This article continues a series of tutorials on embedded Linux system development contributed by noted ARM Linux kernel hackers Vincent Sanders and Daniel Silverstone.

Longtime embedded Linux developer Behan Webster has released a collection of utilities for developers assembling root filesystems from Debian packages and compiled applications. The "Embedded Linux Build System" (elbs) utilities can be used to quickly assemble NFS-mounted or flash-based filesystems that support native development, as well as apt-getting Debian binaries.

UK embedded software training firm Feabhas will host a pair of embedded Linux workshops at next month's Embedded Systems Show (ESS). Slated for Oct. 1-2 in Birmingham, UK, the event also features a "Build Your Own Embedded System" (BYOES) seminar using Linux and TI/DigiKey Beagle Boards.

As an electrical engineer with an automotive background, when I think of Linux, I think of servers, PCs, supercomputers, and so forth. Embedded applications don't really come to mind when I consider Linux. However, Linux is used as an operating system for many phones, games, and other devices with embedded software.

While Linux is widely used in servers and is growing slowly on the desktop side, the embedded market for Linux is one that continues to have momentum. One such proof point for came this week from the year end financial results for embedded operating system vendor Wind River

"Many tools are available for programming various versions of ARM cores, but one particularly popular set is the GNU ARM toolchain. Learn more about embedded development using the ARM core, as well as how to install the GNU tools and begin using them..."

A "significant portion" of development teams continue to use Linux as their primary embedded OS, a recent VDC survey finds. Additionally, the results suggest the trend will persist, "as the majority of current Linux users surveyed plan to use Linux again as their primary operating system on future [embedded] projects."

The open industry group overseeing the PowerPC architecture has gained seven new members, including two more embedded Linux providers. Power.org now boasts 35 corporate members, including semiconductor vendors, embedded design service companies, chip design tool vendors, chip foundries, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and hardware and software vendors.

Learn how to install, upgrade, and manage packages on your Linux® system. This article focuses on the Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, which is the package management system used by Debian and distributions derived from Debian, such as Ubuntu.