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400

Pre-install OpenOffice.org 2 on all Dell PCs

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by radzfoto 03/12/07

I have been using OpenOffice.org for almost 2 years. Version 2 is practically 100% compatible with even the most sophisticated and complex MS Office documents. Also, export to PDF is integrated.

How can you go wrong with this? It's free. It's useful. It's easy to use.

Radzfoto 6 Comments »

640

Open standard support

Service and Support, Software submitted by federico2 02/28/07

When a Dell pc comes with preinstalled software, such software (whichever it is) should let the user use ALSO standard open formats.


This includes e.g.:

- OpenDocument (ISO standard)

- OGG Vorbis (de facto standard open format for compressed audio)

- OGG Theora (the same for compressed video)

- SIP and/or H.323 (VoIP)

- SVG (vector graphics)

- XMPP (Jabber) (instant messaging compatible with Google Talk)

- iCalendar (calendar data exchange)

... and so on.

There are many free plugins that enable closed software (i.e. Microsoft Office) to use such standards. 4 Comments »

2260

OS Reinstall CD's

Service and Support submitted by xhotardx 02/24/07

How about auctually including real install cd's for the original OS. So when you have to reimage I dont have to spend 2 hours uninstalling stuff that I dont want. Why can these not be provided for free? If a consumer is paying for a license there is no reason that you cant front the 4 cents and give them a copy of that software (even microsoft is cool with that). 10 Comments »

1957

Support for OGG VORBIS codec

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by yesmathew 02/21/07

Vorbis is an open source, lossy audio codec project headed by the Xiph.Org Foundation and intended to serve as a replacement for MP3. It is most commonly used in conjunction with the Ogg container and is then called Ogg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogg_vorbis 5 Comments »

2004

Preinstalled FOSS

Linux, Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by sceptre0 02/20/07

Although I don't think it would be a good idea to go overboard with preinstalled software, a few free and open source software (FOSS) programs would be nice. Having a large computer company such as Dell behind these products would really give open source the traction it needs to be widely accepted. Also, FOSS does not expire or require activation such as most of the software currently bundled with Dell computers. The currently bundled programs add no value whatsoever to the product and are actually a nuisance to most people. Open source would greatly improve the out of the box user experience. These are the programs I believe would ADD VALUE to Dell computers.

Firefox
- Safer than IE
- Easy to use
- Hundreds of extensions
- Compatible with almost all websites
Openoffice
- Compatible with MS Office files
- FREE! (Hundreds of $ less than MS Office)
- Easy to use interface
- PDF export
Gaim
- Compatible with all major chat networks
- Ad free (no more annoying flashing ads)
- Easy to use

Also, a link to a repository of Dell approved free and open source software (FOSS) for download would allow users a one stop shop for free software. It would make it easier for people to find FOSS which is free, capable, and ad/sypware free.

I would also like to see Linux, primarily Ubuntu, offered as an alternate to Microsoft Windows. This could allow Dell to further lower prices because Linux is free. For the inexperienced computer user Ubuntu Linux is easier to use and virtually immune to infection. Ubuntu is a great easy to use alternative to Mac OS X which is not available for the PC.

Thank you for taking my thoughts into consideration. 1 Comment »

25140

Linux Hardware Compatibility List

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by s3indiana 02/20/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Create a listing of Dell hardware that's compatible with the major Linux distributions (Fedora, OpenSuse, ubuntu, Freespire) providing compatibility with not just systems (desktops and laptops) but include peripherals (printers, camera's, flash drives, compatible routers, etc.). Include levels of compatibility so the reviewer can make an educated choice. This would provide the greatest assistance for those looking at alternatives...

We're working to add something like this to our linux.dell.com wiki. Click here to see what john_h has to say.





30 Comments »

15608

Sell more desktops without monitors, keyboards, etc

Desktops, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by gordonbrown77 02/16/07 **COMING SOON**

Make it an option to not get things people may already have when upgrading a PC such as monitors, mouse, keyboard. This would be good environmentally and save people some money if they already have theae things and will not be keeping the old PC. 34 Comments »

26870

Dont eliminate XP just yet

Operating Systems submitted by javaprog07 02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Ok, well I know I may be chastised for bringing this up, but vista is still a young operating system with its own problems etc... I would like to see both Home and Business computers, especially notebooks have an XP Home and Pro option on top of Vista until it has at least been out for a year. For those seasoned users like me who just feel that you need to let a new OS mature before jumping right in. I am planning on buying a new notebook, and I would like to insure I wont have to format it on arrival just to have XP.
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about Dell offering XP.




