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Portland State University has joined the Beaverton-based Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) as one of its affiliate members, providing Linux researchers at PSU a forum to share ideas and resources.

OSDL, a global consortium of leading technology companies dedicated to accelerating the adoption of the Linux operating system, recently announced a lab membership initiative designed to attract affiliates among colleges and universities interested in Linux research and deployment. The goal of the initiative is to provide a forum where commercial Linux vendors and the academic Linux community can come together to share ideas and address common problems. In addition, university researchers can access the OSDL's data center computing facilities in the United States and Japan.

"The Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science is very pleased to be associated with the Open Source Development Lab," said Cynthia A. Brown, chair of the Department of Computer Science. "Our Department of Computer Science is a leader in open desktop development. Our faculty and students built a Linux-powered rocket with one of the world's most advanced amateur avionics systems. PSU also hosts the free desktop.org Linux effort, and our faculty and students are major contributors. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth of open software solutions."

Under the new program, accredited universities and colleges can participate along with OSDL's corporate peers in initiatives such as the Carrier Grade Linux, Data Center Linux and Desktop Linux working groups.

"Higher education is the incubator for tomorrow's technology breakthroughs and this is especially true for Linux," said Stuart Cohen, CEO of OSDL. "We want to encourage broader deployment of Linux among colleges and universities as well as to facilitate research to drive advances in Linux technology."

OSDL is a non-profit organization supported by a global consortium of more than 40 of the world's largest Linux customers and IT industry leaders. OSDL provides Linux expertise and computing facilities in the United States and Japan available to developers around the world. For more information about OSDL visit www.osdl.org.

Located in the heart of Oregon's "Silicon Forest," the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University is uniquely positioned to deliver progressive engineering education. By teaming with regional industry and government, the College's faculty members keep curriculum current, preparing students to make an immediate contribution to the workforce through participation in Capstone design projects, internships and research opportunities. During the 2003-04 academic year, the College had a total undergraduate and graduate enrollment of 1,987 students.

Source:
Cynthia A. Brown (503-725-4036)
Chair, Department of Computer Science