Linux for Real

May 2001

We need to coin a new term: a measure of progress in time that exceeds the pace of Internet Time. Because that's what's happening in the Embedded Space, where developers are picking up Linux faster than slang.

How about Unreal Time? Or Interbed Time? Hmm. Not quite right. How about... Protoreal Time? I like that one. In Greek "proto" means first. It's the root of prototype. It also suggests protean, the adjective for shape-changing derived from the Greek sea god Proteus, who could assume many forms. Protoreal also suggests a condition of constant, widespread and continuous and original change.

In fact, I like the protoreal so much I just bought the domain name. We'll find a way to use it here at the magazine(s), trust me.

There are twenty companies listed under "Embedded" in the Linux World Expo brochure

Doc Searls is Senior Editor of Linux Journal and co-author of The Cluetrain Manifesto.