The TMPDIR podcast
TMPDIR is a podcast about embedded Linux, Yocto/OpenEmbedded, Zephyr, and IoT product engineering. Hosts Cliff Brake and Khem Raj discuss BSPs, OTA updates, Linux kernel and device tree work, firmware and RTOS development, and build systems such as BitBake and Kas. They also cover the editor and command-line tools that embedded engineers use day to day. The show is aimed at developers working on practical embedded and IoT projects.
Episodes
Our Podcast Workflow: Zola, VDO.Ninja, OBS, and Claude Code
How we record and publish this podcast with a self-hosted static site and a virtual studio: Zola and the simplepod theme for RSS, VDO.Ninja for low-latency WebRTC calls, OBS and Audacity for recording, and a Claude Code skill that transcribes with Whisper and publishes in minutes.
Refactoring English: Writing and Self-Publishing with Michael Lynch
Technical writing for developers with Michael Lynch, author of Refactoring English. We cover structuring a book for reader ROI, cutting aggressively, using AI as a teacher instead of a ghostwriter, and a self-publishing toolchain built on Asciidoctor, Nix, and Hugo.
Space Grade Linux, Yocto, and Embedded Linux in Orbit with Tim Bird
Tim Bird of Sony joins us on Space Grade Linux (SGL) — the ELISA-incubated project bringing embedded Linux to spacecraft. We cover the meta-sgl Yocto layer, fault-tolerant file systems, QEMU radiation simulation, fleet OTA updates, and how Linux already dominates on-orbit compute via Starlink.
2025 Review
We reflect on 2025, what is new, trends, tools, etc.
RISC-V and FPGAs with Ted Speers from Microchip
Learn about the FPGA and RISC-V products.
Mastering Embedded Linux Development with Chris Simmonds and Frank Vasquez
Learn from the authors of this useful book.
Clang/LLVM in Yocto
Learn about Clang, its history in Yocto, and what is new.
Matt Madison, the latest with NVIDIA Embedded and other technologies
Learn what is happening in the meta-tegra layer for NVIDIA embedded products.
Avocado OS with Justin Schneck
Learn how Avocado OS is solving Embedded Linux problems
The Yoe Rolling Release
An overview of rolling releases and how we do it in Yoe
Michael Lynch: Effective Writing for Developers
From big-tech to bootstrapping -- how writing has propelled Michael's career
RISC-V and LLVM with Alex Bradbury
Learn about the interesection of these two cutting edge technologies
Simplicity
What is simplicity, why does it matter, and how do we get there?
Product vs. Technology
In this episode, we discuss why and how to differentiate product and technology.
New Tools in 2024
Discussion of new tools we found in 2024
Unintended open source forks
You can easily end up on your own fork of an OSS project.
Open Hardware with Jason Kridner
Learn how the BeagleBoard Foundation does open hardware
Recent experiences building a connected device with Zephyr
Discussion on what is like to build using Zephyr.
Bob Dotterer -- 3D Printing in Manufacturing
Bob joins us to share his experiences in design, manufacturing, and 3D printing.
Matthew Rassi - an overview of Lean
In this episode, we go back to the origins of lean in the manufacturing space and learn how it can apply to development.
Matt Madison, meta-tegra, and what makes a good Yocto BSP
Learn about the OE4T project for Nvidia SOCs
Chris Cole - running LLMs on microcontrollers
A discussion about AI at the edge.
Eystein Stenberg from Mender.io
Discussion about Mender, OTA update, product vs. platform, etc.
Drew Moseley from Toradex
Discussion with Drew about Embedded Linux, technologies, and challenges.
Embedded Open Source Summit Recap
Khem attended EOSS and shares some of his thoughts about the event.
How Yocto Dynamic Layers help you build your platform
Learn what dynamic layers are and when you should use them
Developer Workflow and Productivity
How can you improve your workflow and productivity?
Predictions, Trends, and Opportunities for 2024
We discuss what might be coming in the new year.
Why Open Source for Product Development
In this episode, we discuss why leveraging Open Source adds value to your products.
What is new in the Yoe Distribution
A discussion on some of the new platforms and features in the Yoe Distribution.
Living on Main
The philosophy of using the latest software releases.
Burkhard Stubert - Qt and Yocto
Conversation with Burkhard where he shares his experiences with Qt and Yocto
Why Arch Linux?
In this episode we discuss how Arch Linux can help you as a developer.
Zephyr - First Experiences
Some thoughts on our first few months with Zephyr
The Power of the Demo
How a demo can be used to prove and sell your ideas.
Release early and often
In this episode, we discuss why you should share your work early.
Build Acceleration
In this episode, we discuss how to make your builds go faster.
The Technology Trajectory
In this episode, we discuss considerations in selecting technology.
Why 64-bit?
In this episode, we discuss why you should consider 64-bit for Embedded Linux project.
Databases
In this episode we databases, various types, how they work, etc.
Do you own your platform?
In this episode we describe what a platform is and the importance of owning it.
A day in the life of a Go developer
In this episode we describe the typical experience of a Go developer.
A day in the life of a Yoe developer
In this episode we describe how we develop, test, and use the Yoe Distribution.
Discussion with Andrew Wafaa
In this episode we discuss many aspects of Open Source and learn from Andrew's experience.
Documentation
In this episode we discuss several aspects of documentation.
Tips for Yocto BSPs
In this episode we discuss what makes a good Yocto BSP.
Using Elm for frontend development
In this episode we discuss our experience using the Elm language for web application development.
The Yoe Updater
In this episode, we discuss the Yoe updater and why it exists.
Reflections on developing an Odroid-C2 based product
In this episode, we discuss our experiences using the Yoe Distribution on a real project.
Embedded Linux application development
In this episode, we discuss Embedded Linux application development.
Interview with Thomas Petazzoni
Learn how Thomas Petazzoni got into Embedded Linux and his thoughts on Buildroot, Open Source, running a small company, etc.
More about the Yoe Distribution
Join Khem and Cliff to learn more about Yoe and how it can help you develop Embedded Linux systems easier and faster.
The Yoe Distribution, How did we get here?
In this episode, Cliff and Khem reflect on the path that led them to creating the Yoe distribution.
Interview with Cliff Brake
In this episode, we discuss some of the projects Cliff is working on, tips, etc.
