gweston

use your eyes to quickly move the mouse

Laptops submitted by ninjagecko 3 days ago

Summary:
Add eye-tracking hardware to laptops which lets users move their mouse with their eyes.
This is an extra feature, you can still use the mouse/trackpad/mousestick.

--- Cool features: ---

- "Did your computer just do something because you winked at it?!"
- have the cursor "locks" upon things like buttons or Firefox tabs or text fields or links or menus and such
- winking could simulate a click (but I personally would prefer to use the mouse buttons, since I'd be afraid of straining my eye -- even though I usually look at what I click on like most people, one's eyes do not always fixate on that point in the center of one's visual field)
- very important: cross-platform (for Linux and Mac too)

Eye-mice would also be a plus for disabled users.

One could use this eye-track as a means to move the mouse a long distance and then use a mousestick to home in on a button or something.

--- Implementation: ---

One way to do this is to use a very high-resolution camera with high zoom, and machine learning techniques (open-source software already exists to do this, but very poorly... e.g. does not track head movement or different distances or biological saccades).

Often, imperceptible infrared light is shone upon the user's face to enhance the image.

--- Open development / license: ---

The software should be LGPL or similar license to foster other vendors to adopt similar technology; while this may seem counter-intuitive from a business perspective, if users demand more and more a feature and Dell is one of the only 2-3 manufacturers, that's a good thing. The proper license will also force other vendors to push back the improvements they make to Dell. An appropriately open platform will allow many computer scientists to contribute knowing that it can be used in their Linux laptops and other manufacturer laptops, improving the whole experience. This seems like something which would require a coalition / alliance / open initiative (like the Google phone did) in order to ensure that the right architecture was developed. 14 Comments »

Build a Foam Character Contest!

Dell Web Site, Environment, Sales Strategies submitted by claudiaj Apr 29

The old saying that kids like the box and packaging better than the actual gift still holds true.

Our new Dell computer came with the usual foam packaging, which makes a great Foam Guy! My suggestion is to have Dell host an online contest where Dell customers use the foam packaging from their new Dell computer to build an interesting character, like we did (see below), and upload a picture to post to a website. Then invite the public to view the website and vote for their favorite, where winner(s) would get some small prize like accessories for their new computer.
The website would bring in new possible customers, you could have advertising, and even some messages about "green>" and recycling of this packaging that was used (Green being very popular right now....)

Here is a picture of our Foam Guy!

4 Comments »

Up To Date

Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by darkproteus66 Apr 30

Work with software and hardware manufacturers so that new hardware or OS' are available day one. Such as having Ubuntu distros available same day as when the new releases are. Or having new video cards available as an option day one. This gives better options for the consumer as well as allows Dell to catch the early adopter market. Comment »

XP Offered to XPS420 Customers

XPS products submitted by maddog Apr 30

Dell owes XPS 420 customers an apology and the option to purchase at reduced cost (better yet FREE) XP Pro, XP Media Center, XP Home WITH ALL drivers for installation on XPS 420 systems! I’ll gladly return my Vista disks for XP any day. I’ve learned to hate Vista with a passion I cannot express in a public forum. It’s the biggest joke Microsoft has played on its customers since Windows ME.

I recently purchased an XPS420 with Vista Home Premium. I was told by the sales person that XP was not available and would not work with this particular model. I had the system up and running XP Pro within 6 hours including hunting down drivers which was not easy. The only drivers that I haven’t been able to locate is for the Blue Tooth package (19 in 1 card reader). Some of the drivers came from the Vista Resource disk, some from the XPS210 drivers page, video card drivers from the manufacturer, and NIC from the internet using find drivers option. It feels like the system has doubled in speed and I’ve gained about 10 additional gigabytes in drive space over Vista. I’m a happy dude now BUT very disappointed in Dell for this deception. Still beats HP thought . . . 15 Comments »

The "Patriot"! American Made

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by sa2008 Apr 30

We live in a global marketplace with a global economy; however, many of us are still very proud to be AMERICAN. I would very much like to see Dell produce a laptop called the "Patriot". This machine should be AMERICAN made, and it should have a couple of really cool and patriotic color options.

color option 1 - camo with the end users choice of military logos
color option 2 - the US FLAG

I realize that Dell has move a portion of its workforce to other countries; however, I still consider Dell an AMERICAN company.

I see this type of laptop as an opportunity for Dell to give back a little to the people and the country that made it possible to be DELL.

I would also like to see a portion of every patriot laptop sold dedicated to a charity that specifically supports wounded soldiers and their families!

It's time for Dell to be AMERICAN PROUD!!!! 54 Comments »

Computers for Autistic Children

New Product Ideas submitted by eitniears Apr 29

Hello, my son, Ian is 6 years old and has Autism spectrum disorder. One of the characteristics of autism is restricted interests. Well, my sons' interest is quite restricted to computers!!
And his brand of choice is DELL.
We have purchased him about 5 different VTech brand computers for kids. He masters them almost immediately and gets frustrated because he likes WORD so he can type.
It would be awesome if DELL made challenging computers for kids , especially kids with autism.
This was in fact Ian's idea. He desperately wants a DELL computer of his own, a LAPTOP!!! He is very specific. I recently purchased a new Dell Desktop sytem and let the kids have my old DELL. Well, Ian is tired of it and now wants a Laptop.
He is so funny.
Please consider doing something for kids on the autism spectrum that are interested in computers!
Thank you! 7 Comments »

