Advertise Ubuntu a little more loudly
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by zhinker
05/16/07 **NOT NOW**
I may be wrong about this but it doesn't seem to me like Dell's done any sort of advertising at all for the new Ubuntu pc's that it'll be rolling out soon, except for it's initial declaration I haven't heard a word about on any non-linux media (everyone using linux knows about it of course).
Unless Dell is planning on marketing this solely to linux users, it might want to let the rest of the world know that it's going to be selling Ubuntu soon (a simple photo and note on their website would be enough to make a bunch of pc buyers at least interested, and the ad wouldn't even cost anything). The problem with going after only current linux users is that you're substantially lowering your market base (which of course, is already pretty low--I realize this is just an experiment) to people who might already have pc's their perfectly happy with for the next couple of years, and I'm also worried that this perceived lack of interest might give Dell, and hence other pc manufacturers, the idea that selling linux computers is still a failing enterprise.
That's my 2 cents
5100
Allow customers to come to Dell.com and Order just "Plant a Tree"
Dell Web Site, Environment, New Product Ideas submitted by clocks
06/27/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**
Allow users to work with dell to imrpove Dell's "green" image. Make an "Accessories" product to allow people to just order "plant a tree" or to order as many "Plant a tree"s as they want. This option was not presented when I bought a desktop just a few days ago and I personally would go back right now and order "Plant a tree" because I would like to.
I think that if nothing else, the few minutes it would take Dell to setup this option would give you guys something to point to, even if it wasnt an option that a lot of people had taken advantage of.
if you wanted to take the concept a step forward, build a few add banners/buttons etc to make freely availible with the code to insert one on your web page. The button would be something along the lines of "Join Dell in planting trees". Your logo is associated with an environmental practice, blue logo on green with various tree abstracts in the image, etc. Reputation boost, plus you have genuinely provided a capability to your user base and various concerns on the internet to actively take part in helping Dell be green.
Sure, maybe you are using a few hours of the time of your salaried workers who you already pay for to add the item to the site and create some logos but if you really care about improving your reputation in this area, it might be an investment well worth it.
700
Thanks for the honesty: "Dell warns of Vista upgrade challenges"
Advertising and Marketing, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Software submitted by jmxz
07/05/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**
Interesting article here:
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39287855,00.htm Dell warns of Vista upgrade challenges Published: 04 Jul 2007 18:02 BST
Dell has taken the unusual step — for a PC vendor of its size — of toning down its sales pitch for Microsoft's Vista operating system and warning businesses of the migration challenges that lie ahead for them.
...
Application migration is a key area, Fitzgerald said, echoing comments from Gartner on the size of the issue and the need for considerable testing. "You have to allow time for testing," he said. "Vista is big and complex and there is a lot to it. It requires a lot of testing. You can't just shut off XP on Friday and start Vista on Monday morning. There will be training. There are things to learn." And as the media's reporting, this is especially nice since it's not necessarily in Dell's short-term best interest to do so: http://vista.blorge.com/2007/07/05/dell-warns-businesses-of-windows-vista-woes/ Many people would think it would be advantageous for Dell to simply promote Vista as much as it can but it is taking a step back and telling businesses to consider “holding off”...
The move is unusual because Dell makes money from both selling Microsoft’s products and from selling the additional and more expensive hardware that is required to run Vista. Nice that Dell sees that long term the trust of their customers matters more than the short term extra sales of a few memory chips. This is re-assuring to hear you saying it publicly and helps people trust you more. Idea: Keep being honest. It's refreshing.
690
Backlit Keyboards
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rarmasu
02/21/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I find myself many, many times in dark or poorly lit environments having to guess the various keys - would be fantastic to have a backlit keyboard - with backlit individual keys as the best option.
I would actually pay extra for that convenience if the option was available.
This could be done for desktops or notebooks.
Check out the white LED backlights on the <ahref>XPS M1730.
22330
ubuntu on my computer: open source for education
Education, Linux submitted by raymako
03/23/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
I am a french teacher working in the south of France .The school's computers are Dell and Nec computers.
Like most of my colleagues, I am using "opensource" (free) softwares, and specially Ubuntu for 2 years.
It works perfectly and the pupils who tried Ubuntu like it very much. I hope it will be possible to buy a Dell computer without Windows very soon and I hope that all the Dell computers of my school will use Ubuntu.
Not only because Ubuntu is free (even if it's not insignificant in a french school...) , but because working with Ubuntu forces you to understand and to think how and why you are using your (Dell) computer.
I know that I'm speaking and writing english language like a spanish cow, so I'm sorry.
