============================================ Genode Labs Newsletter - February/March 2009 ============================================ Content 1. Genode OS Framework release 9.02 2. Genode FPGA Graphics release 9.03 3. Roundup on the Embedded World exhibition 2009 4. Full text of "Securing Graphical User Interfaces" published 1. Genode OS Framework release 9.02 ----------------------------------- The Genode OS Framework is an open-source framework that allows for creating custom microkernel-based operating systems for executing dynamic application workload while maintaining high security. The development of the framework makes steady progress. As scheduled for February, we have released the new version 9.02. In addition to the already supported base platforms 32-bit Linux and L4/Fiasco, this release introduces support for the L4ka::Pistachio microkernel in the main-line development. This high-performance kernel implements the latest L4 kernel API and supports a number of advanced features such as multi-processor support and virtualization. By bringing Genode to this base platform, we will be able to leverage these features in the future. With the addition of the L4ka::Pistachio support to the framework, it has now become possible to develop applications and services that are equally executable on Linux, the L4/Fiasco kernel, and the L4ka::Pistachio kernel without any modifications. In addition to extending the range of supported kernel platforms, the current release enhances Genode's functionality by wide margins. In particular, we introduced a device driver environment for executing Linux-2.6 device drivers on Genode, added basic networking support, and made the Qt4 application framework natively available on Genode. Read on about the new features described in the release notes: http://genode.org/documentation/release-notes/9.02 Download the release 9.02 of the Genode OS Framework: http://genode.org/download/latest-release 2. Genode FPGA Graphics release 9.03 ------------------------------------ The Genode FPGA Graphics project (Genode FX) is a hardware-software solution for realizing fully-fledged windowed GUIs on FPGA platforms. In contrast to the previous versions released in 2008, which were primarily focused on improving the hardware side of Genode FX, the release 9.03 brings the first major software update. We enhanced the software stack to support the rendering of anti-aliased fonts, made effects such as drop shadows and translucent windows configurable at runtime, and restructured the graphics back end to ease the future support of different pixel formats. The highlight of this release, however, is a completely new demonstration project featuring a terminal window to directly interact with the GUI via its command interface, a new settings window, a slide show, and a grid widget demo. See a screenshot of the new demonstration project: https://sourceforge.net/project/screenshots.php?group_id=237260 Download the new release at the project's Sourceforge site: https://sourceforge.net/projects/genode-fx 3. Roundup on the Embedded World exhibition 2009 ------------------------------------------------ In the beginning of March, we presented the Genode FPGA Graphics project at the booth of Trenz Electronic at the Embedded World 2009. It was Genode Labs's first presence as co-exhibitor at a major exhibition and for us, it was a big success. We came in contact with potential customers who clearly identified the benefits of our solution for their businesses. Furthermore, we had the joy to meet many students, researchers, and developers with a sound interest in our technology and in exploring the open-source version of Genode FX. Thanks to all of you who came by to meet us in person and for the engaging talks we had. We want to especially thank Thorsten Trenz and the other co-exhibitors at our booth for making the exhibition such a delightful and inspiring experience. 4. Full text of "Securing Graphical User Interfaces" published -------------------------------------------------------------- Norman Feske has published the full text of his dissertation on "Securing Graphical User Interfaces" as PDF. The document describes the results of more than 5 years of research on quality of service, seamless window-system integration, and security on the GUI level. The described techniques form the basis of Genode Labs's ongoing development of both the Genode FGPA Graphics project and the Genode OS Framework. You can download the document at the publications section of the genode.org website or via the following direct link: http://www.genode-labs.com/publications/secure-gui-2009.pdf About the newsletter -------------------- If you have friends or colleagues who might be interested in our projects, we would appreciate you to forward this email. If you received this newsletter as a forwarded email, you may subscribe to the newsletter here: http://genode-labs.com/newsletter In the case of receiving this newsletter unintended, you can cancel your subscription at any time by replying to this email with the subject set to "unsubscribe". Best regards -- Norman Feske Genode Labs http://www.genode-labs.com ยท http://genode.org
