The Freescale Semiconductor Smart Networks Developer Forum (SNDF) represented a quantum leap for Genesi/bplan in terms of industry exposure and sales. Held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 26-29 April 2004, the Forum was like no other in which we have participated. For three and a half days Genesi presented eight Open Desktop Pegasos II G4 workstations in its Booth running various operating systems. Ten additional machines ran in two separate Internet Cafes for the Forums participants. The operating systems featured in the Booth included, MorphOS, Debian, Suse, and Yellow Dog Linux. In the Internet Cafe Debian was used. What made the Internet Cafe interesting to many of the Forum participants was that one Open Desktop Workstation (ODW) functioned as a File Server and Internet gateway while the other four operated as disk-less thin clients. This provided a simulated office environment that generated questions and interest. Participants used OpenOffice to view Forum presentations offered for download online through the thin clients to USB memory sticks that were provided to all in attendance. The ODW was also also featured by Freescale's Applications Engineering Team in their Booth demonstrating embedded development tools and applications.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Forum was the high concentration of technology experts and hands on laboratory classes and seminars as well as long range strategic planning discussions. For example, Matt Sealey had a chance to attended classes on AltiVec programming, Sven Luther worked with the Freescale Application Engineering Team to bring up and demonstrate in Forum labs a new AltiVec G4 tool kit on the ODW, and Gerald Carda and Thomas Knäbel had the opportunity Freescale hardware development engineers. During the conference, Dr Claudine Simson, the Freescale Chief Technology Officer, took the time to visit the Genesi Booth and see the Open Desktop Workstation.