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Linux: no pre-install, but provide official Wiki support, three levels of distro support

20 points posted to IdeaStorm, Service and Support by ahalldell 02/27/07

Instead of picking one Linux distro to support, Dell should officially provide "Linux How-To" Wikis for every model of computer they sell. They should provide three levels of company participation:

Green - activate participation by Dell; Dell engineers provide tips, try to solve user issues, updated Linux drivers, a "How to Install" for that distro.

Yellow - limited Dell participation: help with show-stopper bugs only that prevent someone from installing a particular distro on one machine

Red - no participation by Dell for that model of computer and/or that distro.

It would be a matrix - for example, E1505:

Ubuntu/Debian Suse Fedora Vector Linux

E1505 Green Green Yellow Red

By providing the Wiki, Dell would also open up the field to others to contribute besides themselves. Many such Wikis already exist, but Dell's active (Green) or passive (Yellow) participation would give users a guide to know which hardware they should buy based on Dell's support of the Wiki. Presumably someone wouldn't buy a "Red" machine if Dell is not providing any support for it.

vfun
03/31/07		 That is the most confusing and convoluted thing I've heard since the DHS came up with their color coded alert levels.

I don't want to learn a color-code-scheme to use a Dell. I want Dell to pre-install, get the drivers working, and give me the system that just works out of the box.

I'll be happiest if they just sell it to me in a working state and I'd never want to see a Wiki or support website EVER.
 
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