I just want to finish my message with this: please be the first big computer manufacturer offering Ubuntu or Windows (which is very performant, but not the only one and specially at school) .
7070
Ubuntu PCs need more video card options
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by nkmhutirv
06/13/07
Dell desktops and notebooks preloaded with Ubuntu should have more video cards to choose from!
I do not know how Nvidia 7300LE compares to other video cards, but I do not belive TurboCache is suitable even for the most casual gaming.TurboCache's memory sharing technology is just not suitable. Yes, I do play 3d accelerated games from time to time on Ubuntu! You could offer some Nvidia 7600, 7800 or some other medium range video card. Nothing fancy, just something to allow some 3d effects.
Even Dell PCs preloaded with FreeDos have 2 video cards to choose from:
128MB ATI Radeon X1300 [Included in Price]
256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro [add $50 or $2/month1]
With Ubuntu PCs you have to choose between a range of just one video card:
correction: you have 2 options:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 [Included in Price]
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache [add $50 or $2/month1]
But what's the difference between them? I want to play games 1-2 years old. I do not belive this will be posible with this kind of cards.
You could say Dell does not address gamers, but Dell's Windows based PCs have a lot more advanced video cards: "Stunning 3D graphics performance with the latest single and dual graphics cards in the market available". Unfortunately such advanced graphics is available only to Vista users, not even XP buyers!
Have you seen the noise (fuzz, amazement) 3d effects in Ubuntu have generated? You see, Ubuntu users appreciate 3d acceleration in Linux. Don't restrict them to just integrated graphics and TurboCache!
2700
Make your legal team restrain themselves when they're trying to silence bloggers who are trying to help people buy from Dell.
Dell, Dell Community submitted by jmxz
06/15/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Yesterday Dell sent the following letter to a blog that was giving advice on how to better order from the confusing Dell web site (like clarifying pros and cons of when you should go to the Small Business vs Home Office sections; and when you might do even better going to a Dell Kiosk- which Dell's own web site never makes clear). Rather than a take down notice from Legal, a polite email from Marketing with corrections to the inaccurate parts and specific requests to remove the confidential information would have been:
Better for the Blogger - because he wouldn't feel threatened.
Better for Dell - because the article never would have been so widely publicized (I learned of it only because of the takedown notice).
Better for Dell Customers - because the rest of the non-confidential information in the article could still help them.
- - - - - - - - - -
from Tracy Holland
to ben@consumerist.com
date Jun 14, 2007 4:39 PM
subject Posting by former Dell employee
Dear Ben,
Please remove the posting located at the following
http://consumerist.com/consumer/insiders/22-confessions-of-a-former-dell-sale...< contains information that is confidential and proprietary to Dell.
While not all aspects of the entry are accurate, ostensibly an ex-employee posted Dell's confidential information in violation of his or her employment agreement and confidentiality obligations (which prohibit the disclosure of such information both during and after the period of employment).
We would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Please confirm that the posting has been removed by the end of the day tomorrow.
Thank you, and please give me a call if you would like to discuss further.
Tracy Holland
Tracy J. Holland
Counsel
Dell Inc.
- - - - - - - - - -
While some of the information wasn't correct; the blogger has been continually updating the article fixing inaccuracies as they're pointed out to him. Your legal team also referred to "confidential information" but never specified what was the offending confidential information that should be removed. It's a bit hard to guess what parts of that posting might have been considered confidential; because it seems like just about all the info in the article can be found (just with difficulty) browsing the Dell web site and Kiosks.
Ideas for your legal team:
* For the case of this article - point out the "confidential" information (if there really is any) and I'm confident the blogger will remove that confidential information while keeping the rest of the helpful advice (which helps your customers buy Dells) up there.
* In general - try to restrain yourselves from legal threats on Bloggers. It would probably have been nicer if someone from Dell Marketing asked the person to correct things; and the whole thing would have probably gone away quietly -- instead of being very visible on many high profile places on the internet and on mailing lists now.
We hold ourselves at Dell and all our employees to high ethical standards and believe ex-employees have an obligation to uphold those standards. We live and learn in this new world of blogs and appreciate your suggestion.
3810
6 major issues to be fixed by Dell
Dell, Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by jervis961
02/17/07
Dell became a top company by providing choice and customer service to a customer that wasn't available at the time but has since fallen behind the pack in these areas. Needing a translator when calling customer support is unnacceptable and other companies are rapidly passing Dell in technology advancements. While this site is a good start, many things need to be changed for Dell to become the market leader again.
1. Customer support needs to be in well spoken English and with employees who are allowed to do more than just read from a script. If they are speaking with a computer savvy customer the rep should be allowed to deviate from the script as long as they don't go outside the relm of normal policy.
