Develop an exclusive Linux only notebook specifically optimized for Linux.
Advertising and Marketing, Linux, Laptops submitted by benjesuit
08/05/07
Fact: Most who switch over to Linux, do not switch back to MSFT.
That said, why not design a Linux only, high performance, customizeable, upgradeable, Linux optimized notebook.
1. Windows key is a the TUX penguin.
2. Only hardware which supports the open source community is used.
3. All hardware is modular. (Harddrives, optical drives, socketed chipsets, socketed wifi mini PCI, etc.)
4. Upgradeable Bios with socketed bios chip.
5. Comes preinstalled with exclusive to the system, optimzed open source software.
6 State of the art design. Cutting edge features. Similiar to the XPS 1330. But far from the Inspirons.
Gather feature request information from the Linux community to tweak this optimally. Take the first step towards exclusive Linux products in order to commercialize Linux on the desktop/notebook realm.
Above all, ADVERTIZE this system.
And advertise comparitive performance vitals as compared to a similiarly equipted MSFT machine and MAC.
Have a Dell repostiory of both optimized and community based open source software. And have a store where for a fee, customers can order customized media loaded with their software of choice. Important since not everyone has broadband to download software from the repository.
Turn Linux into a MAC-like experience of exclusivity, chicness, and wow, by attaching Linux to exclusively Linux hardware.
590
Dell: join in! Offer a low-cost Linux PC!
Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by phubert
Apr 2
It appears Dell remains afraid of Microsoft... and here is an answer we haven't heard from Dell on IdeaStorm:
"The top PC makers have so far treaded carefully. Dell's website sells Ubuntu computers in a separate section for open-source PCs, out of direct comparison with Windows machines. Dell spokeswoman Anne Camden said the placement reflects the fact that Linux is still not a mainstream consumer product."
From the USA Today article:
Burst of low-end PCs could boost Linux
"Business computing suppliers are finding open-source desktops especially gaining traction in cost-conscious developing markets. For example, IBM and Linux vendor Red Hat recently launched Microsoft-free desktops for Eastern Europe.
One buyer is Aleksandar Spagnut, a director of Moscow-based Rushotel, which needed new desktop PCs for a hotel-building project. Spagnut said his company saved 30 to 35% over comparable Windows machines. He added that Linux PCs are now common enough that a snowball effect is emerging, whereby technical support and "drivers" — which essentially tell programs how to interact with hardware — are much easier to find." ****
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/software/2008-04-01-cheap-pc-linux_N.ht...
2340
Ubuntu laptop price for 1525N
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by cpo
Apr 25
Similarly equipped laptops - one with MS Vista, and the other with Ubuntu: Inspiron 1525 vs. Inspiron 1525N. The only difference is the wireless card. Please tell me why the Ubuntu version is $110 more. (Canada). I don't want to subsidize the sales of Microsoft machines when buying a machine with open-source software.
pricing done online April 25, 2008
no coupons used.
Inspiron 1525
--------------------------------------
Now $788
Processor:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic Edition
LCD Panel:
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
Integrated Webcam:
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Memory:
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Hard Drive:
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Video Card:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Optical Drive:
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Cards:
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card
Bluetooth Option:
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate) Primary Battery:
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Sound Card:
High Definition Audio 2.0
Inspiron 1525N
------------------------------------
Starting From $898
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache) Operating System:
Ubuntu Linux version 7.10 with DVD Playback
LCD Panel:
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
Camera:
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Memory:
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Hard Drive:
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Video Card:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Combo or DVD+RW Drive:
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Network:
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Wireless Networking Cards:
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Bluetooth Option:
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate) Battery Options:
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Sound Card:
High Definition Audio 2.0
280
Dell: expand IdeaStorm & other Dell web sites' participation
Dell Community, Dell Web Site, IdeaStorm submitted by phubert
07/30/07
Include an invitation to IdeaStorm with every system sold!
do one (or all) the following:
* include a sheet with each system sold identifying ALL customer-related Dell web site url's and their purpose (and value to the customer)
* do the same with a purchase follow-up email
* put an "intro to Dell" item on the machine's desktop (with a 'delete this forever' button so those obsessed with clutter would also be satisfied)
**
Dell should provide links to all pertinent Dell sites with every system sold.
IF any Dell desktop software is pre-installed, include the URL's there.
Direct2Dell
StudioDell
DELLforums
IdeaStorm
Dell support
Explain each site and its value to customers!
120
Rename IdeaStorm FarceStorm - or stop making a mockery of how you respond to (and ignore) ideas.
IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz
08/28/07
Quoting a long-time IdeaStorm users's comments on a different Idea - user jorge summarized my biggest frustration with IdeaStormAll Ideas that have been supposedly implemented have only been implemented in their weird spun way, never has the implementation been true to the idea. That alone tells you this is FarceStorm. To new users that might seem like just an inflammatory rant - but look closely at Dell's actions and you'll see it's not an exaggeration at all.
They marked No OS as "already offered" - despite it being only offered on a few (mostly obsolete) models (like the Latitude D620 when the D630's been out for a long time now) and in a few regions --- and obviously it's not considered "already offered" by users on the models they want because it keeps getting re-posted no matter how often the re-merge it. They marked Linux as completed before they even released it in the US - and pretty much stopped moving on it even though it's only available on a few models in a few countries. The marked XP as "Implemented" even though it's only available on a few (mostly obsolete) models in a few countries. They marked "Same Discounts available for Windows and Linux" as "implemented" when in most countries they still offer Windows for cheaper than Linux and Windows seems cheaper on many models in the US on most days as well. They marked "No Extra Software Option" as "partially implemented" when they re-defined "no extra software" to allow exceptions for some of the software (anti-virus and google toolbars) that were most strongly opposed by the IdeaStorm posters -- and even so it's only available on a few models.
While jorge's quote and this subject's title appear to be exaggerated and/or jokes at first glance - look at Dell's actions and if there's any spin it's that FarceStorm might be too kind a term to use.
Dell - please stay focused on the highest-voted ideas, though. Don't distract yourselves with this Idea until you've addressed the top-rated ideas which have been the top-ranked ideas for at least 6 months without adequate responses.
250
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.
580
Promote Windows Home Server Bigtime
Servers and Storage submitted by gcreese
02/17/07
Microsoft is coming out with Windows Home Server this year, which will allow households to backup and manage their house PCs from a single spot. At this point, a lot of households are in this situation (e.g., with two adults and a child, we have three laptops, a desktop, and three PDAs). Get out in front of the curve on this one (HP made its announcement at the CES Show), talk about it, promote the fact that you will offer it, and in the vein of the other "make the website easier to use" suggestions, explain how Windows Home Server is something to consider for a family going digital.
Also, offer a Windows Home Server discount to current customers who've ordered two or more PCs from Dell in the past five years. You have the data to run an effective, targeted marketing campaign. Use it!
1827
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.
85150
Goal: Dell FREEDOM Box - A Fully Open System for Home Users by 2010
Dell, Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dpic
11/29/07
Set a goal of having at least one fully open system for home users by the end of 2010! This would be Dell's greatest endeavor yet!
The Dell FREEDOM Box | From the software, all the way down to the hardware, a completely open system
Software:
* A fully open source operating system with no restricted software like Gobuntu.
Hardware:
* All hardware must follow these rules--
1. The interface to the hardware must be explicitly made public, so the hardware can be used freely.
2. The design of the hardware must be made public, so that others can implement it and learn from it.
3. The tools used to create the design should be free, so that others can develop and improve the design.
This movement is already making headway and progress will continue to increase. Dell is already getting involved--
It has been stated that Dell has a goal to have open Linux drivers for all Dell products. Dell, keep the pressure on your vendors to open up!
Support OpenBIOS and Open Firmware!
"Among its features, Open Firmware provides an instruction set independent device interface. This can be used to boot the operating system from expansion cards without native initialization code.
It is Open Firmware's goal to work on all common platforms, like x86, AMD64, PowerPC, ARM and Mips. With its flexible and modular design, Open Firmware targets servers, workstations and embedded systems, where a sane and unified firmware is a crucial design goal and reduces porting efforts noticeably."
- http://www.openbios.org/
Already, there is huge support for replacing proprietary BIOS
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62549/LinuxBIOS_instead_of_proprietary_...
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/74358/Dell_Support_Open_BIOSes_for_Linux
And there is the Open Graphics Project
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72320/Help_The_Open_Graphics_Project<
This project would put Dell at the heart of the movement bringing Freedom, Reliability, and Innovation to the world of technology! Does one really need to ask why this would be better than proprietary technology?
1720
Identify Hardware with native Linux support
Linux submitted by waterguy1960
12/07/07
Please identify hardware choices that offer native linux support in the "build yours" options. And provide hardware choices that allow for a configuration that is entirely compatible with linux. This would be much more convenient that a list of linux supported hardware somewhere else on the website. If a computer model cannot be configured with native linux support, say so on the "build yours" page. I don't need or want Dell to install Ubuntu (or any other linux distribution) on a computer for me ... I just need to know that the computer I'm buying supports linux natively. The notebook computer my employer provided me works perfectly with linux. Unfortunately, despite much research before my purchase, not all the hardware on my Dell notebook provides native linux support.