209 Comments »

34068

Become the open source OEM

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by ntaylor0909 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I read the same question on Linux forums, all the time: What is the best brand of computer/laptop to purchase for Linux. I know that there is the n series of computers and notebooks, but it could go a step further. Accept the recent offer of free Linux driver development from the Linux Kernel Community so that DELLs "just work" with Linux. Maybe look at some ideas like LinuxBIOS and/or OpenBIOS. Become the OEM that everyone recommends. There is a growing market for Open Source friendly computers and DELL could own that market.


In the past year, we've made a lot of progress on getting Linux to work well on all of our products. Our goal is to become the hardware vendor of choice for Linux users. Click here to learn more from john_h.





45 Comments »

86070

No OS Preloaded

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by agreer 02/17/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.


Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.

459 Comments »

140599

Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/17/07


Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)

OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System

Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
574 Comments »

170

Post real, hard specs of hardware options

Advertising and Marketing submitted by echostatic 03/07/07

The info provided during customization is a joke at the moment - when comparing CPUs under the "Help Me Choose" panel, I'm told the difference in terminology between single-core and dual-core. Overview, reccommendations, and "compare side-by-side" only tell me the same thing - nothing about the actual choices of processors (clockspeeds, FSB speeds, power consumption, etc). Same with video card and sound selections. Please provide more info in-store, rather than making us bring up Newegg or similar to sleuth! 3 Comments »

200

Sell PC's and laptops without Windows!

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by hansv 03/08/07

Why do we need to pay Microsoft for running a free O/S on our laptops?
I want the option of buying a laptop without an O/S and install the O/S of my choice. Virtually all Linux laptop users have paid for a MS Windows license when they bought their machine although they don't use the software. This is not correct and it generates wrong statistics about O/S market penetration. 1 Comment »

2660

ReactOS

Operating Systems submitted by fireball 03/07/07

There have been a number of ideas for offerings computers with some flavour of Linux preinstalled, and that's great. But, there are customers, who would still want to have benefits of Windows (still the majority of software applications are targeted at Win32 API and .NET Framework, not to speak about drivers for various consumer devices).

Would DELL be interested in supporting a project aimed at creating a compatible implementation of Windows (the same architecture, API and ABI), but under a GPL license?

This would sound crazy if it's to be done from scratch, but we already spent quite some time for development and even came up with a few releases (they are more like proof of concept, not usable at the moment for preinstalling on PCs).
If you like to read more - http://www.reactos.org

Thanks. 120 Comments »

50

No addtional software or operating system as a configuration choice on all systems

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Software submitted by limr 03/08/07

When configuring a Dell machine it should be an option to opt out of the installation of any operating system or add-on software. We should not be forced to use Windows, Linux or any other operating system. We should not be forced to pay the additional costs associated with installing Windows or Linux. Adding this option would definitely increase my incentive to purchase a Dell machine as I am sure it would for many others as well. 1 Comment »

80

XPS and Vista

Operating Systems, XPS products submitted by malkir 03/09/07

Today my friend asked me what company I would recommend him buying a computer from, and looking over at my XPS Gen 5, I immediately said 'Dell!'

We looked at the XPS's, and noticed one very disturbing thing - unless he could pay the minimum $1,699 for the XPS 710, he would be locked into Vista. Now, I'm sure Vista is a "revolutionary" operating system, but in all honesty it has absolutely no appeal to us as gamers. Vista may or may not run our games, it may or may not like our OS optimizations and driver tweaks... so why should we buy an operating system that 'might' run games?

Personally, I'm happy to see that Dell is staying on the cutting edge of technology - but why completely dump Windows XP for an operating system that has only been out for a few months? What happened to the casual switch from XP to Vista? It's all too forceful. Comment »

180

Alternative or No Preinstalled OS

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by wetumka_ok 03/09/07

Please, offer the option for no preinstalled os, or Linux, I don't want or like vista, and you offer no alternative. Unless i purchase elsewhere! 2 Comments »



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