FreeBSD or *BSD support
Service and Support submitted by andilek
02/20/07
Right now there is lots of companies and projects connected to *BSD.
Most of them have difficulties when growing to clusters and external FC storage systems, due to lack of drivers and support for these.
I believe there is huge opportunity for Dell to get this market.
932
Open Office / Linux users, please read
Linux, Software submitted by beefman
02/23/07
Folks, I think everyone appreciates the level of interest, support and enthusiam for Open Source products. If you're looking to get heard, you're MUCH better served to vote for an already written idea that best fits what you want to achieve. The S/N ratio is seriously low right now. 300 posts on offering Linux, 200 on offering OpenOffice, 150 on offering a No OS option out of 1600 are nowhere near as effective as three-five VERY well written posts that outline the issues at hand. I'd even go as far as to say several such posts exist. A blizzard of linux-alike posts only lessens the utility of this site and makes it more likely Dell will just ignore it. So rather than scrabbling away at the keyboard and posting yet another "OFFER UBUNTU!" idea, find one that best fits what you want and vote for it.
330
Ubuntu for home users
Linux submitted by boulderpc
02/26/07
In the absence of good service under the old leadership at Dell my business is booming. Along the way I have had the opportunity to load a variety of Linux builds including the ones already listed in other posts in this forum. Without fail the build that works best with your hardware has been Ubuntu with emphasis on the KDE version called Kubuntu. My customers who have Dell computers and who made the switch from Windows to Kubuntu absolutely love it-passionately!
With that said and from this professionals point of view, if Dell were to offer D-Link wireless products and Kubuntu pre-loaded Dell would have the perfect computer for the average home and office users.
And let it be known, if ya'all don't followup on this "Idea Storm", my company will! So get it together or maybe next year you'll be at my website ordering your new computer from me! The BPC 6100!
590
Preinstalled Ubuntu
Linux, Sales Strategies, Software submitted by webdev
02/25/07
I would like to see Dell computers with a Linux distro like Ubuntu pre-installed with everything working smoothly.
Also, please put the following free software preinstalled on your Windows machines:
* Firefox
* OpenOffice
* the GIMP or Paint.net
No more "craplets" like pre-installed AOL, etc.
By doing those things you will be offering more value than your competition. Linux in particular has thousands of free programs available for download.
570
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
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.
610
Provide Linux compatibility information on all products up front
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by spm
02/21/07 **REVIEWED**
My company used to buy all out IT products from Dell. The main reason we don't buy any Dell products any more is that it is so difficult to get information from Dell on Linux compatibility, except from a few very expensive high end products. Calling Dell product support to find out if a particular product will work with Linux and where to get drivers is an offputting experience. Dell sales staff seem to take a perverse delight in telling customers that they don't support Linux, and when I tell them that I don't want support from them, only compatibility and driver information, they tell me that they can't give me that information, nor information on chipsets which might allow me to locate information from elsewhere.
The bottom line is that I expect at the very least to be provided compatibility and chipset information before I buy a PC. Neither myself or any other customer is going to buy a Dell PC to test it on Dells behalf - product testing and certification is the manufacturer's responsibility, not mine. White box suppliers, and other mail order suppliers on the other hand are only too willing to provide motherboard, chipset, and component information etc. to allow me to check compatibility.
The reason why we no longer buy any Dell products is simple - we use a small number of Linux PCs in our office and all the servers in our office run Linux. We buy all hardware, peripherals including low end desktop hardware so that they are deployable with both Linux and Windows. We do this for obvious reasons - for example, we might want to plug in a printer originally purchased for use with Windows into a Linux server print queue, and we may want server applications to print to the printer. We may want to redeploy Windows Desktops later as Linux desktops - for example to use as a shared data access desktop. Therefore, although our desktop PCs are overwhelmingly Windows, we won't buy any hardware that isn't Linux compatible, even if it is intended for use with Windows initially. Dell unfortunately doesn't meet those needs, and we cannot buy equipment from Dell. I am sure a lot of other companies which use Linux in the office have similar issues.
