We have created a consumer device, the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, utilizing open source software. Our experiences demonstrate that open source technologies and development model suit very well such devices. We created the product in shorter time and with fewer resources, compared to other products utilizing proprietary software. In essence, open source offers time and cost savings in a form of readily available components and subsystems, available developers, and effective development model.Open source doesn’t solve all the problems, though. As a device manufacturer, we alone are responsible for the quality of the end product. We must therefore utilize all quality and software engineering mechanisms to achieve the needed quality. One cannot skip specification, integration, testing, and documentation, for example. In addition, open source introduces certain new requirements, such as community interaction and legal and IPR management.
Open source doesn’t make software development free or easy. It provides effective tools for product creation. Combining these new tools, such as community involvement, and utilization of open components, with more traditional software and product engineering practices is a good mix.
Source: Linux Devices
You definitely want to check out this essay out if you’re into the open source movement. I dual boot Windows XP and Ubuntu, have been for about 2 years now, and frankly I am amazed at the progress Linux on the desktop is taking. It isn’t quite up to snuff with Windows XP yet, but hopefully will be within a year at most.