedded processor MSP430. ( http://sourceforge.net/projects/mspgcc/ ). For more on GNU, don't miss Bill Gatliff 's excellent home page. Gatliff is an expert on GNU software for embedded systems, in particular Crossgcc. He also provides training on GNU as well as Embedded Linux.

But the most famous free software, of course, is Embedded Linux . Vendors eager to promote 'embedded Linux' often provide easy-to-download versions on their Web sites. Check out, for example, BlueCat Linux , Snapgear Linux , and the MontaVista Embedded Linux Preview . For more free Linux distributions, browse our Embedded Linux keyword, here . Once you're a Linux addict, log on to Linuxdevices.com for more than anyone could ever want to know on 'embedded Linux.'

Free means more than just GNU or Linux, however. For example, some of the most popular searches on eg3.com are for free real-time operating systems. Among our most popular are -

• FreeRTOS - Realtime Scheduler
• eCOS
• E.R.I.K.A. (ERIKA) - Open Source RTOS for Automotive
• FIASCO
• SOS (Small Operating System)

Browse our complete list of free RTOS's, here as well as our list of commercial RTOS demo's, here . If you know of another, please email us at info@eg3.com !

Among interesting sites new to eg3.com in March, we became reacquainted with an 'old friend,' Extension Media . This publisher of product catalogs has expanded, and added a new Embedded Java catalog. They exist in both free print and online versions, and the whole site is well worth a bookmark. Sean Liming bugged us into noticing his excellent Windows XP Embedded Center . Mr. Liming, not surprisingly, is an expert Windows XP consultant.

( conference, 4 stars ) - 4/11/2005, Detroit

SAE World Congress
SAE World Congress Sees Return of Key Companies, Nears Exhibit Sellout Excitement is steadily building for the March 3rd opening of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) 2003 World Congress. With a new format and a more visible presence by major OEMs on the exhibit floor, many high profile supplier companies are re-engaging with the event.

( conference, 4 stars ) - 4/18/2005, Salt Lake City

Software Technology Conference
Welcome to the Software Technology Conference (STC 2003)! The goal of the conference is to provide a forum for software professionals in the Department of Defense (DoD), related industries, and academia to increase their understanding of effective software technologies and exchange lessons learned in the acquisition, development, support, and management of software intensive systems.

( conference, 4 stars ) - 4/21/2005, Las Vegas

Broadband Wireless World
Over 35 Educational Sessions Covering: WiMAX Infrastructure Planning, Implementation and Performance Enterprise Applications & Services for Differentiation Rural and Underserved Markets Fixed-Mobile Convergence PLUS: SPECIAL FOCUS: Municipal Wireless Networks

( conference, 4 stars ) - 4/25/2005, Seattle

WinHEC
WinHEC -- the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference -- provides technical details, technology road maps, and design solutions for hardware engineers and driver developers who create products that work with the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems.

( conference, 4 stars ) - 5/1/2005, Las Vegas

NetWorld+Interop
NetWorld+Interop provides networking, Internet and telecommunications professionals with a uniquely comprehensive forum for education and hands-on evaluation of products and services in order to make critical purchasing decisions. NetWorld+Interop affords buyers from enterprises, carrier/service providers, and resellers/integrators the opportunity to experience live technology demonstrations first-hand.

( conference, 5 stars ) - 5/9/2005, Las Vegas

Microsoft Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2005
premier developer event focused on the future of Microsoft Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded platforms. MEDC 2005 offers attendees the opportunity to learn how to build and bring to market devices and applications - and access to the latest code, hands-on labs, technical breakout sessions, and much more.