2. Better options: Other companies offer high end components in small computers but Dell only supplies intel video processors in its 14" laptop. Dell needs to allow customers to get the size computer they need but with options from low cost through the high end so they can get a computer that is "Purely you".
3. Less forced options: I hate that I am paying for and XPS with internet security when I don't need it because I already have a subsciption that will transfer over or AOL is installed when I know I don't need it. They need to add an option of none of the above to all the added software sections.
4. Better pricing: Why is it over $200 to upgrade from 1 GB of 533 MHZ ram to 2 GB of 677 MHZ RAM? I can go to Crucial.com and get the 2GB 677MHZ kit for under $200. Upgrading with Dell after you own is even worse at over $300 this is crazy.
5. Custom Dell website: Customers want to feel special why not make a MYDELL website that when you log in you get a site designed the way you want it. If you aren't interested in the small business site it gets removed, you don't like to go thru the accessories sections when customizing a system so you don't see that section. Click on customer support and a list of your computer pops up asking which one you need help with and only shows the options for that system.
6. Customer loyalty rewards: I have bought 6 Dell systems over the last few years, why can't I get better customer service or pricing due to my loyalty to the company?
6895
Switch to New Lithium-Sulfur batteries: Carries a longer charge, double the lifetime, Environmentally friendly, no toxic heavy metals, cheaper to produce, lighter weight
Environment, Laptop Power submitted by reg
06/10/07
Recharge Lithium-Sulfur over and over again. Sulfur is cheaper than heavy metals, and friendly to the environment. No toxic metals, and also better performing in colder temperatures. Lithium-Sulfur batteries also weigh less than Lithium Ion batteries.
More Power, Lower Costs, Safer for the environment, Easier to carry:
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.
We Need A New Source of Power! MORE POWER!
3720
No Extra Software Option
Software submitted by ootleman
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.
Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.
120054
Visible Link to IdeaStorm on main Dell site
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, IdeaStorm submitted by ipaw
07/01/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
IdeaStorm should have a visible link and explanation on the main Dell site as well as a Desktop shortcut on all new installations.
I've been a Dell customer since my XPS-500 back in the mid 90's and I only just found out about IdeaStorm through a PodCast.
If people know they can have a voice and make a difference, they'll use it.
Thanks
This idea has been partially implemented, as our new home page now has a prominent link to "Dell Community" - within that page are links to IdeaStorm and our other community properties, including Dell Community Forums, Direct2Dell, StudioDell, etc. Thanks for the idea!!!
9230
Laptop Fans
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by davew
02/18/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Heat rises! Get the exhaust ports off the bottom of the laptops where it just blows back up into the machine. Put them out the side or the top and everything including processors, drives, batteries and the cooling systems themselves will run cooler and more efficiently. I already burned out one mother board, which thankfully was replaced under extended warrantee. I am so protective now that I never use my laptop without a supplemental cooling pad underneath, which blows the air out the sides. Unless this changes I would think twice about buying another or recommending a Dell laptop to anyone else without advising them of the problem.
5277
Always include all software and driver reinstallation discs for free (or at least let us get the option to)... don't make us pay extra
Software submitted by winoffice
05/01/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Always include ALL software AND driver reinstallation discs for FREE (or at let us get the option do get the for free if we want as follows)...don't make us pay extra in case that we have a disaster and need to reinstall from scratch...!
No Discs Included (Included In Price)
All Discs Included (this means everything -- all software discs -- OS/Security software/etc., and all driver discs -- this means Windows or Linux drivers or both, whatever applies -- add $0)
Other options (OS disc only, all software discs only, driver discs only, etc. -- add $0)
For some computers, Dell does not include the reinstallation discs. Even if Dell offers them, Dell charges extra for us to get them. In fact, the only time I seen reinstallation discs being offered without charge were for Dell XPS desktops with the flashy lights -- that is, the Dell XPS 600, 700, and 710 systems, for those ware the only systems to offer operating system options like "Microsoft Windows XP Media Center WITH REINSTALLATION CD".
Also, most of the time when software reinstallation discs are not included, driver reinstallation discs (such as XPS flashy lights, as well as printers and monitors) are not included either. Therefore, don't just include the software reinstallation discs -- include as well the Windows/Linux drivers for the hardware (depending on the OS purchased with the computer, if any, which in turn depends on the user's preferences).
Besides, Microsoft as well as ALL software companies include the discs when you get the software seperately, so why can't Dell do the same when the software is preinstalled...?
Customers no longer have to pay extra for re-installation media.
21470
 track my votes
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