STEVE HARVEY ON HAVING BIG IDEAS
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1240

BOYCOTT VISTA!

Operating Systems submitted by reg 03/21/07

Dell Dudes,

Microsoft reserves the right to spy on your computer.

The more you learn how Microsoft EULA has the right to enter your computer, check out what software you are using, and also use the DRM tools in Vista to prevent you from seeing files, data, videos, or hearing 'unauthorized' music files - the more you get a sick, sinking feeling in your gut that someone else has taken control of your machine.

US Federal Government Agencies have BANNED Microsoft Vista, and for good reason.

The Microsoft EULA takes control of your machine, stating directly: "this agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights." Even potentially deleting files or disabling programs.

Compared to the costs of Apple OS X or any Linux Distribution,

The Costs of Windows Vista are Unacceptable.

Keep in mind that Microsoft was convicted by U.S. Courts for its criminal behavior, and is being forced to pay $4 million A Day by the European Union for being in violation of their judgments.

Anti-freedom Vista takes away your rights - do you want to Confirm or Deny?

BOYCOTT WINDOWS VISTA MACHINES!

If you support Linux, freedom, democracy, or just want to keep control of Your own machine that You buy with Your own money, PROMOTE this idea now.

Microsoft - Where in the world did you think you were going to go today?

Let Dell know - You Don't Want Windows Vista. 818 Comments »

60

Offer the Dvorak Keyboard

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by badblood 04/11/07

The Dvorak keyboard is an ergonomic alternative to the layout commonly found on typewriters and computers known as "Qwerty". The Qwerty keyboard was designed in the 1870s to accommodate the slow mechanical movement of early typewriters. When it was designed, touch typing literally hadn't even been thought of yet! It's hardly an efficient design for today's use. By contrast, the Dvorak (pronounced "duh-VOR-ack", not like the Czech composer!) keyboard was designed with emphasis on typist comfort, high productivity and ease of learning -- it's much easier to learn! There were several variations in the Dvorak's design in its first few decades, but these were settled when the American National Standards Institute approved a standard for the layout of the Dvorak in 1982. The diagram above shows the standard layout as adapted for PC use. 12 Comments »

3720

Switch to New Lithium-Sulfur batteries: Carries a longer charge, double the lifetime, Environmentally friendly, no toxic heavy metals, cheaper to produce, lighter weight

Environment, Laptop Power submitted by reg 06/10/07

Recharge Lithium-Sulfur over and over again. Sulfur is cheaper than heavy metals, and friendly to the environment. No toxic metals, and also better performing in colder temperatures. Lithium-Sulfur batteries also weigh less than Lithium Ion batteries.

More Power, Lower Costs, Safer for the environment, Easier to carry:

Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.



We Need A New Source of Power! MORE POWER! 13 Comments »

830

Sell preinstall Linux in Norway

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by oleandre 07/24/07

The best ide, is to sell preinstall linux in Norway. And that you develope and pressure your hardware vendors to produce linux compatible hardware and pressure them to produce linux drivers.

Many people just use their PC just to brows the web, read/write email, produce some documents and print them. Please, support a new and userfriendly operatingsystem. 3 Comments »

480

Make user guide OS-independent

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by iv2101 07/29/07

It's great to have all documentation available online. Thanks, Dell!
However, for some obscure reason the guide for inspiron 1420 makes references only to windows. WHY? Either explain for all OS's or don't give specifics for any. Dell currently ships inspiron 1420 with Ubuntu, too, so giving directions for that OS is a must.

STOP GIVING PREFERENCE TO ONE OS!!! 2 Comments »

2170

All operating systems on all platforms!

Operating Systems submitted by markvs624 07/09/07

Do just what the title says: offer all operating systems on all platforms with full support. Don't restrict Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Unbuntu to certain models.

Make the base price for all base operating systems the same: XP Home = Vista Home Basic = Unbuntu. No discounts at the entry level. No $50 cheaper for Unbuntu. No $50 more for Vista.

Give no incentive either way The same customers who buy XP Pro and Vista Ultimate now will still buy those versions in the future. LET THE CUSTOMER DECIDE. 48 Comments »

1060

Dell Provide More Detailed Pictures of Your Products

Dell Web Site submitted by jorge 07/20/07

(old title :Dell Include a view of the Bottom of your Laptops!)

Dell you need to provide more detailed pictures of your products, yes you have the 360 viewer but it does not shoe the bottom of those systems. More importantly the bottom of the laptops we won't buy till we know there are no holes on the bottom and we can't currently see. Also, even though the bottom of your desktops are not pretty it does matter to some customers what it looks like to determine some physical installation parameters. 15 Comments »

2260

http://www.dell.com/open shouldn't steer people towards Windows

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by limulus 08/02/07



If I want to look at the open source offerings on Dell's site, there's a nice short URL that redirects to the appropriate page: http://www.dell.com/open

However, some of the wording on the page sounds like it was written to DISCOURAGE people from buying those systems and steer them towards Windows; an excerpt:

---
Not sure Open Source is for You?