Here is what Dell needs to do to have a chance of winning our (and other's) custom:
1) Advertise and inform about Linux compatibility or otherwise. Finding out about compatibility before buying is the most difficult thing about Linux, not installation or configuration. Any company that can do this has a huge advantage for little or no cost.
2) Provide full Linux compatibility information on all Dell products - not just high end desktops. Ideally, certify products for the top distros - RHET, SLES, Debian, the latest free Fedora, OpenSuSE, Ubuntu if possible. Linux users don't necessarily want a preload - most Linux users are quite capable of installing Linux themselves and would probably install some other Linux distro if one was pre-installed. Preinstallation is only useful to us as an indication that the product is Linux compatible. If a feature is only partially supported by Linux, say so and say what is supported - Linux users will understand, and may not need all the features, or like us they may only want the Linux compatibility for possible future redeployment. If driver support is external (most will be) then provide links pointing to those sites in Dell support, and if you need to make a disclaimer to avoid liability for a third party products outside Dell's control, do so. Again Linux users will understand.
3) Exclude products from the Dell inventory that don't support Linux as far as possible. Generally for every part that is not Linux compatible, there is one that is Linux compatible for the same price.
4) Don't ask customers to pay the Microsoft tax. Linux machines or no-OS machines with zero cost OS and no support should cost significantly less than a Windows pre-loaded machine. Customers know when they are being cheated and don't like it.
5) Linux support (except for driver information) is not usually required (except for servers), only web based information. If the customer needs Linux support, it will probably be from an independent consultant/techie rather than from Dell. Sell your Linux PCs as "Linux OEM - no support" PCs at a significantly lower cost than the equivalent Windows PC.
6) Linux on the desktop is most competitive on the low end desktop - particularly for schools etc. Sell Linux PCs preloaded onto low end desktop computers with appropriate free software for that market, at a competitive price rather than on high end workstations.
Upfront Linux capability would be difficult to implement on our web store. But, check some of the alternatives john_h posted.
10490
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.
500
Not Novell Linux
Linux submitted by derekj61
02/27/07
Novell Linux ?!?!? Don't you get it, we want to have unincumbered Linux on the boxes, Debian, Slackware, Redhat, even Ubuntu or Linspire. Not a Microsoft product. The next thing we know the widget that we develop on our shiney Microsoft/Novell Linux box is owned by Microsoft.
370
Pre-Installed Linux | Ubuntu | Fedora | OpenSUSE | Multi-Boot
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Offer the 3 top free Linux versions for free pre-installation on all Dell PCs.
Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. For example OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC. Cast your vote for OpenOffice and other free software.
Offer easy multi-boot options with Windows Vista, Windows XP, or NO Windows (yes, Linux can entirely replace Windows!)
Offer trade-ins and Linux CDs for older model Dell PCs. Cast your vote for the mini Linux Dell PC and the Universal Education Dell PC, both utilizing free software.
Would you try Linux if it were this easy?
CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
Please take a look at www.dell.com/open for linux options on the Inspiron.
152550
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/17/07
Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)
OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System
Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.
CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
140599
No Extra Software Option
Software submitted by ootleman
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.
Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.
120794
No OS Preloaded
Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by agreer
02/17/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.
Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.
86080
Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
Software submitted by robinjfisher
02/19/07 **REVIEWED**
Does what it says on the tin! Most people only use IE because they aren't aware of other browsers - they think Internet Explorer is the Internet! What would really drive take up of alternative browsers is if Firefox was pre-installed as the default browser so that when people look for the "Internet" in Windows, they are using FF.
Firefox advocates at Dell have initiated discussions and driven action around exploring alternative internet browsers and experiences. As you can tell from our response to the Linux community, open source continues to be a part of our conversations about new products and services.
118093
Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
Linux submitted by gergnz
02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.
84417
 track my votes
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