digitalb0y

bundle preconfigured hardware peripheral's

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by cooltunes 05/06/07

When I buy a linux computer from dell I would like the option to include or later buy hardware peripheral's that would come preconfigured or certified compatible with my dell linux system. I and I 'm sure many other users would be interested in things like wireless for the desktop, mp3 players, printers, scanners, bluetooth, tv tuner cards, and just about anything else that I can plug into my computer. If dell does not want to sell these items on their website then a hardware compatibility list with dell certified hardware would be great too. 1 Comment »

Commercial software library for Dell's Ubuntu

Linux, Software submitted by sorkkarauta 05/04/07

Establish a software repository for commercial Ubuntu software. It would be a new distribution channel and innovative way to sell software.

In this case all new Ubuntu PC's would have limited access to download commercial software (eg. games, tools, productivity sofware etc.). It would be good way to gain incomes by selling centralized distribution channel for commercial software developers and it is also supportive function for sales.

I am pretty sure that it is very difficult find a place for Ubuntu commercial software in stores. But this problem can be avoided if Dell is able to provide software distribution channel for customers.

Please comment: tuomolle@jippii.fi 3 Comments »

Sell discounted Ubuntu CDs to Dell customers who didn't get the option.

Linux submitted by jmxz 05/01/07

Now for all us unfortunate Dell customers who got Windows when we would have preferred Linux during the years after you stopped selling Linux notebooks (2002?) - how about selling a discounted Ubuntu DVDs.

Yes, I know I could download them or get CDs sent to me from

for $0 ; or buy the disks for a few dollars from one of many online retailers

But I might want it from you for a number of reasons.

• I would expect the version from you to have the appropriate drivers for Dell machines.
• shipit.ubuntu.com "takes up to ten weeks" to send the disks for $0. I trust you could send them faster.
• I might not want to download and burn CDs; perhaps a slow ISP or I might not have a CD burner.
• You already made me give you cash for an OS I didn't want. Perhaps you could use some of these dollars to give me a few dollar discount below what the alternatives cost.

7 Comments »

Wish list for next gen XPS Gaming Portable

Gaming, XPS products submitted by guardianxps 05/02/07

ok so I have an XPS M1710 and love it.

However I noticed other manufacturers have been getting creative with their high end portables.

So here is my wish for whatever will be the next version of the 1710 XPS

1. Add a number pad PLEASE!!!!
2. Allow the customer to choose the type of keyboards on the system: Black, Silver, or Clear.
3. Backlight the keyboard and touchpad.
4. Allow us to choose a skin of a popular game on the system, preferably on the top and around the keyboard. (the WOW M1710 was cool but didnt cover enough of the system)
5. Add a mic to the portable
6. There are plenty of high end AMD processors, I would ask for a really good one that supports X64.
7. Add thumb print technology to the system somewhere like the Lenovo systems. This is great security technology.
8. Change the chassis to the new system, maybe something really cool instead of what you have now.
9. Hopefully there will be DX10 video cards available for the portables?
10. Move away from Silver chassis systems, its very bland. Maybe all black, or midnight blue, or maybe red?
11. Allow surround sound to be used on the portable. I have a Turtle Beach headset with surround sound. I need another device to make it work, how about add the ports which allow connecting to 5.1 speakers or headset.

Well thats all I can think of right now.

Feel free to add anything else which comes to mind. Hopefully this gets a lot of votes. :) 8 Comments »

Stop using Conexant modems

Linux, Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by afv-13 05/04/07

The Conexant drivers for Linux must be purchased from Linuxant which is ridiculous considering we've already paid for the device as bundled in the laptop. They do offer a crippleware version that doesn't support voice and is limited to 14kbs.

I would prefer that a supported modem is used instead of coming to a deal with Linuxant because they shouldn't be rewarded for ripping us off for all these years. 2 Comments »

Option to have software repository shipped with the Ubuntu laptop

Linux, Laptops submitted by steve2 05/02/07

This is for people with limited monthly bandwidth usage:
Have an option, of having a large part of the ubuntu software repository shipped on a dvd with the computer. The dvd should at least contain most free or non free hardware drivers and most importantly absolutely anything that anyone might need to get an internet connection (including the ubuntu wiki articles and maybe a collection of good forum posts about getting internet). Furthermore it should have most codecs, the kde and xfce environment, LaTeX, the kernel sources and other important stuff that is not on the install cd. The rest of it can be filled with other software in order of popularity. 6 Comments »

Stay ahead of Toshiba's Linux notebook/desktop plans.