The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don’t get a Windows® operating system. If you’re here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link.

Shop Dell PCs with Windows
---

To make the page better:

* remove the "Not sure Open Source is for You?" and "Already an Open Source fan?" sections or change them to something like this:

---
New to Open Source?

A very important thing for people familiar with Microsoft Windows® but new to open source to note before buying is that it is an alternative to Windows®, not a cheap version of Windows®. Programs specifically designed to run on Windows® will NOT run by default on Dell's open source systems. If you want to run programs such as "Microsoft Office® 2007", "Adobe Photoshop® CS3", "iTunes® 7.3" and "The Sims® 2" you're in the wrong place! (Dell's Windows® systems may be found here.)

If you already knew that or are ok with it, please continue shopping below...
---

* if its to be kept, move the "You asked, we listened." part down into the Ubuntu description, but get rid of the "advanced users and tech enthusiasts" mention; installing an OS (regardless of the OS) is usually the most difficult step (and one not done by 'average users') but Dell has done all the hard work (most notably by selecting compatible hardware) and after that Ubuntu is really not that hard to use :)

* in the "What Is Open Source?" section, the following sentence needs work: "A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use, and in the case of operating systems, may not be compatible with the same software applications and hardware as Windows operating systems."

What is the reference for "advanced knowledge to use"? Are we talking about the command line? Ubuntu can be used without ever seeing it. Perhaps consider striking that. The real meat of the issue, of course, is that Windows embraces proprietary things and its an uphill battle to try to support them in an open OS. Perhaps use the following:

"A downside is that consumer software applications and hardware choices which are compatible with the proprietary Windows operating system may not work in an open source environment or may require significant tweaking to make them work."

(for software, the tweaking is a reference to Wine... for the hardware, we can hope for support in future Ubuntu versions ;) 42 Comments »

12520

Recycle & refurbish old Dell PCs back to Dell for 10% discount

Environment submitted by reg 05/18/07

Recycle your old Dell back to Dell for a 10% discount on new equipment. Dell can then secure overwrite erase the hard drive, install Ubuntu + hardware drivers, then donate the hardware to unemployment, food stamp, and welfare offices Nationwide. The social services offices then can pass out the refurbished used equipment to its clients, and Dell can be given BIG tax breaks by the State and Federal Systems.



1. Recycle - Turn it in, don't landfill it.
2. Reuse - There is still life left in that old hardware
3. Reduce - Buy new electronics less often, get 5 years use out of every PC.
4. Refuse - wasteful spending, wasteful practices & wasteful companies.
5. Refute - Once wasteful practices or procedures are identified, correct the problem with Action! 58 Comments »

11320

Ubuntu on all models where it works

Linux, Operating Systems, Small Business submitted by jonsmirl 08/01/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I'm still throwing away copies of Windows. Recently I have ordered some Dimension 9200s from Small Business. All of these machines are running Ubuntu today without problem. They're being used to replace some PE400SCs that are starting to die. A 2GB quad core for $649 was too good a deal to pass up. It makes a great small server.

Please offer Ubuntu as a choice on all configurations where it works. I would have still paid $649 for the box and you could have kept the money you're sending to Microsoft.
We continue to explore different Linux opportunities on our systems. Check out daniel_j's comment below.




40 Comments »

1970

All possible options should be available via the website

Dell Web Site submitted by steve0073 07/27/07

On the Dell website, many options are not available. But they are available when ordering by phone. For example, the Inspiron 1720 can't be configured with an 7200rpm harddrive, but it can be ordered with such harddrives by phone (yes, I asked).

Now, this is what I don't get:
Every person who wasn't asleep during the last 20 years can tell you that taking orders by phone is much, much more expensive for a company than taking orders via a website. Orders by phone take time, use up expensive human resources. You maybe need to hire more people for this, and the already hired ones are stressed out and don't have the time for real special cases where they would be really needed. And they maybe even forget to call you back because they're just too busy (yes, happened to me twice now).
That adds up to more costs and bad customer service.
If you would allow configuring everything on the website, you would have a lot less people calling your customer service.

So please Dell, provide all the possible options directly on the website so we can order what we want/need much easier and with less stress, and less cost for you. 5 Comments »

2430

Help The Open Graphics Project

Gaming, Linux submitted by dpic 07/27/07

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Graphics_Project
http://www.opengraphics.org/

The Open Graphics Project (OGP) is developing graphics cards with fully published specs and open source drivers. 20 Comments »

13650

Downloadable, PDF format, full technical specs for all systems

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site submitted by benjesuit 06/12/07 **REVIEWED**

Before I buy, I would like to have the options of downloading the full technical specifications of the system. Not just the brief specifications. Place a link under "tech specs" tab that allows you to view or download the full specification PDF file for those of us who care about and understand such things. This way everyone is satisfied.
We are looking to improve the specs pages by making them consistent across all product lines, provide more in-depth specifications and making them available in a printable format.





