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Make Linux boxes easily flaggable if Windows later installed

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by jmecc 03/20/07

Make sure that Linux machines (& no-operating system machines) have easily-differentiable serial numbers and mac addresses such that microsoft can be suspicious of any of these machines using windows.

Pirates want machines without windows to be able to provide their own pirated windows and save the money. A good deal of the legal copies home users have are due to OEM's like dell including it in systems, so allowing an easy bypass to this is a bad idea.

Anyone petitioning for linux instead of windows won't mind as they won't be trying to install windows right?

Deciding against linux and to windows later would be fine as MS would authenticate your code like usual, it would just be a red flag to them to make sure you aren't using a volume key or to ask a few more questions during phone authentication. This would add another layer of work and uncertainty for pirates. 17 Comments »

Open Source, Debian

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by gplgeek 02/20/07

We really need a option to not ship any OS with the system, or be able to choose Debian pre-installed.

All systems should have NATIVE and preferably open drivers where possible. For example, wifi drivers should be open, or provided by the kernel. Kernel.org offers to code drivers free if given specs by companies so there is no reason we should not have a stable and compatible system.

Most of my friends are moving to linux for gaming, as I have, but I do admit that I use other os's from time to time to play legacy games... For this reason maybe you should have checkboxes so that people can select the os's that they want.

I'm sure they would be satisfied with a install cd, or even netboot image, in fact you could put many net-boot installers on a multi-boot dvd and in one disk easily allow the installation of debian, debian testing (etch), Fedora, OpenSuse, Ubuntu, Freedos, Reactos, FreeBSD, DragonFly BSD, etc.

I am not opposed to offering Microsoft products to users but having any OS be a default OS, or exclusively ship with a PC, screams anti-trade to me. Comment »

Let customers choose what trialware/demoware to pre-install to subsidize their machine.

Sales Strategies, Software submitted by jmxz 04/19/07

Many people understandably complain about third party software on Dells (it's one of the top rated items on ideastorm).

Many people also respond by defending this software pointing out that it subsidizes the cost of the machines.

And perhaps show it in a "optional trial / reduced functionality software" section like this:

on your purchase pages.

That would give people who don't want the hassle of the third party windows software ways to avoid it; and it would give power users who don't mind it and know how to uninstall/avoid it the benefit of the cheaper subsidized machine.

Personally I would get them all -- yes, including Norton and Macafee and any other antivirus programs - because the first thing I'd do is remove Windows from the machine anyway. But it would be interesting to see if I can get a machine sufficiently cheaper that my savings would offset the time it would take to install Linux vs the presumably higher cost of buying a less subsidized pre-installed Linux machine. 9 Comments »

Linux VMware host OS with many guests pre-loaded!

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by directorblue 02/23/07

Building on the Linux option, it would be great to have a set of popular VMware player images preloaded, giving uses the option to experiment with Ubuntu, Fedora, DSL, etc. (yes, even Windows XP if there's a way to license it appropriately). What a great menu of products for users to choose from!

1 Comment »

Linux Hardware Compatibility List

Linux, Service and Support submitted by philip 02/22/07

Provide a List of all your Hardware and the Support of the most popular Linux Distros like Fedora, Ubuntu, SuSE, Debian for it. Mark the Hardware Items as Supported, Supportet with extra Driver, Not Supportet 1 Comment »

Dell should stop lying about preinstalled Linux

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by beer28 02/25/07

Linux has been an option for corporate machines for 7 years now. NOTHING HAS changed. Quit lying Dell. The requests were for pre-installed openSuSE, Ubuntu and Fedora Core on Inspirons and other retail grade machines, not bulk purchased corporate class computers. We are not idiots and we can read through the lies.

I will never purchase from Dell again. If not for anything else, because they insult their own customers' intelligence.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/ideastorm/ideasinaction?c=us&l...

"Pre-Installed Linux Options
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." 11 Comments »

Add Mandriva to the list

Linux submitted by lostinspace 02/21/07

I have just gone through the process of trying several different linux distros as the main OS on a new OS-free PC I bought (not from Dell, obviously). I went through the latest Fedora to OpenSuse to Ubuntu, and finally tried Mandriva One, as well as Mandriva Free. Both the Mandriva versions were the least problematic and most flexible of the bunch, so You should add Mandriva to your list. PLEASE. PLEASE, PLEASE.

