morningowl

Easier Driver Selection

Dell Web Site, Service and Support submitted by steve.au 07/04/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Not sure about you but whenever I try to download drivers for my D600, I find it tricky choosing the correct driver.

I'd like a couple of things in order of my perception of ease of exectution;
1) Name the drivers in the support downloads section the same as how it appears in Device Manager
2) Have the service tag or serial number perform a lookup to eliminate all drivers for components not in the machine
3) Have a utility to alert me to updated drivers for one of the components. (Yes I've heard of Windows Update but it doesn't work for all components).


Our newly designed support site enables search by service tag/serial numbers. You can also register for an email alert for updated drivers.

20 Comments »

Include KillZone 2 with each new XPS system

Gaming, XPS products submitted by reg 07/11/07

Get Ready:

Killzone 2

On Every DELL XPS! 2 Comments »

IdeaStorm Button FAQ

IdeaStorm submitted by jorge 07/11/07

IdeaStorm needs an FAQ for their functions as in an explanation of what they do or intended to do. If I click the Popular Ideas tab and then go to the last one 424, its not a greatly demoted ides, why? In fact the last one isn't even the most negative idea, there's more negatively voted ideas above it.

Whats up with that? Is there some algorithm for that tab thats incredibly non-linear and nonsensical? Can someone explain or list out the algorithm?

Then Ideas in Action does not list out the ideas from IdeaStorm that are in action, instead we get sent to another Dell site where there is a listing of what happened to the idea but the idea isn't there. If an idea got promoted to "in action" isn't it worthy of being listed as it is? I mean thats what got voted on in the first place not the new text which rambles on.

How about darkening the Search button as well, I can photoshop one for you so it stands out more.

At any rate just an explanation is needed not a whole re-write of the site. 8 Comments »

Shame on you!

Dell, IdeaStorm submitted by megabucks10457 07/11/07

When I first heard about Idea Storm it sounded like a wonderful opportunity for inventors to be able to communicate directly with a well known and reputable company. Alas it is nothing more then a new way for big business to steal ideas from the little guys without paying for them. I would recommend that any individual with an idea or innovation submit it to a patent office, where at least they stand a chance of financial gain. Dell has proven to be no better then Lawrence Peska, a well known idea theft company. Has Dell's deception become so organized that people are actually stupid enough to submit designs without any hope of future profit or recognition? If This is the case, then I think that Dell should send me a top of the line computer with the name and address of the person who designed it, so that my money can be properly channeled. 10 Comments »

Chat support as good as phone support with ability to "transfer"

Service and Support submitted by jaylus12 07/11/07

Every department should have a chat support, and one chat agent should be able to forward you to another chat agent.

I like the online chat because I don't have to make a lot of noise on the phone in the office, I can multitask, and there is a printed "receipt" of the entire conversation when I'm done, however since I don't feel that I'm getting equivalent service on the chat, I generally phone in. Comment »

ELECTRICAL COSERVATION DEVICE FOR BUSINESS & HOME

Dell submitted by mikep 07/11/07

DELL,
I have invented a device that has the function to save electricity to vaious degrees, depending on machine,or appliance being used. I have proven the ability of this device by actual trial. I have tried to apply for a patent, but due to high cost I was not able to pursue. This is a great idea for Production Businesses and for various Home Machines.

If Dell is interested in conversing about this please contact me at the following phone number or E-Mail:

Phone: 201-881-1116

E-Mail: MPECORARO@CRESTFOAM.COM
Sincerely,
Michael Pecoraro Comment »

Dell Operating Systems

Dell, Operating Systems submitted by rethamel07 07/11/07

I Think that they should offer more then just windows vista, maybe some people still want to stick with windows xp instead of upgrading to vista. I don't think they should get the hand in deciding what operationg system they want you to have, you should be able to get the one you want if it's 2000, XP, Vista, or whatever one you want. 3 Comments »

Dual OS systems

New Product Ideas, Operating Systems, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by future_maker 07/11/07

Many of us want to use Linux, but there are many applications that run only on Windows. Do not make us choose, add a swapable OS into the system.

