eponym

Put Blu-Ray into the Linux Version of the XPS M1330

submitted by beetrayer Feb 6

I noticed the recent add of Ubuntu to the XPS line & am happy Dell did that. But Now they should offer Blu-Ray with this machine &/ or others that run linux, by dell 6 Comments »

Improve the Idea Process on IdeaStorm

Dell, IdeaStorm submitted by jervis961 Jan 31

The current way this site works lacks proper feedback and process to show the customer that their ideas are important to Dell. The process also does not allow the ideas to gain proper exposure from visitors that is needed to propel the ideas to the popular ideas front page. Here are some suggestions for improvement.

1. All ideas should be read by a Dell representative and tagged as acknowledged within 3 days of being posted. I know this will be difficult on old ideas but if you go through and read them you will spot lots of duplicates to merge in the process.

2. Every time Dell has a meeting to discuss the top ideas they should change the tag to appropriately identify Dell's reaction to the idea. Currently there are several ideas on the front page without a status tag that should have been discussed by Dell already.

3. When users visit the site they should be taken to the recent ideas page to give those ideas more visability. I'm sure that Dell's own research shows that most users only visit the first page or two of the popular ideas tab which is unfair to all the other ideas submitted.

4. Don't just delete ideas and send off an email to the poster, allow them to defend themselves first. While it only takes a minute to read an idea, some users have spent a lot of time creating it. Dell should ask for clarification or post a comment on why they feels it should be deleted and the poster should be given 3 days to respond (unless there is a TOU violation involved).

5. Have an open mind and quit being a bunch of bean counters. We have read responses from Dell worried about profitability of ideas. While profit is the primary goal of the company, sometimes you have to take a chance. A truely innovative idea may not earn direct profits but may garner significant press and show Dell as the leader is should be rather than just another follower.

Feel free to post any other ways you feel the process can be improved inside the comments of this idea. 38 Comments »

Ubuntu Line [ Give us the choice of including hardware that is only OFFICIALLY supported on windows units ]

Desktops, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by tekhawk Jan 31

Give us the choice of including hardware that only OFFICIALLY supported on windows units

the idea is basicly stuff that dell says isnt support right now finger print readers, blue-ray, ect that they dont know a good way to make work should still be a hardware option in a section titled Unsupported Hardware or something of the like so that for those of us that can make it work can still get it on our units without ordering the windows model and if its something that has planned future support such as the finger print reader we can get it with the units we want NOW and get the support when the next update is released

please post any hardware you would like to see added to this list

Finger Print Reader
Blue-Ray
HD-DVD "its dead but im listing it here for those that think its not"
Intel 4965 wireless card 23 Comments »

Put XPSes into the Linux Pool

Linux submitted by jeverettk Jan 31 **REVIEWED**

Linux users aren't a bunch of cheap-o's looking for the next cheapest thing.

Until the driver questions, component manufacturer partnerships, and commercial licensing contractual obligations are worked out so that you can provide Linux as an option for every PC, at least show Linux users that you mean business by offering the kind of high performance systems we're used to building ourselves.

I ought to see a Dell Linux Media Center XPS on your Linux page right now. Why not?


Please see matt_d's comment
12 Comments »

Develop Linux Promotional Material For Your Linux Products!

Advertising and Marketing, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by aikiwolfie Jan 25

This is the information page for the Ubuntu version of the M1330. The M1330n. Except it's not. Dell simply reused the M1330's information page.

This might not seem like a huge problem. But take a look at the promotional video. Near the end all you hear about is how how you can access media and Microsoft office "without powering up the PC". And also notice the lovely photos of an XPS M1330 with a Vista desktop at the bottom right of the page.

Is Dell selling embedded Microsoft products on a Linux platform?