Boot manager

Software submitted by pablohs Apr 29

What about Dell working on an EASY and USER FRIENDLY boot manager software integrated with all their computers - probably integrated with the BIOS. How great would it be to add an operative system by clicking on a button that say "add new OS", and inserting CD 1/1 in the drive. It would be great having a welcome screen that have buttons to select what OS to use; XP, Vista, Ubuntu, OSX, etc. I am not sofware engineer, but it seems to me that BIOS are very underutilized. A well developed BIOS could provide some flexibility to non-computer-savy people. I know this can be done today, but you need to have some computer experience using boot loaders and partition managers. What I am talking is making it super easy for the common user! 17 Comments »

All Dell monitors must support 32 bits color

Monitors and Displays submitted by winoffice Apr 29

Just now I came across a Dell widescreen flat panel LCD monitor, the E198WFP (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&...). Alongside the fact that this monitor does not have 1920x1200 (which already makes me unlikely to buy it), even worse, the monitor only supports 24 bits color (click "Tech Specs" and see "Color Support' under "Display")! Today there exists much software that will not even install or run (without 32 bits), and yet some Dell monitors come with only 24 bits! That makes this monitor completely not viable for most use. Dell needs to upgrade all non-32 bits monitors to 32 bits color. 1 Comment »

Solid State Hard Drive

Servers and Storage, Desktops and Laptops submitted by pablohs Apr 29

I would like to have a "small" solid state HD. The idea is to have a solid state (i.e. flash memory) HD for the operative system(s) - allowing for a faster boot. A large, more traditional HD could be use for the everything else. 11 Comments »

All 64 Bit PC's

Desktops submitted by class2008 05/25/07

Dell should begin producing all 64 bit pc's. WIth rumors of Windows Vista being the last OS available in 32 bit, they should get consumers ready with 64 bit pc's, at reasonable prices. 50 Comments »

Wireless docking station

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by pablohs Apr 28

Ok, I know it sounds crazy, but what about a wireless docking station? A little black box where I can connect keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, network, etc. (several usb ports will be nice). Then I just plug my laptop to the wall (so it does not run out of battery), but I don't need to loacate it under the monitor and/or snap it to the box. Everything works wireless. An application similar to direct media will allow me to access the hard drive and aplication without having to open and or turn the laptop on. If I am going to do something quick, I amy even leave the laptop in the case and use the battery to power it. 9 Comments »

Overclocking options

Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by carlobaluta 02/20/07

Have overclocking options in BIOS, as other motherboard manufacturers have. This should apply to high end gaming machines, designed for people who know what they are doing.
Also, i believe this kind of computers are way too pricey as I can always buy the parts and build such a machine for way less and with far more options...

Carlo 54 Comments »

Something other than Microsoft and Intel

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Software submitted by badrap Apr 28

Why can't we have other processors and software products. 5 Comments »

Offer machine specific XP drivers.

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Operating Systems submitted by jtellis Apr 28

I recently bought a refurb 1721. Because of development work I'm doing I need to be running XP Pro. I understand that this machine is designed to work with Vista, but apparently your tech guys are telling people that the drivers don't even exist for XP - which they do.

Given that you are now offering XP as an option on equivalent machines, could you post a machine specific driver package for those of us who would like to switch to XP? That way I don't have to dig through and figure out all the drivers I need, I could just bring down a standard set. 3 Comments »

Don't charge for changing laptop color

Laptops submitted by shrndegruv Apr 25

Nothing says

"We're going to charge you just because we can"

like charging $25 for changing the laptop casing color. I mean, really? 2 Comments »

A Better Laptop Keyboard

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by cubfnatic Apr 26

I would like to see a laptop that brings the keyboard closer to you and sticks the mouse off to the side or to the back, opposite of how they are configured now. I dont like having to reach back so far to get to the keyboard. Comment »

Dell laptop design needs refining

Laptops submitted by mattbambow Apr 24

Grey and black is no longer has the cache it once had, wouldn't it be better for Dell to take a slightly alternative approach on some laptops by creative cutting-edge, bespoke styled laptops for consumers. Laptops could be designed in terms of look and feel by those within the Dell Ideastorm, or designers themselves similar to the way that Sky+ has outsourced design to be able to charge a premium. 1 Comment »

xp operating system offered on all products

Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by winekfam Apr 24

I would like to have the option to buy windows xp on the xps 1530. We have vista on two computers and donot like the system. 4 Comments »

Contrbute to Ubuntu

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by darkproteus66 Apr 24

Dell should actively contribute to Ubuntu and other open source projects either financially or through software. 12 Comments »

Show Max Specs in System Descriptions

Desktops and Laptops submitted by dfrandin Apr 23

It would make research on ordering Dell systems if the maximum values of RAM, hard drive size etc, were shown on the system description pages. A good example of what I'm talking about: The Optiplex 755, shows on the memory section, "Up to 4.0GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM, 800MHz, (4DIMM)". However, if you take the time to read the online Optiplex service manual, you find that the system supports
2GB DIMMs, for a total of up to 8GB.. A non-technical user would not know to double-check the service manual to find that information out.. Also the Storage entry states "Up to SATA 3.0Gb/s, RAID 1 Data Security, Capacities up to 250GB".. I strongly suspect that the 755 is not limited to a 250GB drive.
In the case of RAM, with 64Bit OS becoming more popular and RAM (other than Dell) dropping in price, the 8GB support on the 755, I'm sure, will be heavily used. Please let your customers and potential customers learn this info without resorting to reading the service manual... 3 Comments »