The others are okay, but the fits and finishes on Mandriva are the best I've seen. One simple example involves fonts. As a graphic artist, webmaster and editor, that has been the worst of part of trying out Linux. But in Mandriva, installing a font is a breeze, primarily because it automatically links the fonts with the big apps that will use them. With other distros I've tried, you're pretty much on your own. You can install a nice font in Suse, and then God help you trying to figure out how to use it in something like Openoffice.

That said, you should also talk to Warren Woodford, who does Mepis. It was the first I used, and is second best behind Mandriva, in my opinion. 21 Comments »

Pre-install Linux with option of licensed codecs

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

Provide customers with the option to have Linux pre-installed as an alterrnative to Windows when purchasing a PC or laptop. As there are a huge number of Linux distributions available it might be sensible to offer from a few of the most popular ones e.g. Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Fedora which can be freely distributed at no cost. This would provide a competitive advantage as with zero licensing fees lower prices could be offered to customers.

Because of patent laws in some countries many freely downloadable Linux distributions do not provide certain 'essential' software such as decoders for commercial DVDs and other comon media formats as part of their core distribution. There is at least one company (whose name escapes me for now) that allows a user to purchase a bundle of licensed media codecs that can be legally installed on Linux in most, if not all jurisdictions. Offering somehing like this as an option at purchase would make it possible for users to access common media content without having to jump through hoops or risk straying onto the wrong side of the law.

9 Comments »

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.

1829 Comments »

Alternative OS

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by thehookersunion 03/10/07

There are many PC (x86 arcitechure) users who want to use other OS's such as OpenSolaris (Which I use, when I have to use a PC, I'm writing this on a Mac), Ubuntu/Kbuntu/Xbuntu, or ReactOS.
Surely if a system is sold without MS Windoze the price would be lower due to MiicroSoft's stupid licencing policies.
A DVD/CD's could be supplied with systems that contains various flavours of Linux/Unix and MS Windoze could be offerd as an optional extra... 2 Comments »

ReactOS Development

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by poiema 05/13/07

Although I probably wouldn't offer ReactOS as an installed or even installable opton for Dell at this time, Dell would probably benefit within the Open Source community if they put their support behind the ReactOS project. The code has been found to be clean of MS proprietary code, and yet the system is very much on its way to being MS compatible. Dell does not need to provide ReactOS anything more than visibility and possible drivers for their hardware. With more visibility many disgruntled MS developers may find a new home with ReactOS. And hopefully ReactOS can develop the best open source support community around. Once the project and community have matured to a point of supporting more wide spread distribution then Dell would be prime for offering them as an install option for MS users looking for a 'free' change. (Free of so much bloat.) 4 Comments »

ReactOS

Operating Systems submitted by fireball 03/07/07

There have been a number of ideas for offerings computers with some flavour of Linux preinstalled, and that's great. But, there are customers, who would still want to have benefits of Windows (still the majority of software applications are targeted at Win32 API and .NET Framework, not to speak about drivers for various consumer devices).

Would DELL be interested in supporting a project aimed at creating a compatible implementation of Windows (the same architecture, API and ABI), but under a GPL license?

This would sound crazy if it's to be done from scratch, but we already spent quite some time for development and even came up with a few releases (they are more like proof of concept, not usable at the moment for preinstalling on PCs).
If you like to read more - http://www.reactos.org

Thanks. 120 Comments »

(FREE) Reactos OS an alternative to XP compatibility

Operating Systems submitted by shaktia61 05/02/07

Reactos is still in Alpha development, but instead of picking Linux, I would rather have an XP compatible operating system. 3 Comments »

Dont eliminate XP just yet

Operating Systems submitted by javaprog07 02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Ok, well I know I may be chastised for bringing this up, but vista is still a young operating system with its own problems etc... I would like to see both Home and Business computers, especially notebooks have an XP Home and Pro option on top of Vista until it has at least been out for a year. For those seasoned users like me who just feel that you need to let a new OS mature before jumping right in. I am planning on buying a new notebook, and I would like to insure I wont have to format it on arrival just to have XP.
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about Dell offering XP.




209 Comments »

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.

460 Comments »

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.




186 Comments »

Student Discounts!

Education, Sales Strategies submitted by cnmopt 02/18/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**

Similar to Apple, Dell should offer students a special discount on Dell Products. The Apple market share is currently growing in the education sector and offering [college] students a discount would be useful to counter Apple's strategy. 42 Comments »

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.


591 Comments »