Linux lab to fund open-source developers

The Open Source Development Labs is putting its hand in its pocket for open-source and Linux developers. On Wednesday, it plans to launch the OSDL Fellowship Fund, which will give grants to software writers. Applicants must be involved in community projects that don't have access to financial resources or support, OSDL said. It did not specify which projects qualify. The group is soliciting contributions to get the fund going.

OSDL's board of directors will determine who will get the money and allocate amounts. They will be helped by a technical advisory board, which was set up recently by OSDL to try to build stronger ties with the open-source community. The organization employs Linux founder Linus Torvalds, but was set up by Intel, Hewlett-Packard and other tech heavyweights, and tensions have arisen between the group and some developers.