HW way: Harddrives are cheep, on can use swapable HDs with preinstalled OS isntead just repartitioning a single HD. Rememer swappable HD drowers from 10 years ago? Imagine you have several HD drawers with your different system, it is like virtual PC withoud slowdowns and hustle. I could have several Windows and Linux versions and I just need to slide in the right drawer and reboot the machine to switch the OS. The all can use the same NTSF data drive.

SW way: If that is too expensive, then just add a clean partitioning facilties to BIOS so that each partition can be reinstalled without changing the loader. If you can do it so an average Windows user can figure it without a manual or googling, that would increase the value of the system for many of us.

2 Comments »

Dell List the Error Codes from the Dell Diag. CD

Service and Support submitted by jorge 07/08/07

Dell List what the Error Codes from the Dell Diag. CD mean so your customers can identify what it wrong with their systems without having to call and go through at least 2 people to get the meaning of a code. Most phone support techs do NOT have the look up table (call and find out if you don't believe me) even though the manager above them states they do as they read off what the code means, yea I take up to get the answer to this.

7 Comments »

Offer at least one "free upgrade" option for Linux PCs

Linux submitted by seeking_alpha 07/10/07

Vista PCs has a lot of "free upgrade" options and thus some of Ubuntu models cost $225 more than the same model with Vista. Details can be found at http://www.devside.net/blog/dell-ubuntu-lies< we get the same for Ubuntu? By the way who sponsors these free upgrades, Microsoft? 5 Comments »

Make your legal team restrain themselves when they're trying to silence bloggers who are trying to help people buy from Dell.

Dell, Dell Community submitted by jmxz 06/15/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Yesterday Dell sent the following letter to a blog that was giving advice on how to better order from the confusing Dell web site (like clarifying pros and cons of when you should go to the Small Business vs Home Office sections; and when you might do even better going to a Dell Kiosk- which Dell's own web site never makes clear). Rather than a take down notice from Legal, a polite email from Marketing with corrections to the inaccurate parts and specific requests to remove the confidential information would have been:

Better for the Blogger - because he wouldn't feel threatened.
Better for Dell - because the article never would have been so widely publicized (I learned of it only because of the takedown notice).
Better for Dell Customers - because the rest of the non-confidential information in the article could still help them.

- - - - - - - - - -
from Tracy Holland
to ben@consumerist.com
date Jun 14, 2007 4:39 PM
subject Posting by former Dell employee

Dear Ben,

Please remove the posting located at the following

http://consumerist.com/consumer/insiders/22-confessions-of-a-former-dell-sale...< contains information that is confidential and proprietary to Dell.

While not all aspects of the entry are accurate, ostensibly an ex-employee posted Dell's confidential information in violation of his or her employment agreement and confidentiality obligations (which prohibit the disclosure of such information both during and after the period of employment).

We would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Please confirm that the posting has been removed by the end of the day tomorrow.

Thank you, and please give me a call if you would like to discuss further.

Tracy Holland

Tracy J. Holland
Counsel
Dell Inc.
- - - - - - - - - -

While some of the information wasn't correct; the blogger has been continually updating the article fixing inaccuracies as they're pointed out to him. Your legal team also referred to "confidential information" but never specified what was the offending confidential information that should be removed. It's a bit hard to guess what parts of that posting might have been considered confidential; because it seems like just about all the info in the article can be found (just with difficulty) browsing the Dell web site and Kiosks.

Ideas for your legal team:
* For the case of this article - point out the "confidential" information (if there really is any) and I'm confident the blogger will remove that confidential information while keeping the rest of the helpful advice (which helps your customers buy Dells) up there.
* In general - try to restrain yourselves from legal threats on Bloggers. It would probably have been nicer if someone from Dell Marketing asked the person to correct things; and the whole thing would have probably gone away quietly -- instead of being very visible on many high profile places on the internet and on mailing lists now.
We hold ourselves at Dell and all our employees to high ethical standards and believe ex-employees have an obligation to uphold those standards. We live and learn in this new world of blogs and appreciate your suggestion.


31 Comments »

Backlit Keyboards

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rarmasu 02/21/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I find myself many, many times in dark or poorly lit environments having to guess the various keys - would be fantastic to have a backlit keyboard - with backlit individual keys as the best option.

