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I can understand your pain with the embedded systems. It's pretty hard keeping that kind of environment up-to-date when everything is rolling forward so quickly. Frankly I'm amazed at how fast everything is moving. If you look at what has happened in just the past 3 years in the Linux world, you'd see usability has really improved for the non-expert. These days, an install of K/Ubuntu is much easier than Windows, and easier to keep updated as well.

I'm pleased with the improved wireless network and USB support in the 2.6 kernels. Under QNX I had to resort to an Ethernet bridge to 802.11b. No USB or wireless support even at QNX 6.2. I can now track down cheap 802.11b/g USB radios and take advantage of the support in the kernel. My next gen comm boards are still using Ethernet to 802.11b wireless bridges from DPAC. I opted for a CANDIP28 form factor of the Lawicel CAN232 device to reduce the mass of electronics riding on the railcars. Vertical impacts have sheared connectors on prior designs. The new design is an 8 layer board with all components surface mounted and conformal coated. The first board is due to be shipped by Friday of this week.