gilhad

Documented hardware, OS options

Operating Systems submitted by ndigic 03/01/07

With my activities at work and home in the last five years I have prevented the purchase of at least twelve Dell workstations and servers (Dell was the preferred supplier) in favour of building my own.

This is because Dell has not offered three things that are important:

* documented hardware that has well-functioning drivers already in the linux or freeBSD kernel

* not being forced to pay for a ms system that I've no desire to use

* AMD processors, for high performance and low power consumption (the calculations I most often make run more than twice as fast on a 2.2GHz AMD64 than on a 3.0GHz Xeon, although there are other algorithms that are worse on the AMD).

If only you would provide computers with the guarantee that every part is fullyl documented for writing of drivers (or, even better, that every piece is already fully supported by e.g. Linux without additional drivers), AND that I can get a system with no OS and no payment to an OS vendor, I would be saving time and getting these machines from Dell (or whoever else would offer this).
I'd also be able to buy a new laptop -- since I can't easily build them from parts I buy second hand Thinkpad T20s that have fairly good support (needing a proprietary modem driver is tedious, but otherwise it's ok).

Previous posts are quite right: there are many questions of "what hardware vendor supports Linux|BSD etc. best?" It carries weight. The simplicity of EVERY driver in the vanilla kernel is enormous: e.g. no need to beg a vendor for a 64bit version -- it just works... 1 Comment »

Allow ideas that management doesn't want to hear

IdeaStorm submitted by slashdot 03/01/07

I believe IdeaStorm would be much more effective if Dell didn't censor suggestions and comments that Dell management disapproves of. 6 Comments »

Drivers for ALL hardware regardless of OS

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Operating Systems submitted by ordnancemarine 03/01/07

Many Dell customers already use different OS's on their Dell computers. I would love to have drivers for something that I already paid for, for my choice of OS.

It isn't too hard to package a source installer for any OS.

How about support for the Ricoh smart card reader that only works with windoze?

How about the Broadcomm wireless drivers that only work with windoze? 2 Comments »

unmerge http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/62248

IdeaStorm submitted by dhart 03/01/07

Please unmerge http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/62248 "Universal Education PC | Linux | Windows | Mac OS | OLPC".

A search for "education" reveals up no similar articles (i.e. an education-oriented PC capable of running ALL modern classroom education software, regardless of the platform for which it was written).

Also, please consider moderating the moderators in some form. Thanks. Comment »

Preinstalled Linux and Open Office

Linux, Software submitted by cajungenes 03/02/07

1 Comment »

Choose OS as any component

Operating Systems submitted by lmail 03/02/07

I would like to have the alternative to choose any OS i Want
Linux (any distribution) or windows or no OS or multi OS linux + windows. Comment »

hardware suport in the kernel

Linux submitted by rmcvanleeuwen 03/02/07

dell must only use hardware that works with gpl drivers for there products.
if dell cannot deliver a pc without windows they can fore hardware vendors to deliver hardware with opensource drivers in the Linux kernel,
so everyone can use there favorite Linux distribution out of the box for years to com. Comment »

Make Laptops with metal cases not with plastic cases

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by drahnreb 03/02/07

Please build Laptops with metal cases like aluminium, magnesia or stainless steel.

The harddisk should be vibartion free implemented in the case. This have two advantages:
- shock resistence
- silence

Than make the keyboard waterproof.

When the total weight of the Laptop (with powerswitch) is less than 2 kg, than it would be a robust mobile notebook.

Make, that this wouldn't be no longer a dream. 2 Comments »

New Dell Retail Store! Death to Mall Kiosks!

Advertising and Marketing, Sales Strategies submitted by evilspell 02/16/07

Dell should open a retail store very similar to the Apple store. I know that they have small kiosks inside malls that they try to sell Plasma TV's and a couple laptops next to a guy selling knock off sunglasses and verizon cell phone sales sharks! Very unprofessional. Open a classy Dell Store and offer Tech support right in the store just like the Genius Bar in the Apple Store. 144 Comments »

Linux on existing Dell machines = an entirely NEW line of Dell PRODUCTS at little to no additional cost

Linux submitted by phubert 03/02/07

Any suggestion that Linux sales would be minimal completely overlooks one VERY interesting factor: there are times when SUPPLY GENERATES demand. Take any NEW product, for example. You COULD (very erroneously) say; "No one has ever bought this, so it won't amount to much, if any revenue." Interesting. IF you follow that logic consistently, there would NEVER be ANY _new_ products.

Linux on Dell machines has the same potential effect as the introduction of a NEW PRODUCT. The Dell's are the same, but the package offered is COMPLETELY different. I believe the demand FOR Linux on Dell machines expressed at this site supports this theory.

If Dell recognizes THIS, they may just CREATE a market for their existing line of machines AS THOUGH they were ENTIRELY NEW products... without the COST of developing an entirely new line OF products. 2 Comments »

Dell foundation for open source

Service and Support submitted by drahnreb 03/02/07

Why doesn´t Dell support open source projects? 1 Comment »

Bigger 7,200 RPM Laptop Hard Drives (and Laptop Raid)

Servers and Storage, Laptops submitted by markgoedeke 03/02/07

Currently the biggest available 7,200 RPM hard drive on a Dell laptop is 100 GB (if I am not mistaken).

There is a 160 GB 7,200 RPM laptop drive available from Seagate (Momentus 7200.2).

Why is this not available? 100 GB is tiny these days (only about 90 GB when formatted) and performance users can't afford to go to higher capacity 5,400 or 4,200 RPM drives because they are too slow.