I would actually pay extra for that convenience if the option was available.
This could be done for desktops or notebooks.


Check out the white LED backlights on the <ahref>XPS M1730.
296 Comments »

Move the call centre to a English speaking country

Service and Support submitted by matt_h1 07/03/07

Im sick of ringing support and getting people I can barely understand, who constantly misinterpret what you have asked, A number of big companies in Australia tried the offshore call centers and most went back to Australian ones due to customer backlash. 16 Comments »

Ubuntu/Vista Laptop w/embedded webcam

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Laptops submitted by eode 07/04/07

I don't know if Dell's doing the embedded webcam thing yet, but if they are, it's not available for the Ubuntu laptops (that I've seen). It's a great feature for *any* laptop, whatever the OS. ..but I definitely want both Ubuntu and webcam on my laptop, and system76 provides those -- but I also want to support Dell and their move to support Ubuntu just as much!

..for now, this just delays my laptop purchase, in hopes that Dell's going to put out a laptop with an embedded webcam + Ubuntu..

p.s..
..if this were a congressional bill, it would also include:
Ubuntu Stickers
Stickers Don't Leave Sticky Goo
Charitable Reuse of Old Computers

..however, since this is not a congressional bill and doesn't include subsections that are potentially completely unrelated to the main heading, the above three articles are instead merely referenced and advocated here. :-) 3 Comments »

Smaller rubber feet that don't fall off

Inspiron products submitted by jtrpop 07/02/07

The rubber feet on my Inspiron are big and get snagged when slipping into my computer bag. One has already fallen off. Make them slimmer and less prone to falling off. 24 Comments »

DVI or HDMI out on all laptops models?

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by tommarnk 07/06/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

this would be a big jump, if dell add "DVI out" on all dell laptops, so people can connect to there LCD Displays or LCD HDTVs natively

the picture quality will be grealy improved

this should be easy to do as most of new chipsets has dvi out

not many laptop manufacturers add "dvi out" to there lower end products, so it might be a wise move to do so

all LCD monitors and lcd hdtvs has dvi or hdmi in so it might work well

and meybe remove the old VGA out and put a singel DVI-I, it can be used as analog (VGA) to, by using VGA-to-DVI-I adapter like tose used on

standard computer graphic cards for years now

many people like me connect monitor via dvi or hdmi to get the best picture and color quality



The offerings for the XPS M1730: Dual-link DVI-I (support for 30-inch displays) and HDMI via DVI adapter. Check out all the specs for the new systems.

69 Comments »

Gigabit ethernet throughout

Dell, Simplify IT submitted by boolda 07/09/07

Threre is not point in sticking with old fast ethernet, particularly, when gigabit ethernet is so cheap. Use gigabit ethernet in all your products. 5 Comments »

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 »

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 »

Explain why you made Windows cheaper than Ubuntu again for the same hardware

Linux submitted by jmxz 07/07/07

Dell, you labeled the idea "Implemented: Ubuntu Dell is $50 Less Than Windows Dell" as "Implemented"
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66879/Implemented_Ubuntu_Dell_is_50_Les...< a couple days later you made the Windows machine $275 cheaper than the equivalent Ubuntu machines.

Quoting jsgarvin in the comments on this idea:
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68294/Same_discounts_available_on_Ubunt...

Just did my own 1420 vs 1420N comparison. The Windows machine comes with a free upgrade to 2GB Memory and 160GB Drive, which each cost more on the Ubuntu machine. Apparently, it's harder to install memory and hard drives on Linux??? Hmmm.. no, not that I recall. Anyway, with all the same options selected between the two machines, the Ubuntu Tax apparently is now running $275.
Just wait, it' won't be long before Dell pulls all the Ubuntu machines off the shelf and claims (again) that there's no market for Linux on home machines. Gee, wiz. I wonder why that is.

Now I know Ubuntu's a better OS; but c'mon - even I wouldn't pay a $275 premium for Ubuntu over Windows.

Or are you trying to kill the Ubuntu sales - and if so, just come out and say that? 14 Comments »