Welcome to the Loft launching, Giant Shoulder Inc.'s new flagship product offering.  The Loft is the combination of an open embedded hardware server platform with open-source software distributions.  Giant Shoulder Inc. builds open-source software, specifically embedded Linux distributions targeting the following markets:

• Small Office Home Office Information Technology infrastructure (SOHO IT)
  
• Professional developers, enthusiasts, and technologists (Geeks)
  
• Hardware integrators (Value Added Resellers or VARs)

"Production Worthy", "Freedom to tinker", and "Affordable" are phrases that best describe the guiding goals in the creation of the Loft hardware and software. The "Affordable" goal has been achieved for the software as it open and available. The hardware platform provides excellent value for the money.  The "Freedom to tinker" goal has been nearly fully achieved and is a core value of open source software by its definition.  "Production Worthy" is a more elusive goal, however processes are being put in place to improve the state of the software by the time the Loft hardware is ready to ship in volume (hundreds of units) currently October 2005.  Prototype Loft hardware is designed, built and under test.  The embedded Linux software distributions are available as: 1) A new partial Debian Port for the ARM BE platform; 2) A fully customizable Open-Embedded (OE)  based distribution.  Literally thousands of packages are available in both distributions. 

SOHO customers can expect a custom custom-built Debian image that supports a web server, e-mail server, DNS server, and security features. Additional features and security updates will be available over the network to Loft customers.  Geeks and integrators can either use the Debian port or roll their own distribution with OE. 

Please follow the links in the left panel for more information about the Loft hardware an advanced, tiny, high-performance, low-power, secure, low-cost, open, post-PC embedded server platform running open-source software.  Visit the "Hall of Fame" for my salute to some of the open source giants that I have had the pleasure of working with for the past few years.  Finally be sure to visit "Open Platform Discussion" in the "Background" section.