Freedom of choice for OS and additional software
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by wuki
02/20/07
Just simple:
- allow the customer to decide wether he wants an OS (of which kind ever) bundled with the PC or not.
- allow the customer to decide, if he wants to buy an OS with the PC, wether the OS is preinstalled by Dell or not (in this case just deliver the necessary media with the OS and drivers).
- allow the customer to decide, when he wants a PC with a preinstalled OS, wether he wants additional software installed or not.
Just a comment on additionally installed software:
My experience with a Dell desktop computer having a preinstalled XP was just horrible. I am a software developer and need a clean machine. It took me days to identify and cleanly remove all that additionally installed software crap (sorry for that but it hits the point) I never accounted for. I would prefer not to be punished (by being forced to spend a lot of work time to get my PC usable) for buying a Dell PC.
And what me got really upset: most of the additional software installed was reduced in function (such essentially being useless) and plagued me by shouting "Upgrade me for a modest fee and you get all those missing features". Keep Dell PCs clean from being a vehicle for software marketing campaigns!
Oh, and not to forget: what I bought was a business line PC!
556
Single official topic for each linux distribution and other common issues
IdeaStorm submitted by theblackcat
02/23/07
As many other people have pointed out, things are becoming unmanageable with the duplicate posts promoting the same small group of ideas. It would be unfair to just delete them all, so I have a proposed solution.
Have specific, official topics on each of these issues (in no particular order):
-Preinstalled Linux in general
-A seperate topic for each common Linux distribĪ
tion (one for Redhat, another for Suse, another for Ubuntu, etc.)
-Hardware support for linux
-Mac OS X
-Continued Windows XP support
-No OS whatsoever
-Webcams for laptops
-Do away with proprietary hardware (including video cards, Bluetooth, etc)
-Tablet PC
-Better laptop power supply
-No offshore tech support
-No preinstalled software (just the desired OS)
-Preinstalled Openoffice
-Preinstalled Mozilla products (these can probably be lumped together)
-Preinstalled Gimp (maybe)
-Preinstalled Gaim (maybe)
These will be the official topics for each of these particular issues. They will be "pinned" at the very top of the list so people cannot miss them. No duplicate topics on any of these issues will be allowed. Voting and commenting will still be allowed in all of these topics, although they will have to be monitored for flame wars.
After these are started, add a keyword filter. Any topic containing "linux", "open source", "freeware", "gnu", "mozilla", a distro name, or any other words associated with any of these topics will be put in a queue where they must be approved by an administrator before they are will appear on the site. That way we don't get the flood of duplicate topics that we have now, but legitimate new ideas that may contain one or more of these words will also not be automatically deleted.
Put a notice up that this could happen, and warn people with a prominent, colorful page when their ideas have been flagged. That way they are not confused as to why the ideas are not showing up and start re-submitting them. Monitor the site for people purposefully avoiding the filters and update them routinely to catch tactics people are using to do so. Keep an eye out for issues that are getting a lot of duplicate posts and make official, pinned topics for them as well.
This way everyone is happy. People are able to support their own favorite OS or piece of software, while the board will not be flooded with duplicates. People who ignore these rules will have more trouble getting away with it, and people looking for truly new ideas will be able to find them. This includes bother users and Dell themselves. It is currently becoming extremely difficult to get through all the clones to find interesting new ideas, but it is unfair to deny people the right to have their ideas heard. This allows people to have their say while still keeping things manageable.
Note: this idea may itself be a duplicate. I know for sure that the idea of getting rid of all the duplicates has been posted many times. I am fully aware of the hypocrisy of contributing to the problem I am trying to solve but I felt it still needed to be said.
320
Sue Microsoft and get out of the Windows Monopoly
Dell, Operating Systems submitted by juanjodic
02/20/07
Microsoft is a business designed to extract money by force from customers, it's not a product customers are excited to buy and give money in exchange. Its a Monopoly.