35 Comments »

11060

Make the dell ubuntu models available through the main webpage

Dell Web Site, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by rajeevbhatta 06/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Instead of having the model listings on a different webpage ( www.dell.com/open) have these models available from the product search you have on the main page or a link available through the main page (www.dell.com)

When I go to dell.com and I search for the product model numbers I never can find them I have to go to the other page and then I see it. The only thing I saw on the main page is a small flash ad which then takes you to the page.

Why cant you place these models with the other models on your page.........





30 Comments »

8900

Add all the OS's you sell to the "Help Me Choose: Operating System" page

Dell Web Site, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by jmxz 06/08/07

These pages: titled "Help Me Choose: Operating System" (a Dell help me choose page,another one)
only list some of the operating systems Dell sells.

I assume you also recommend Ubuntu for some home users (those who want better security and performance, I imagine) and FreeDOS for business (since that's what you sell on your Latitudes - even though I can't imagine why you prefer FreeDOS there over Ubuntu). But unless you put them in those pages, we can't easily make an informed choice. 15 Comments »

7380

Make Dell Ubuntu PCs available to businesses and non-profits

Linux, Sales Strategies, Small Business submitted by wyleyr 06/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Dell is apparently not yet willing to sell Ubuntu-based PCs to business users, non-profits, or other organizations larger than a "home office." See this Ubuntu forum thread for more:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=478975

If Dell is serious about offering "choice" to consumers -- the main reason that they're offering up Ubuntu -- they ought to offer it to all their customers, including commercial and non-profit organizations.

Perhaps the greatest barrier here is that these other customers often require different support contracts than home users. It wouldn't be necessary to offer the same support options to organizations that purchase Ubuntu PCs as are offered to home users, or to organizations that purchase Windows PCs. (Perhaps Dell doesn't need to offer any support at all, except for hardware; as long as Canonical can support these organizations.) But they ought to at least have the option of buying the boxes, even if they have to get support in a different way.











15 Comments »

9230

Visible Link to IdeaStorm on main Dell site

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, IdeaStorm submitted by ipaw 07/01/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

IdeaStorm should have a visible link and explanation on the main Dell site as well as a Desktop shortcut on all new installations.

I've been a Dell customer since my XPS-500 back in the mid 90's and I only just found out about IdeaStorm through a PodCast.

If people know they can have a voice and make a difference, they'll use it.

Thanks


This idea has been partially implemented, as our new home page now has a prominent link to "Dell Community" - within that page are links to IdeaStorm and our other community properties, including Dell Community Forums, Direct2Dell, StudioDell, etc. Thanks for the idea!!!
34 Comments »

7070

ubuntu on my computer: open source for education

Education, Linux submitted by raymako 03/23/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

I am a french teacher working in the south of France .The school's computers are Dell and Nec computers.
Like most of my colleagues, I am using "opensource" (free) softwares, and specially Ubuntu for 2 years.
It works perfectly and the pupils who tried Ubuntu like it very much. I hope it will be possible to buy a Dell computer without Windows very soon and I hope that all the Dell computers of my school will use Ubuntu.
Not only because Ubuntu is free (even if it's not insignificant in a french school...) , but because working with Ubuntu forces you to understand and to think how and why you are using your (Dell) computer.
I know that I'm speaking and writing english language like a spanish cow, so I'm sorry.
I just want to finish my message with this: please be the first big computer manufacturer offering Ubuntu or Windows (which is very performant, but not the only one and specially at school) .





138 Comments »

2380

TheOpenCD.org should be an option for any Dell OS, regardless if Windows or Ubuntu

Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jorge 05/26/07



Dell should offer the TheOpenCD.org CD as an option for customers to select when configuring their purchase. Again, irrelevant of Windows or Ubuntu. TheOpenCD offers the following Software Suites for Free and without the usual Bloatware that irritates customers:

Design - Blender, GNU Image Manipulation Program, Inkscape, NVU, Scribus, Tux Paint.

Games - Battle for Wesnoth, Enigma, Neverball, Sokoban YASC.

Internet - Azureus, FileZilla, Firefox, Gaim, HTTrack, RSSOwl, Thunderbird, TightVNC, WinSCP.

Multimedia - Audacity, Celestia, Really Slick Screensavers, Stellarium.

Productivity - MoinMoin, OpenOffice.org, PDFCreator, Notepad2.

Utilities - 7-zip, Abakt, Clamwin, GTK+, HealthMonitor, Workrave.



Due to an unpredictable change I alter my idea to !

TheOpenDisc.com CD should be given out if TheOpenCD.org is not complete enough for you! Its pretty much the same thing, opensource software for the price of Free yet many more apps! So a win win for all! Yeay!

TheOpenDisc

34 Comments »

620

Use Less Packaging Materials than Any Other Company

Environment submitted by jerseyshore 06/05/07 **REVIEWED**

It may not be as exciting, but become the leader in using less packaging for every purchase made....less cardboard.....better packing.....and more


We have made huge strides in reducing the amount of packaging we send out with our products. For more details from todd_d, click here.




7 Comments »



Rss track my votes