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jmxz 05/02/07

Looks like Toshiba's also pre-announcing Linux

http://www.electronista.com/articles/07/05/02/toshiba.considers.linux/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS9644921792.html< be interesting to see how this plays out. Ideas for Dell to stay in the lead:

• Have Linux across your entire product line like you did in the past. Personally, I want a Latitude D620 with Ubuntu.
• Support Linux better than Toshiba.
• As Michael Dell suggested (http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66001) Dell can work with it's hardware suppliers to ensure working Linux drivers with hardware Dell ships.

Other ideas? 2 Comments »

Add-in NAND bootable drive

New Product Ideas, Sales Strategies submitted by aurora7207 05/03/07

You could offer an add-in card that works with the motherboard to offer a quick boot option for consumers.

The add-in card would be an option installed at factory. Using a NAND memory module to shadow the machine state, then copy it to main memory on powerup.

Boot up from the add-in card should be short, on the order of 3-5 seconds.

Pricing could be as high as 200 dollars. Comment »

DELL: Offer CrossOver Office 6.1 as a for-pay option with Ubuntu

Linux, Sales Strategies, Software submitted by phubert 05/04/07

Ubuntu Founder: No Emulation Software for Dell Systems

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2125848,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000616< I WILL agree that vanilla Wine should NOT be included with the Dell-offered Ubuntu, I believe Dell NEEDS to do the following:

1) Offer CrossOver Office 6.1 as a for-pay option
2) list Windows software titles ALSO as options where said titles have been certified BY CrossOver Office for 6.1

This will open the door wider for those of us who still have Windows software to run while preferring to move TO Linux.

My bottom-line point:

DELL: Give us all the tools to HELP us SELL YOUR offer to OTHERS!

IF Dell is SERIOUS about offering Linux, they must consider meeting ALL the needs of customers desiring to purchase systems with Linux pre-loaded 44 Comments »

Super Linux Laptop with 20 inch LCD

Linux, Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by lonniebiz 05/07/07

Don't assume linux users want low end hardware. I have money in hand for a Linux Laptop with a 20 inch LCD two 200 gig hard drives and 4 gigs of Ram, a TV turner that works on Ubuntu etc.

Make it and we'll buy it! Comment »

Stay away from SUSE Linux (Novell/Microsoft)

Linux submitted by sirro 05/08/07

Please don't make us have to pay dollars to Microsoft to use Linux on our servers! That is just so wrong. 5 Comments »

Don't limit Ubuntu sales (like the media's reporting you are doing)

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz 05/08/07

From: http://techiqmag.com/2007/05/08/dell-limits-ubuntu-linux-sales/

If you’re planning to load up on Dell’s new Ubuntu Linux systems for a corporate department or small business, Dell may have a surprise for you. As the old saying goes, read the fine print.

Yeah, I know the article mentions you have similar limitations on Windows Home machines -- but don't limit the Ubuntu sales for small-businesses. It's not clear from the article if you intend to do that or not. 8 Comments »

Offer Ubuntu PC's by Dell to Wal-Mart.com and other Retailers

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by josmar52789 05/01/07

Don't make it hard to get the Ubuntu PCs. Offer them in retailers like Wal-Mart, CompUSA, OfficeMax, whatever, even if they're just sold on their respective websites.

It's time Dell took a stand. Anyone could pre-install Ubuntu, but be bold and offer it to the mainstream consumer. 2 Comments »

Create a Separate Linux Area on the Front Page

Linux, Software submitted by rockettech 05/06/07

Create a separate category on the front page for Linux: Home/Home Office, Small/Medium Business, Education, Enterprise, Linux. One of the potential pitfalls I see for Dell offering Linux machines would be the uninformed user selecting a Linux machine. Picture this- It's Tax time, Joe Customer goes to Staples and purchases TurboTax and attempts to install it on his new Linux Dell. Nothing but problems ensue, so who does he blame? Himself?? Heck no. The backlash will be on Dell, Linux, and TurboTax. Emulators are not the answer in all cases.
I think Linux needs to be differentiated some way on the Dell site, to allow easy access to those who want it, and to obscure it from those that may be harmed by it. 9 Comments »

Dell Could Become the OpenGL Hero to the Open Source Community

Linux submitted by hmwamboldt 05/01/07

For a very long time, OpenGL support in the Open Source community has been spotty at best.

