How about another update on the highest voted ideas.
IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz
Jun 19
It seems many of the highest voted Ideas are the most neglected by Dell
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office (currently with 138079 points) has been one of the top-5-highest-voted Ideas on IdeaStorm since Feb 07. It has no "Status" regarding whether it's in progress, or rejected; and the only comments from Dell were just one employee's personal opinion.
No OS Preloaded (with 85050 points), has also been one of the top-5-highest for over a year. It's status is the same partial implementation (available on a couple models) that has been true from Dell since long before IdeaStorm was around (2004, if I recall). Clearly the Idea is popular because people want to see it on more models. Rather than just labeling the Idea as "partially implemented as always" - could you give some update on the progress on this Idea.
Firefox instead of IE (with 115593 points) has also been a top-5 idea for over a year. With the recent release of FireFox 3 - along with great press from the technology and business industry alike, another update on this idea would be very welcome. The recent Forbes article Why Firefox Matters clearly sees Firefox as the industry leader, and Wall Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal explicitly states that Firefox 3.0 Is the Best Browser for Web. Surely Dell would want to offer the best for their customers, no?
1520
Merged ideas should redirect to the ideas into which they were merged!
IdeaStorm submitted by winoffice
Mar 23
Currently if I post an idea and it gets merged, I usually have no idea what idea it got merged into. What if someone follows a link to an idea of mine, only to see "Article not found" because it was merged? People should be able to know whether the idea was just deleted or merged instead, and if so into what idea. Also I might want to check if my idea was really a duplicate of the idea into which it got merged, or if not, which might mean that I might repost it.
At the very least revise the "Article not found" for such ideas to "Article was a duplicate of (such and such idea; do not forget to provide the link) and thus was merged into it."
590
Separate Hardware and Software Warranties
Service and Support submitted by lugo02
Feb 16
Dell, there are many people who would like a long hardware warranty without also having to pay for your software support warrantly.
You can continue offering the bundled warranty, but I believe many technical users would simple prefer paying for the hardware warranty only.
220
Implement a voting system scaled from -10 to 10 points...
IdeaStorm submitted by markvs624
Feb 29
admins, please implement a points system that more accurately reflects the user's approval or disapproval of an idea. no more promote/demote 50/50! start with -10 for complete disgust over an idea, and end with 10 points for absolute reverence! then you'll get a true reflection of the ideastorm community's real feeling toward each idea.
160
Linux Printing Solutions
Linux, Printers and Ink, Service and Support submitted by jfelisky
02/21/07
I have a Dell 3100cn laser printer, which was a nice purchase until I dropped Windows XP and moved to OpenSuSE on my home computer.
I've tried a lot of different message boards looking for a way to keep that printer, but I'm so frustrated with Dell's lack of Linux support that I have to consider HP, since the LaserJet family is more broadly supported.
6300
Goal: Dell FREEDOM Box - A Fully Open System for Home Users by 2010
Dell, Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dpic
11/29/07
Set a goal of having at least one fully open system for home users by the end of 2010! This would be Dell's greatest endeavor yet!
The Dell FREEDOM Box | From the software, all the way down to the hardware, a completely open system
Software:
* A fully open source operating system with no restricted software like Gobuntu.
Hardware:
* All hardware must follow these rules--
1. The interface to the hardware must be explicitly made public, so the hardware can be used freely.
2. The design of the hardware must be made public, so that others can implement it and learn from it.
3. The tools used to create the design should be free, so that others can develop and improve the design.
This movement is already making headway and progress will continue to increase. Dell is already getting involved--
It has been stated that Dell has a goal to have open Linux drivers for all Dell products. Dell, keep the pressure on your vendors to open up!
Support OpenBIOS and Open Firmware!
"Among its features, Open Firmware provides an instruction set independent device interface. This can be used to boot the operating system from expansion cards without native initialization code.
It is Open Firmware's goal to work on all common platforms, like x86, AMD64, PowerPC, ARM and Mips. With its flexible and modular design, Open Firmware targets servers, workstations and embedded systems, where a sane and unified firmware is a crucial design goal and reduces porting efforts noticeably."
- http://www.openbios.org/
Already, there is huge support for replacing proprietary BIOS
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62549/LinuxBIOS_instead_of_proprietary_...
