Aspiring coders and users would delight in the recent release of the Eee PC software development kit, because that would not only mean a sudden influx of third-party applications for the miniature profiled laptop, but even ways of optimizing the mobile platform's many features. But ASUS released the SDK under one completely strict condition: under all circumstances, the source code must be made freely available.

In addition, the original author must grant would be code adopters with the right to use it. This is probably due to the Eee PC's competition with the XO-1 of the OLPC (or One Laptop Per Child) program, which requires that any participants and entries to the program strictly adhere to the open-source guidelines. The Taiwan-based company's own entry, being a qualifier for Intel's "World Ahead" program, is trying to fit within OLPC's rules as well.

The SDK should also be perfect for any version of the Eee PC, regardless of currently installed operating system. We do not have the details on the SDK's actual coverage and tool sets, but the 1.2 GB download hints that it could be jam-packed. Follow the Via link provided below to arrive at ASUS' download page for the Eee PC.