Sun has released the architecture & API specifications of its latest "Niagra" processor to open source under the GPL. By doing this, it is hoping that its processors will gain a wider acceptance by OS' like Linux & BSD. Shrewd move.

"The first two are the chip's architecture specifications and the definitions that dictate how developers should deal with those specs. Finally, Sun is releasing the hypervisor APIs, which will make it easier for companies to port Linux or other operating systems onto the architecture, Splain said."