A lot of people just had it with windows, too much hackers and virus, too much marketing included in explorer too much promises of improvements and they keep delivering the same OS with new names and less options unless you pay more for the same options that where included before!
304
My next computer will be Linux or Apple
Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by macsband
02/26/07
I've purchased five Dell computers over the past few years (3 desktops and 2 notebooks). My most recent purchase was an Inspiron E1705 in December. Upon powering up the machine, I immediately reformated the hard drive, thereby getting rid of Windows junk.
My first desktop used Microsoft DOS 3.1. Over the years Microsoft has provided less and less value at more and more expense with greater and greater intrusiveness. Microsoft has turned security updates into a marketing ploy to force less and less competition (which is pretty amazing for such an overwhelming monopoly.)
My next computer will have Linux or Apple OS pre-installed. I'm a loyal Dell customer, but if Dell does not offer Linux, I'll be joining the ever growing crowd switching to Apple.
Mac
420
Official support for Debian on servers
Servers and Storage, Service and Support submitted by maulkin
02/21/07
As recently reported, HP now offer official support for the Debian distribution on their ProLiant server range. I believe it would be a big boost for Dell to offer similar support.
This would generate good will within a notoriously loyal community, leading to a) greater sales for Dell, and b) a happier userbase where the system just works :)
This would also enable Debian based distributions to offer good compliance.
(disclaimer, I'm a Debian Developer, so have a vested interest in this :P)
Edit: as a aside, this comprises/extends various other ideas in this section. I believe that offering support for a specific system would also solve those other options.
Edit2: It looks like it may also make excellent financial sense to support Debian:
"HP is making $25 million by supporting the free Debian GNU/Linux distribution. ... In fiscal 2006, $25 million in hardware sales in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) were directly related to HP's Debian support." http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3661481
550
I am avoiding Dell (until Linux)
Linux submitted by candtalan
02/24/07
I am a long term Dell customer in a SOHO environment. My most recent purchases were Dell - Dimension, Inspiron, Inspiron - but these were long ago. Since then, I now use only Linux (Ubuntu), and am seeking new hardware.
I have avoided Dell totally because:
1) I do not want windows and certainly not Vista
2) Dell do not seem to be Linux friendly, for example linux drivers?
3) My money will go to a company which is Linux friendly , or at *least* will sell with no OS.
490
Ban Vista DRM hardware
Operating Systems submitted by swa
02/24/07
Please ban all Vista certified DRM capable hardware.
The spread of such hardware that cannot have it's specs public nor source code public means that Microsft wins the true opensource battle and all we'll be left with are binary driver blobs for a few non Microsoft OSes.
590
Pre-Installed Linux Servers for Schools
Education, Linux submitted by linuxgirlie
02/21/07
This is a bit biased as I am a co-developer of a Linux based educational server operating (http://www.karoshi.org.uk) but I think it would be great to be able to have Linux Servers pre-installed for educational purposes.
Alot of people who work in schools that I have spoken to have meationed that they would take it alot more seriously if they could buy servers with this system pre-installed.
If schools had more of a choice, that they know is supported, I think they would be prepared to buy one. One choice would be to pre-install Karoshi, but along as the server is easy to use, and can support Windows Clients and do all of the jobs the school needs you could pre-install any version of Linux, more likily Novell Suse or Red Hat.
619
Take advantage of the linux kernel developers offer to develop fully supported linux PC's
Dell, Linux submitted by iphtashufitz
02/24/07
On January 29th the linux kernel developers posted an offer on the Kerneltrap website (http://kerneltrap.org/node/7636) offering free linux driver development to any company who asks. To quote from their announcement:
"You will receive a complete and working Linux driver that is added to the main Linux kernel source tree. The driver will be written by some of the members of the Linux kernel developer community (over 1500 strong and growing). This driver will then be automatically included in all Linux distributions, including the 'enterprise ones. It will be automatically kept up to date and working through all Linux kernel API changes. This driver will work with all of the different CPU types supported by Linux (for the CPUs that support the bus types that your device works on), the largest number of CPU types supported by any operating system ever before in the history of computing."