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/74358/Dell_Support_Open_BIOSes_for_Linux
And there is the Open Graphics Project
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72320/Help_The_Open_Graphics_Project<
This project would put Dell at the heart of the movement bringing Freedom, Reliability, and Innovation to the world of technology! Does one really need to ask why this would be better than proprietary technology?
1810
Promoted and Demoted Votes in separate tallies
IdeaStorm submitted by arclight
03/24/07
The combined counter makes it hard to tell the total number of votes and demotes. Having a separate blue and red numbers for demote and promote would make it possible to tell at a glance. Perhaps the combined number could be listed with them too, but right now the only way to see if a idea has a lot of votes and demotes is to look at bottom of page.
350
Provide option of HDD which can be replaced with SSD in near future..
Servers and Storage submitted by vikramchauhan10
Feb 12
The time has come when DELL should provide option of HDD which can be replaced with SSD in near future. This is because in near future price of flash based SSD will drop, and then customer would like to replace the HDD with SSD, and carry HDD as a backup memory in separate case. This will also add to battery time due to low power consumption of SSD, along with faster response. hope DELL will start thinking and working on this idea.
280
TheOpenCD.org should be an option for any Dell OS, regardless if Windows or Ubuntu
Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jorge
05/26/07
Dell should offer the TheOpenCD.org CD as an option for customers to select when configuring their purchase. Again, irrelevant of Windows or Ubuntu. TheOpenCD offers the following Software Suites for Free and without the usual Bloatware that irritates customers:
Design - Blender, GNU Image Manipulation Program, Inkscape, NVU, Scribus, Tux Paint.
Games - Battle for Wesnoth, Enigma, Neverball, Sokoban YASC.
Internet - Azureus, FileZilla, Firefox, Gaim, HTTrack, RSSOwl, Thunderbird, TightVNC, WinSCP.
Multimedia - Audacity, Celestia, Really Slick Screensavers, Stellarium.
Productivity - MoinMoin, OpenOffice.org, PDFCreator, Notepad2.
Utilities - 7-zip, Abakt, Clamwin, GTK+, HealthMonitor, Workrave.
Due to an unpredictable change I alter my idea to !
TheOpenDisc.com CD should be given out if TheOpenCD.org is not complete enough for you! Its pretty much the same thing, opensource software for the price of Free yet many more apps! So a win win for all! Yeay!
TheOpenDisc
2400
Add GPS to Notebooks
Laptops submitted by andrewmilnermobile
02/28/07
Start integrating GPS into all Dell Notebooks. This would be a big incentive to buy a Dell because people wouldn't have to buy external GPS devices. This could be an option that is bundled with Microsoft Streets and Trips, or some other GPS software.
Also, you could try addidng support for GPS into anti-theft software to literally track down a theif. Have the laptop report its location whenever it has a connection to the internet after it has been reported stolen.
1450
This text on your web site regarding "open source" is misleading, please consider changing it.
submitted by cosh
11/25/07
From www.dell.com/open:
This is the wrong impression to give, as it suggests that all open source software everywhere is somehow incompatible with Windows, whereas in reality many open source programs are ported to and available on Windows, such as Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, and OpenOffice, and some popular open source programs are dedicated entirely to it, for example Paint.NET (info).
A better and more accurate thing to say would be:
"The main thing to note is that when you choose an open source operating system like Ubuntu Linux®, you don't get a Windows® operating system."
or how about:
"The main thing to note is that when you purchase a Dell computer preinstalled with Ubuntu or FreeDOS, you don't get a Windows operating system" etc. etc.
Concise, clear, and accurate. If I remember correctly there's a similar message on the other language versions of the Dell web site, so it should be changed there too.
If you've a better suggestion post it in the comments.
740
Make Linux and no Operating system standard options on all future products
Operating Systems submitted by jervis961
08/17/07 **REVIEWED**
OK Dell you have committed to supplying Linux options in limited form. Since you have laid the groundwork already here is the next step. Every new product you release that needs an Operating system should have Linux and also no Operating System as an option in the configuration along side Windows. Since you have to write drivers and test compatability for Vista when making a new product just make it compatable with Linux at the same time. There will no longer be a need for a seperate sections for Linux or no Operating system since all of the products will have the option. this will help make your site easier to navigate for you customers. You can also create an ACCURATE help me choose section for the OS choices.
Check out what daniel_j has to say on the options we offer.
21630
Let Us Build A PC Without Microsoft Works or Office!