What would also greatly assist in increasing hard drive space and performance is offering a second hard drive in a laptop for RAID purposes. 1 Comment »

Open Source, the taste of freedom

Linux, Software submitted by drahnreb 03/02/07

Open source give us the taste of freedom, to do that with our hardware, what ever we want to do. We are grown up and mature customers we need no paternalism in using pre-instructed software. Dell is a fee company in a free world. Give us the freedom too, and support open source.

Comment »

KISS! No to a Dell-Linux, No to Preinstalled OSes. Just Certificate!

Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by slacentra 03/02/07

I guess by now it is wiser - as I've seen from any other posts - to keep it as simple as possible. That is, do not think about direct installation and not even about a specific distribution.
Simply provide an hassles free platform that can easily work with major distros. What I mean is a PC with specific components that work for sure with linux. In this situation customers won't have to google around seeking drivers to compile or whatever hacking solution. They will grab their preferred distro and install it being sure that it will work properly. On the other side, Distro-makers/providers will know on which hw platform to target and even components makers will be pulled towards linux if want to sell to Dell.
Mainly, the aim is to come out with something good-enough where now it is not as-good-as-supposed (you have to know what hardware, what features, etc you have or not). Too complicated for a "common" user.
Interesting the idea to implement Linux Bios. That 's the only thing I would "personalize" instead of making an entire distro (and why not implement via Bios the option to select a Distro/OS to install? Receive your PC at home, plug it in the power and adsl lines, select your flavour, Start enjoying).
Ah, it is important that Dell works closely with the community for all this kind of projects to work correctly. Comment »

Make it your own

IdeaStorm, Linux, Software submitted by eevargas 03/02/07

I read this from LJ. . .

" It’s exciting to see the IdeaStorm community’s interest in open source solutions like Linux and OpenOffice. Your feedback has been all about flexibility and we have seen a consistent request to provide platforms that allow people to install their operating system of choice. 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.

As this community knows, there is no single customer preference for a distribution of Linux. In the last week, the IdeaStorm community suggested more than half a dozen distributions. We don't want to pick one distribution and alienate users with a preference for another. We want users to have the opportunity to help define the market for Linux on desktop and notebook systems. In addition to working with Novell, we are also working with other distributors and evaluating the possibility of additional certifications across our product line. We are continuing to investigate your other Linux-related ideas, so please continue to check here for updates."

I think there's no way to make all Linux users happy. Even for me (3 years of only Linux) it is hard to decide with distro to use, because there's is a lot of great Linux distro out there right now. My suggestion is, instead of team-up with Novell, hardly open source's favorite company at the moment, you should make your on distro taking the best features from each one. You only need to hire a good team of Linux developers. Yes! Uncle Bill will be mad with you Mike, but you have to choose the path that DELL will take from know on. Novell has made a great job With Suse, Ubuntu is changing the way of Linux and PCLinuxOS is easy, fast and beautiful. I can't wait to see what DELL can do. 1 Comment »

Linux Installed with Hardware only support

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by msilver 03/02/07

Would love to see a good laptop and or PC that has hardware that is generally supported in the Linux / BSD world.

Offer no Support for OS, provide a hardware support only option.

I can install my own OS and manage it and my apps fine.

If Dell could offer me a PC without an OS and a hardware suppot only option I would be very happy.

Mark 2 Comments »

Set up an independent business unit for GNU/Linux systems

Dell, Linux submitted by glynmoody 03/02/07

Clearly, there is a huge pent-up demand for pre-installed GNU/Linux systems from Dell. But equally clearly, it would be difficult for Dell to make, sell and support such systems with its current business model.

Why doesn't Dell adopt the solution outlined by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen in his book The Innovator's Dilemma? That is, to set up a completely autonomous division, dedicated solely to meeting the demand for such systems - one that is not obliged to follow any of Dell's traditional practices.

Unconstrained by Dell's current methods or cost structures, it will be able to explore, devise and adopt innovative solutions to serve this very different market profitably. Dell makes money, people get their pre-installed systems. 44 Comments »

MultiBoot Option

Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by huntusa 03/02/07

I always try to configure my Dell machine with Dual Processor and double SATA connected RAID array hard drives.I wanted to have Linux on one hard drive and windows on other one and every time I stop from checking out the item because there is no Linux on those machines and other thing that I want Dell to do is that please don't classify the machines according to Home User or Small Business because if a Home user wants to buy a Small Business machine then most of the time they can't do it because of other legal formalities and tax limitations.
Open your machines with Linux PreInstalled for all kind of users.
I hope you understand my idea.If not then please feel free to write me and email so that I can clarify my idea.
Hunt Comment »

Creating a Linux based subsidiary

Linux submitted by burtoni 03/02/07

Instead of trying to incorporate linux based systems into the regular Dell product stream what about creating a susidiary company that would be focussed on the Linux based home PC market. Give the subsidary it's own mandate and get it to come up with a 5-year plan. This needs to start out small, just like Dell did many years ago. A few systems with a single distribution to start, one that has it's own support structure (Ubuntu comes to mind). This start-up could develop it's own model for support and distribution but have the benefit of being able to access Dell's marketing channels and production capability. After 5 years the success of the start-up could be evaluated and the decision made to continue as an independent subsidiary, brought back into the Dell corporate fold or closed down. The key would be to give it the 5 years to show if Linux based PC's for the home is a viable market. 1 Comment »

Only we want drivers for Linux

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by nagxxi 03/02/07

The major problem for use linux in the Desk computers and the laptops computers, are the ausence of drivers. I have a printer Dell 3000cn, but cannot print in my Linux System. I am thinking purchase a Dell laptop, but ¿if have no drivers for my Linux Debian etch?.

Please: 100% Linux Compatibility!!!!! 1 Comment »