Dell should embrace this offer to its fullest extent. They should work with the linux kernel developers to build fully supported linux PC's (servers, desktops, and notebooks/laptops). Any hardware vendor that doesn't take advantage of this offer is foolish. With the direct assistance of the kernel developers, Dell could offer a wide range of fully supported linux systems that would work with virtually any linux distro.
600
Linux Wireless, Video Drivers
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux submitted by brokencrystal
02/23/07
Make the drivers for your wireless cards available for those of us who run Linux. I bought a Dell Inspiron 1501, but there are no Linux native drivers for it. I also have the ATI graphics Radeon Xpress 1150, but no Linux drivers available for it. It would be great if Linux drivers were available for all the hardware you make and sell.
500
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.
1760
Ubuntu Linux capable of running Beryl to compete with WIndows Vista
Linux, Operating Systems submitted by master5o1
02/25/07
In all markets competition is the key to keeping prices and quality good for consumers.
I propose to Dell to offer Ubuntu Linux with the ideal hardware to support Beryl (with XGL or AIGLX) for exceptional competition of a Linux based Eye-Candy supporting Vista alternative.
Stand up and speak out! This is the perfect time to curb Microsoft's 'monopoly' on commercial operating systems. Let's try make Linux as easily available to consumers as Windows is!
680
Dell should stop lying about preinstalled Linux
Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by beer28
02/25/07
Linux has been an option for corporate machines for 7 years now. NOTHING HAS changed. Quit lying Dell. The requests were for pre-installed openSuSE, Ubuntu and Fedora Core on Inspirons and other retail grade machines, not bulk purchased corporate class computers. We are not idiots and we can read through the lies.
I will never purchase from Dell again. If not for anything else, because they insult their own customers' intelligence.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/ideastorm/ideasinaction?c=us&l...
"Pre-Installed Linux Options
We are listening, and as a result, we are working with Novell to certify our corporate client products for Linux, including our OptiPlex desktops, Latitude notebooks and Dell Precision workstations. This is another step towards ensuring that our customers have a good experience with Linux on our systems."
420
No Proprietary Hardware
Dell submitted by galaxie
02/26/07
I'm a long time IT pro and pet peeve of mine from the old days was proprietary hardware. I totally dislike the Dell moves in that direction and one reason I quit buying and promoting Dell equipment. I personally like the generic chip sets over proprietary ones. There are a couple significant reasons.
Number one, less support. Need an updated driver? Less drive to create one for you if it is not a wide spread chip or was quickly abandoned by Dell. How about one for a non-Microsoft OS? If you look around for the more widespread stuff there always seems to be someone with a driver even if it is not the OEM.
It makes you dependent on Dell to come up with a driver and or recognize an error. Look at network and sound cards - primarily where I see this. You have to jump through the maze of support that is the dell download site. (That's a whole different Idea.) It is really easy to hit a number of forums out there and find solutions or work arounds for "generic" stuff when there is an issue, good luck if you have something Dell.
Another reason, it to me makes me think of Dell as just junk. Just like MS trying to lock you into their products. The problem is, there isn't actually a reason to do it with hardware though. I mean there are possibilities, but none seem good. Take networking for an example. I mean how much can you honestly save by creating and making your own chipset vs buying a broadcom off the shelf one? (I haven't tore apart any to really see what the actual chips are on Dell cards.) That said, I don't think the broadcom chipsets are the best in world - but they do seem to work very well with virtually every network device. Granted I think Intel makes better stuff in general and use it in all my equipment at this time and it is USUALLY an option for an upgrade to Dell stuff - at about what it costs me to buy it separately.
650
another request for linux
Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by drlouis
02/21/07
I would also love to see either a choice of linux distro's pre-installed or at least an option to purchase with no OS pre-installed. I'd also like to see an effort made to select hardware components that are 'friendly' to open source operating systems (ie that have well tested/supported drivers available). It looks like I'm far from alone.
400
 track my votes
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