Software submitted by aikiwolfie
12/22/07
Dell I have absolutely no need for Microsoft Works 8.0. Especially on a PC designed for multimedia entertainment! Please give me the option of having a PC without any office software at all.
Please SIMPLIFY MY IT experience by giving me the opportunity to avoid the uninstall process.
2000
Dell should follow the 'spirit of Ubuntu' for its Ubuntu systems!
Linux submitted by limulus
12/19/07
I was all excited to read that "Today, we're adding Ubuntu 7.10 (a.k.a Gutsy Gibbon) to the Dell Consumer Linux line-up for customers in the United States. It will also be available on the Inspiron 530 in England, France, and Germany later this week." but then it was with a bit of horror that I read:
"Pre-installation of [Adobe's] Flash for a better web experience"
and
"we now include built-in DVD movie playback with all Ubuntu 7.10 systems" using LinDVD
So under the guise of 'customer desire' Dell is going contrary to the 'spirit of Ubuntu' by preinstalling non-libre software. What's worse, as confirmed by a second posting:
"Note that this is a closed-source, proprietary application, and is not included on the Ubuntu 7.10 OS media. [...] ISO images DO NOT CONTAIN LinDVD, as LinDVD is a non-free application that is included in the cost of a system purchased with our Ubuntu 7.10 factory-installation. We'll make information available on how this application can be purchased after the holidays."
Apparently Dell thinks that because they can hide the cost of Windows in a regular Dell system, its OK to hide the cost of a proprietary application in their Ubuntu systems.
NO IT IS NOT!!!
If Dell wants to sell LinDVD as an add-on, that's fine, but one of the major draws of Ubuntu is specifically the LACK of proprietary software and its FREE cost. Do not force users to pay for non-libre, non-gratis software by attempting to bundle it into the cost of the hardware!
Also, regarding Adobe's Flash, while most Ubuntu users will likely want it, its again contrary to the 'spirit of Ubuntu' to force users to have it by default. Quoting Mark Shuttleworth:
“I hear you when you say “users want proprietary codecs”. That’s why we make sure these items ARE available, at the user’s option, as packages on the network repositories. That allows users who need that functionality, or who choose that functionality over free alternatives, to exercise that choice freely. We don’t make that choice for them, though of course there is huge demand from real users for that. And we will stay firm in that regard. Ubuntu does not, and will never, include proprietary applications.“
Ubuntu 7.10 will automatically offer Adobe's Flash or the libre Gnash plugin when Firefox encounters a SWF file, so there is NO NEED to bundle it.
So allow me to suggest how Dell can make its Ubuntu systems better:
When a customer orders one, have a software choice like the following, which assumes LinDVD costs $20:
Ubuntu 7.10 [subtract $20]
Ubuntu 7.10 with proprietary codecs (Flash, etc.) [subtract $20]
Ubuntu 7.10 with proprietary codecs (Flash, etc.) and LinDVD player [Included in Price]
Dell could then go all contrary to Ubuntu's philosophy and include things like MP3 support via the gratis but not fully libre fluendo codec but give users a say in the matter.
Alternately, if Dell is going to insist on bundling all sorts of non-libre and non-gratis software and not give the purchasers a choice about it, please stop calling it Ubuntu!
-140
There should be an option of having no trialware on all computers
Software submitted by jervis961
08/23/07 **REVIEWED**
Here is a news article about trialware and how Dell feels that regular customers want it but small business ones do. Do they not look at the ideas here?
"Not interested in all of the trial software that clutters up new PCs? You're not alone: According to Dell's recent research in both focus groups and broader surveys, small-business users overwhelmingly view trialware as an irritant, not a benefit. That research has led Dell to axe the extras from its new Vostro line of small-business desktop PCs and laptops. Eliminating demo applications is a major step for Dell, which has caught flack for the quantity of trialware on its consumer PCs. (One frustrated customer went so far as to develop a "Decrapifier" utility. The company says that consumers who buy PCs for personal use do express interest in preloaded trial software, but that small-business users have different needs. By eliminating the trialware from Vostro machines, Dell says it has cut the system setup time in half. For now, Dell is the only major PC manufacturer to ship small-business systems without preinstalled trialware as a standard practice. (Some competitors, such as HP, allow customers to choose a no-trialware configuration.)"
Dell offers a broad amount of software choice and minimal software shipped. Read jeremy_f's post on the options we give our customers
24470
 track my votes
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