Pre-installed Linux must play commercial DVDs
Education, Linux submitted by jonmca
05/03/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
You probably know this, but a "show stopper" requirement for most consumers and many educators and business road warriers is having laptops and desktops that can play commmercial DVDs. I have a hunch that preinstalled Linux on Dell machines will be a terrific success if Dell Linux desktops and laptops have this capability. I've been told that http://www.videolan.org/ has one possible approach.
Having Linux playing commercial DVDs may also catapult Dell into the complex Digital Rights Management contoversy so it would be wise to get Dell's legal staff involved ASAP and also have this discussed this at the highest strategic management levels at Dell (if this is not already being done).
Check out the Ideas in Action post from Daniel Judd. And you can also check out this follow-up post from John Hull who leads our engineering efforts behind Linux on consumer systems.
4800
Same discounts available on Ubuntu and Windows
Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by jonsmirl
06/12/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I'm ordering a Vista XPS 410 right now. I wanted a Ubuntu one but I'm going to throw away yet another copy of Windows. The Vista XPS 410 has $200 off today and free ship for a total of $869. The identical Ubuntu machine is $1019 plus $29.99 shipping. So today Ubuntu costs $170 more than Windows instead of $50 less. Why can't I have the same discounts on the Ubuntu machine?
15640
IdeaStorm, delete accounts without a unique e-mail or traceroute.
Dell Community, IdeaStorm submitted by jorge
06/23/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
IdeaStorm, a few if not a ton of your members are double dipping accounts to push their agenda at the cost of your perception. Require unique e-mail registration e-mail address's and require e-mail verification prior to letting them login. Also, IP track them like you attempt to do with Google-Analytics and any dupe accounts should be removed and everything associated with it. You have the resources now use them.
Start Jul 2nd.  provided by florida web site design
We now require email verification for new users prior to letting them log-in. We also added a function for existing users to update or change the email address they registered with.
210
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
List implemented ideas under the tab "ideas in action"
IdeaStorm submitted by j.bandringa
07/15/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I would like to have the implemented ideas moved to the tab "ideas in action". I would expect to find them there in the first place. Currently what you find there is news about improvements made because of IdeaStorm. Implemented ideas till now stay in the regular list of ideas. I suggest moving the current content of “ideas in action” to a new tab called “news” and replacing it by the implemented ideas.
Ideas for Dell products and services (not necessarily IdeaStorm site improvements) can be found in our Ideas in Action blog! Check it out.
350
Let Us Choose XP For All Machines!
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by shamarkaleo
07/26/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Dear Dell Service Team,
After unsuccessful appeals to several levels of your support staff, I am writing to convey one last appeal regarding operating systems and purchasing options on your site.
I am the CEO of a small web and graphic design business. We decided to purchase a laptop for our staff use on trips, and after studying all our options, chose Dell as our computer supplier.
We were dismayed to find that most of the computer systems at Dell came pre-installed with Windows Vista, with only a few computers offering a choice of operating systems. Our computer of choice did not offer a selection.
I find this mindboggling, since Dell as a company won't use Vista on its own computers until after SP1 is released. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39286949,00.htm?r=8
And CNET gives Windows vista this dismal review:
"...essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade." http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/windows-vista-ultimate/4505-3672_7-32013603.html
What is more mindboggling to me is Dell's refusal to work with our company when we appealed for a change in our order. We wanted the specific machine we ordered, we simply didn't want Vista.
As it is, the only options we were offered were:
A.) Cancel our order- though we'd already waited weeks for the order to be fulfilled - and order a machine we don't want that offers the XP operating system choice
or
B.) Wait for our machine to arrive, then go buy XP ourselves at additional cost, reformat the hard drive, and install XP on our own.
These choices are horrible! Especially since one of your own staff told me by phone that Dell has received many, many complaints about Vista.
Neither option meets our needs. We either end up with a machine we don't want which has the right operating system, or a machine we do want that we must "fix" prior to use.
So I appeal to you to allow buyers to choose their operating system on ALL your machines, not just some. You don't have to offer a huge choice, but at least one more option than Vista!
Kelli Standish
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about Dell offering XP.
1720
Could Dell Own Green?
Environment submitted by adrian
02/01/07 **REVIEWED**
Environmental concern and sustainability are today real issues with consumers and voters in many of Dell's markets. It looks as if a genuine commitment to reducing carbon and cleaning up their footprint will become a more important factor for companies wanting to strengthen consumer loyalty in the coming years.
Dell has already made its environmental commitment clear.My suggestion is that this could become a hallmark of the company - why not make the products, literally, green? If Apple can own 'pretty' and IBM/Lenovo can own 'serious', why can't Dell own 'green'?
Dell continues to do a lot to support our environment like our Plant a Tree for Me program and other activities documented on our Environment blog on Direct2Dell. Click here for more details.
11870
Downloadable, PDF format, full technical specs for all systems
Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site submitted by benjesuit
06/12/07 **REVIEWED**
Before I buy, I would like to have the options of downloading the full technical specifications of the system. Not just the brief specifications. Place a link under "tech specs" tab that allows you to view or download the full specification PDF file for those of us who care about and understand such things. This way everyone is satisfied.
We are looking to improve the specs pages by making them consistent across all product lines, provide more in-depth specifications and making them available in a printable format.
13650
Integrated Modem/Wireless Device
Desktops, Linux submitted by wallydog
Feb 8
As many people know, it is sometimes rather difficiult to find a device that will allow you to connect to the internet when using Ubuntu Linux or another flavor. While Dell has made it easy to get Ubuntu Linux pre-installed and working, they fail in the internet connectivity part. It would be incredibly easy if Dell could offer a modem/wireless device that can come integrated in the desktop, instead of having to choose A or B and see which works and which doesn't, and then they can provide an installed driver or driver download for the device chosen.
