In early December OSDL hosted the Linux Desktop Architects meeting in Beaverton, Oregon. More than 40 different projects were represented, including Freedesktop.org, GNOME, KDE, Mozilla and Ubuntu. The group focused on the technical and ecosystem issues most critical to the evolution of Linux on the desktop.

The "Portland" project emerged and is working toward a desktop integration interface. The objective of "Portland" is to make it less complicated for ISVs to run their applications on multiple Linux desktop environments, according to the OSDL.

Major issues being addressed include:
- Collaboration within the Linux desktop community on specifications
- Providing ISVs & Developer resources
- Coordinating focus on drivers
- Strengthening the ties between the desktop and kernel development communities

The OSDL also recently reviewed the results of a Desktop Linux survey that drew 3,300 responses. The report found that the top reasons for deploying Linux on the desktop were:

• Employees requesting Linux (user demand)
• My competitors have successfully deployed Linux
• TCO
• Reduce license costs
• Security
• Source code availability (ability to customize)
• Corporate direction
• Unhappy with existing desktop operating system