Just as a side note. If you're using any application at all on a PC, direct media or not, then th PC is "powered up". So the video even lies to Microsoft users. 2 Comments »

Detachable Notebook mouse

submitted by thedave Feb 6

I'd like a mouse that could clip into the bottom/back/side of a notebook instead of using the touchpad or eraserhead in the middle of the keyboard. the actual mouse could be small, ugly and uncomfortable - i wouldn't care.

this would eliminate the need to learn the feel of the touchpad and for carrying around an external mouse (touchpads and dropdown menus DO NOT get along). i mean dell already sells mice that are the size of pack of gum, why not let it be an integrated part of the notebook? 2 Comments »

Make all AC Adapters 3-prong

submitted by iolanthe Jan 28

As there have been several stories online attributing a "tingle" sensation when using notebooks (of any kind, not just Dell!) that employ an AC adapter with only 2 prongs, Dell should make a 3-prong adapter the standard. The third prong provides a ground, which allows for a much more comfortable feeling as opposed to any kind of tingling or shock. Dell, please do this for the comfort and peace of mind of your customers!

You even talk about it on your own blog:
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/01/18/41538.aspx

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/04/24/8522.aspx

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/08/07/23118.aspx 1 Comment »

Expand Wireless USB to All Systems; Add to Peripherals

Broadband and Mobility, Printers and Ink submitted by coachcg Jan 22

Dell - Thanks for being one of the first to market with notebooks containing wireless USB - the Inspiron 1525 and the Inspiron 1720 ( http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/01/03/40345.aspx ). Could you accelerate WUSB implementation into all your notebooks and then into all your desktops too?

Could you also work on getting WUSB transmitters installed in all your printers and peripherals?

Lastly, it would be great for those that have already purchased existing notebooks if you could work on getting them a wireless USB upgrade - possibly as an express card and/or PCMCIA add on for laptops.

For those who do not know about Wireless USB, here is a good article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_USB

Bluetooth has been nice and probably will need to remain in notebooks for a time, the speed and range of this new WUSB technology will allow us to have much more mobility in our workspace and reduce and/or eliminate the need for docking stations. 7 Comments »

Dell... Offer Faster RAM!

Sales Strategies submitted by incubus240 Jan 20

Dell needs to offer faster RAM (i.e. If the FSB on the laptop is 800Mhz then match with 800Mhz RAM rather than 667Mhz RAM). I always have to buy the minimum amount of RAM for the system and end up throwing it away. They charge me $350 for 2GB of 667Mhz then I turn around and purchase 4GB of 800Mhz for $130. Since they make you buy at least 2GB... it is such a waiste! 7 Comments »

$299 Laptop

Laptops submitted by jack_satan Feb 1

Dell already sells a completely functional (albeit low-end) Vostro 1000 for $399 with a 15.4 in. screen, 80 GB HDD, Windows, and free shipping. If they just offered the same computer with a 14.1 in. screen, open-source operating system, and 60 GB HDD, they should be able to sell it at $299 with an even better profit margin.

Furthermore, besides for the public relations coup from offering the first fully functional sub $300 laptop, Dell would also be opening up a whole new market of buyers that have been clamoring to get their hands on the OLPC XO, Asus EEE PC, and Intel Classmate. 20 Comments »

coreboot (formerly LinuxBIOS) instead of proprietary BIOS

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by yesmathew 02/20/07

coreboot (formerly known as LinuxBIOS) is a Free Software project aimed at replacing the proprietary BIOS (firmware) you can find in most of today's computers.
- Fast boot times 3 sec.
- Runs in 32-Bit protected mode almost from the start
- Can boot Windows too...

External links:
- http://www.coreboot.org/Welcome_to_coreboot
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxbios<

An Example:
- http://wiki.laptop.org/go/LinuxBIOS 90 Comments »

Have AMD CPUS As an option for the Ubuntu Line

Linux submitted by timberwolf753 Feb 8

Give the people choice of CPU's to use in your Ubuntu Line. I want to buy one but I don't use Intel CPU's becasue they suck up power and that is why I use Energy Efficient AMD CPUs. So please, Let us choice if we want an AMD or Intel CPU in our computers. 2 Comments »

Dell must cut ties to Scientology

Advertising and Marketing, Dell submitted by dakkona Feb 7

A video has recently been leaked from the 2006-2007 Church of Scientology New Year's gathering, where their leader, David Miscavige, lauds a campaign to spread Scientology and lead an operation to "OBLITERATE" psychiatry. And he PRAISES DELL for AIDING them in distributing a booklet of theirs called "The Way to Happiness" all over Africa!