180
http://www.dell.com/open shouldn't steer people towards Windows
Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by limulus
08/02/07
If I want to look at the open source offerings on Dell's site, there's a nice short URL that redirects to the appropriate page: http://www.dell.com/open
However, some of the wording on the page sounds like it was written to DISCOURAGE people from buying those systems and steer them towards Windows; an excerpt:
---
Not sure Open Source is for You?
The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don’t get a Windows® operating system. If you’re here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link.
Shop Dell PCs with Windows
---
To make the page better:
* remove the "Not sure Open Source is for You?" and "Already an Open Source fan?" sections or change them to something like this:
---
New to Open Source?
A very important thing for people familiar with Microsoft Windows® but new to open source to note before buying is that it is an alternative to Windows®, not a cheap version of Windows®. Programs specifically designed to run on Windows® will NOT run by default on Dell's open source systems. If you want to run programs such as "Microsoft Office® 2007", "Adobe Photoshop® CS3", "iTunes® 7.3" and "The Sims® 2" you're in the wrong place! (Dell's Windows® systems may be found here.)
If you already knew that or are ok with it, please continue shopping below...
---
* if its to be kept, move the "You asked, we listened." part down into the Ubuntu description, but get rid of the "advanced users and tech enthusiasts" mention; installing an OS (regardless of the OS) is usually the most difficult step (and one not done by 'average users') but Dell has done all the hard work (most notably by selecting compatible hardware) and after that Ubuntu is really not that hard to use :)
* in the "What Is Open Source?" section, the following sentence needs work: "A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use, and in the case of operating systems, may not be compatible with the same software applications and hardware as Windows operating systems."
What is the reference for "advanced knowledge to use"? Are we talking about the command line? Ubuntu can be used without ever seeing it. Perhaps consider striking that. The real meat of the issue, of course, is that Windows embraces proprietary things and its an uphill battle to try to support them in an open OS. Perhaps use the following:
"A downside is that consumer software applications and hardware choices which are compatible with the proprietary Windows operating system may not work in an open source environment or may require significant tweaking to make them work."
(for software, the tweaking is a reference to Wine... for the hardware, we can hope for support in future Ubuntu versions ;)
2260
Don't make it difficult for people to find Ubuntu machines
Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by xivulon
08/09/07
Ubuntu is now shipped to Europe, but it is hidden away and not that obvious to find. If you did not follow the news, you would probably have missed it completely. What link do people usually follow when buying a laptop at dell.co.uk? They follow the most preminent links:
Notebooks > Home > Home Essential Notebooks
This is where they usually end up to: http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_good?c=uk&...
The inspiron 6400 does come with Ubuntu, but do you see a "Select with ubuntu" button anywhere? I don't think so. If you want a Ubuntu machine you have to get there via a completely different route, by selecting the OS first (on the less visible left column) and then the machine... You can do that for XP too, but with XP you can also select the machine first and then the OS. Why is it not the same with Ubuntu? Moreover, if you click on the laptop image, it will automatically select Vista (thus giving it far more preminence).
So, I am glad Dell started shipping Ubuntu, but to me it looks like they only want to make informed geeks happy, while hiding the option to average joe. If Dell was really serious they should have Ubuntu listed in the customization section of each and every supported machine.
Customize your Operating System:
* Ubuntu Linux [subtract £30]
* Genuine Windows XP [Included in price]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English [Included in Price]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English [add £23.50]
* Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate (32Bit) - English [add £117.50]
There is already a conflict-resolution message, so you could easily signal incompatible OS/hardware choices. The above is what I call "choice", anything else is muddling the water.
3190
Improve Salesperson Knowledge
Sales Strategies submitted by sonjordan
Jan 17
I'm not exactly sure what the role of the salesperson is at Dell. I have called and chatted with them about why I cannot get 1440 x 900 resolution for the Inspiron 1525. They offered it initially but then dropped it for some reason.
All the Dell salespeople can tell me is that they have the 1280 x 800 resolution available. I can see that from the website, but I want to know why a product has been changed, and most have no idea that it was initially offered at the higher resolution even though numerous online reviews state it. Did they run out of panels?
I don't need someone typing something I can read for myself on the website, I need product help. Either train up the sales staff more or create a new department.
290
Dell BIOS and HPET timer support
Software submitted by josehernandez
Jan 22 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
HPET timer will be useful for different purposes:
1) Kernel uses it for timer interrupt and time source (gettimeofday).
Kernel will use one particular timer among available HPET timers
(typically 3).
2) The HPET driver exports the HPET device in /dev which can be used by
other kernel drivers or user programs.
In this particular case, with forcing of HPET, (1) above seems to be
working fine.
But, (2) is printing 0ns. Probably because missing HPET information in
ACPI. You may need to do some more changes in drivers/char/hpet.c in
case BIOS doesn not support HPET.
But, this will not affect normal kernel functioning. This will only
affect is someone wants to use /dev/hpet interface.
source:http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/6/8/267
HPET is enabled and exposed by BIOS on most newer systems.
250
Make a new category for Ideas that used to be Under Review, but now aren't.
IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz
Jan 23
On a different Idea, user badblood wrote 'this idea was 'under review' now it isn't and there is no trace that it ever was.....'.
It's really really great that you're apparently updating the old ideas to make sure that the statuses are correct. We see this because apparently the status "under review" is removed sometimes - presumably when an idea's apparently no longer being reviewed.
But rather than just removing the status when that happens, wouldn't it be better to put it in a new category - called "Reviewed" - when an item leaves the "under review" state, rather than just removing the status altogether.
Otherwise we're left to go to other mirrors of IdeaStorm to see the history of which Ideas were looked into by Dell.
220
 track my votes
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