If Dell would take on the role of comprehensive testing, and repackaging (for updates) Nvidia or ATI drivers for several supported hardward (and software) configurations, that would make Dell a hero, at least to me. I've spent an inordinate amount of time installing, updating, patching, downgrading, and repairing damage done to systems by installing OpenGL drivers and OpenGL related system crashes over the last few years. It should be noted, (in defence of ATI and Nvidia) that many, if not most, of these problems stem from interactions with various chipsets, bridges, and bugs in various Xorg components. Hence my emphasis on testing.

Furthermore, if Dell could encourage Nvidia and ATI to release the specs for their oldest propriatary hardware (it's gotta be at least 4 or 5 years old now), that would probably provide a global benefit. But, if nothing else, comprehensive testing of new drivers and providing "Dell certified" update packages for Linux, would probably make Dell a prefered vendor for many, many midtier OpenGL users like myself.

-H- 5 Comments »

End the Novell/Microsoft Deal

Dell, Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by plasticboy 05/07/07

Dell should end its deal with Novell and Microsoft to distribute SUSE Linux and provide patent protection to end-users:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-06MSDellNovellPR.mspx

This deal violates the spirit of the open source license under which Linux is distributed and is a slap in the face for every free software contributor.

Entering into this deal will put Dell in a tight place when open source projects that are key to Linux, such as the Samba project, begin to use the next version of the GNU General Public License which will specifically prohibit such deals:
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS7188736246.html

If Dell is serious about Linux, then it must be serious about the freedoms that Linux affords to its users. The Novell deal endangers these freedoms by acknowledging the intellectual property claims that Microsoft has made over Linux:
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;839593139;fp;16;fpid;1 27 Comments »

Build a Linux Info Page on Dell.com

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by josmar52789 05/04/07

This would be a great resource for people who are unfamiliar with Linux and would help existing users to learn more about Linux.

By the way, use ubuntuguide.org as a model... 10 Comments »

New choice on front of DELL.COM

Dell Web Site submitted by kevintrooper 04/30/07

They should have one of those icons similar to the notebooks and PC! but,... I'ts both combined in one image and says (when clicked on it): if you want a PC or Notebook then u choose a operating system!

And vista buisness! (sorry couldn't find good image)

If you think there should be another choice Post it in the comments! 8 Comments »

Send Best Ubuntu Laptop (and Desktop?) to PC Magazine!

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by maccam94 05/01/07

PC Magazine is one of the most widely read computing magazines, and by sending your top Linux configurations to them for review, you will get the word out about your exciting new offerings, as well as generate awareness about Linux itself. 5 Comments »

Dell Outlet Should Offer OS Choice of Linux

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by durango95 05/01/07

Budget minded consumers love the Dell Outlet because we can save hundreds on the latest equipment... and I am batting 100% on the quality of the systems being shipped from the Outlet.

HOWEVER... One thing that irks me is that I am forced to take WINDOWS VISTA when buying these outlet machines. The first thing I do after receiving them is format them and install Fedora Core 6. I have bought twelve XPS 410s in the past calendar quarter and have formatted them all clean and installed FC6.

It's just plain unfair to pay the Microsoft Tax and agree to their unreasonable EULAs if we do not have to. I am all for giving B. Gates and company money for any of their products that actually give business value (i.e. usually this means Excel or possibly Visio in this day and age as business-line people require perfect Office-compatible functionality -- OOo is great for developers and more casual users but not necessary for front line heavily analysis people). I'd rather the software money go to VMWare or Red Hat or some company actually delivering uncommon value nowadays.

Since Dell will not be able to compete with Apple on HW/SW combination OS choice is king at this point. It behooves Dell to ally with Linux now more than ever to face the Apple threat. 2 Comments »