An open letter to the Linux community

Now this is more like it. Nothing proves that a company is serious about Linux like starting up a true dialog with the Linux community. PalmSource did a great job at covering the who, when, what and why of using Linux in their Palm powered devices.

The letter was well thought out and dare I say even a little proactive toward the questions that many of us have. I hope that Linux provides PalmSource with what they need and this proves to be a productive relationship for all involved.

What we’re doing. We intend to offer future versions of Palm OS Cobalt as a software layer on top of Linux (specifically, on the Linux kernel plus selected Linux services appropriate to mobile devices). The Palm OS software layer will include our well-known UI as well as a set of middleware and applications that encompass the best of Palm OS. We intend that properly written Palm OS 68k applications will run unchanged on Palm OS for Linux, and that Palm OS® Cobalt native applications using the Palm OS Protein APIs will port with a simple recompile. In addition, Palm OS for Linux will be able to run many third party Linux applications and services (GUI applications will need to use the Palm OS APIs).