710
Ubuntu Dell Repo
Linux, Service and Support submitted by tekhawk
07/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
basicly a simple idea dell to support the ubuntu community a little bit by running a repo for its laptops and desktop if nothing more to support the software that they install on the system and to provide driver updates theses repos should be setup on the machines before shipping so that the users can get the driver updates quick and easy and offer driver on there for all the drivers that there are for dell machines that are support on linux not just the shipping lines
so that user might find that other machines then the ones you ship with ubuntu can easly be made into power ubuntu operating machines
As matt_d has said below, we have repositories for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, and a growing one for Ubuntu. Check it out here http://linux.dell.com.
7450
Start offering DELL products to the general public in Poland
Dell, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by lukasz.wisniewski
11/12/07
According to today's local newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza [1], by 20th November, 11:30 to be more exact, Dell will just have manufactured their first notebook in Lodz, Poland. Unfortunately, even though I am inhabitant of this city, it is more than unlikely I will buy DELL notebook anytime soon.
Firstly, the current policy of your company in Poland is "Only for enterprises and institutions" (original in Polish: Tylko dla firm i instytucji). Such a approach seems to me to be more than just bizarre. Do you happen to realize Poland is something like 38 milions of your potential customers? Just for instance, in my city, there are two big public universities, several private ones - you see the universities but not the students. Is this of your concern? I guess not but Apple is already there offering discounts for students.
Secondly, start distributing preinstalled Ubuntu for Poland as well. I actually do not see the point why you do this in UK, Germany or France and not in Poland. People of Poland are more eager to install open-source products, just let me remind you that according to XiTi monitor [2] open-source Firefox browser has market share of 39.6% in Poland, whereas in Germany - 38%, France - 23.9% and UK just 18.7%.
Thirdly, by preinstalling Ubuntu I mean making it an option anywhere where there is an OS selection option on your website. I clearly see no reason in the world why you keep offering such a miserable Ubuntu notebook in Europe instead of something more powerful - Inspiron 6400n with Intel T2130 processor. In your opinion, how impressive is that nowadays?
Last but not least, DELL, please stop participating in this devoid of good sense campaign "Dell recommends Vista..." which is sarcastic. You really do not have to put down this sentence on your website as in Poland you force people to use Vista leaving no other choice.
Take all these remarks under your consideration unless it is OK with you that Poles should travel to Germany in order to buy your notebooks. Hear our voice, DELL!
Signed,
Lukasz Wisniewski
student of the Computer Science
Technical University of Lodz
Links:
[1] http://miasta.gazeta.pl/lodz/1,35136,4662983.html
[2] http://www.xitimonitor.com/en-us/browsers-barometer/firefox-july-2007/index-1...
4090
Donations for Ubuntu development
Linux submitted by dave-2
11/27/07
If Dell ever implements the idea (and this, and this, and this, etc) allowing users to select Ubuntu from a list of OS options instead of going to another section of the website to order a special "N" series model, the Ubuntu option should cost less than the Windows options.
In addition to the OS configuration buttons, offer two buttons that allow the user to contribute that savings back toward Ubuntu development:
o Donate $0 to Ubuntu (default)
o Donate $25 to Ubuntu (split the savings)
o Donate $50 to Ubuntu (donate the full amount saved)
The amount of the full donation should reflect the cost of the least expensive version of Windows (e.g. Genuine Windows(r) Vista Home Premium) .
440
Show power costs
Dell Web Site, Environment submitted by fleser
10/17/07
Since power costs are a significant part of total cost of ownership it would be helpful to see the power consumption of selected items in the shop.
Maybe you could also show the consequences of additional Memory, higher display resolution and different user styles (gaming, internet, fulltime office work, etc.) and provide a total power cost projection.
770
Put Ubuntu on a laptop with better specs
Inspiron products, Linux submitted by piratehead
10/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Offer an Ubuntu laptop (Inspirion or otherwise) with available discreet graphics, discreet audio, 8GB or more of RAM, a quad-core processor, bluetooth, next-gen WiFi, and integrated webcam.
I don't know how many of those are possible at this point, but each one is a step forward for people who are waiting on certain specs to bite on a Dell laptop.
Now that you offer laptops with Ubuntu on them, I really don't want to go to another company just to get the computer specs I want. I wish to vote for Dell with my dollars, paying for a laptop that has actually been tested and certified by the manufacturer to run Ubuntu. Please give me the opportunity!
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about our Ubuntu offerings.
6220
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