Microsoft Corp. expanded its Windows CE source code sharing effort Friday, giving software developers more access to version 3.0 of the CE operating system, designed to run on small computing devices.
Microsoft opened up parts of the CE code last June, when the company launched its latest version of the compact OS. Users have previously been able to purchase a CD and look at portions of the CE 3.0 code in read-only mode to get a better understanding of how it works and how to write applications for it.
A posting on a Microsoft Web site now shows that the company has broadened this effort by allowing users to download parts of the code and experiment with making changes to the software. The download program is governed by Microsoft's Shared Source License, which allows users to make changes to the code for non-commercial purposes.
Developers can download the software and install it into Microsoft's Platform Builder 3.0 development tool, designed to help software developers speed application development for the CE platform. Windows CE runs in devices such as handheld computers and smaller computing systems that help operate cars.
More information is at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/tools/source/default.asp.