See http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=hfu7Sr50N7U (Dell is mentioned about 8 minutes in)

Dell, if this association with the so-called Church of Scientology continues, IT MUST END. While the beliefs of individual scientologists are not a problem, the leadership is corrupt, members have to pay exorbitant amounts of money to progress, and their tactics in dealing with critics and those who try to leave the organization are despicable. But that isn't all. Visit http://www.xenu.net and http://www.whyaretheydead.net for information.

Regardless of what one thinks of Scientology though, it is NOT Dell's place to aid the spread of a particular belief system or campaign. 124 Comments »

Develop A Linux/Ubuntu Compatibility Testing Tool

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by aikiwolfie Jan 24

It's clear now that implementation of Ubuntu across Dells range of desktop and notebook systems is going to be a slow and arduous process. Undoubtedly there's a tone of compatibility testing and bug fixing to be done before Dell can sell most systems to customers that just work. Dell however are holding things back by not utilizing the Linux communities greatest assets. Linux users!

The idea is quite simple. Distribute an automated test pattern to Dell customers who are already running Linux/Ubuntu on their PCs. The automated tool will probe the systems configuration and ask the user about any technical difficulties they face and report the results back to Dell.

With an army of users out there Dell could quickly amass a wealth of valuable test data with respect as to what works and what doesn't work. This would allow Dell to concentrate their Ubuntu efforts on the systems that are most compatible. Which would in turn allow Dell to quickly provide a good range of choice for it's Ubuntu and Linux customer base.

Think of it as a way of Simplifying IT! 8 Comments »

Allow notebook batteries to be charged outside the notebook as well

submitted by eaglewonj Jan 24

Design notebook batteries that can be charged outside the notebook on the same power adapter. This would allow two or more batteries to be charged at once. It also allows the laptop to remain away from a power adapter and have batteries brought to it that are charged remotely.

Perhaps this could be done with the notebook docks. Dock and charge the laptop and the extra battery. 2 Comments »

XPS M1530 Led Monitor lighting

Monitors and Displays, XPS products submitted by valerio.gioia 12/27/07

Led lighting for XPS M1530 displays would be a really interesting option. Many people would choose that display since there is less power consumption and led life is really higher than CCFL tubes! 23 Comments »

Dell: Support Open BIOSes for Linux

Dell, Linux submitted by phubert 10/10/07 **REVIEWED**

An Open BIOS for Linux would free it from the DOS legacy code and speed boot times.

The current BIOS is a legacy throwback... it's time to replace it!






Our current priority is to expand Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Read what daniel_j has to say.





26 Comments »

Dell's Website must work with Firefox running on Linux

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by qgonjon 07/16/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

It's discouraging to have a Tier 1 vendor (Dell) selling Linux products and yet not really tailoring to Linux. Don't get me wrong Dell, I am not trying to take away all the good you have done. Offering Linux is a step in the right direction and I would like to see more steps taken in a monthly or quarterly basis. But, it seems that the basis for your current Linux promotion is for the Open Source enthusiast like me. I use Linux at home and at work as my main operating system. I use Firefox as my browser and I'm trying to order a Dell Inspiron 1420N. However, it seems that the embedded flash script that shows the different colors choices for the Inspiron is not working under Linux. It also shows that I can't see the different images thereafter. It works with Windows running Firefox as my vmware machine verified. But that is not the type of user that will most likely purchase a Linux laptop.

My request is simple. Can someone fix and verify that this page works well with Linux browser technology? So, that users can enjoy purchasing your Linux products and demonstrate that Dell really cares about their customer's operating system preference.

Dell I wish you the best in this venture as your success in this territory will help the Linux Desktop become a reality to the open source community.





71 Comments »

Linux Drivers for All Dell Devices

Linux, Monitors and Displays submitted by grifter 10/24/07 **REVIEWED**

If Dell truly wishes to promote their Ubuntu line of computers then they should make sure that all of their devices work properly with the OS. For instance, the SP2008WFP monitor, while it does display everything fine, does not have drives for Linux systems of any kind. This is most certainly a hamper for any Ubuntu users to want to buy a Dell peripheral.


Please see john_h and matt_d's comments
14 Comments »

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. 26 Comments »