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Making IdeaStorm Even Better!

IdeaStorm submitted by pmdigangi May 4 **REVIEWED**

Here are a few ideas that Dell should consider to create a better, more effective IdeaStorm Community!

1.) Define a clear process that defines for users how to identify and describe their ideas!

Provide users with templates and help guides for submitting their ideas to IdeaStorm. The current process creates the potential for people to mis-categorize ideas, or not designate categories for their idea, making it harder for the community to locate and evaluate all ideas. IdeaStorm needs to provide examples of good and bad idea postings in order to help community members submit ideas that Dell can quickly assess and adopt!

2.) Provide users with the tools for developing consensus!

Let community members have the ability to gain some consensus on controversial ideas. Consider implementing some tools that allow community members to poll each other to make decisions on how to improve the idea.

3.) Dedicate personnel to interact as an organizational representative within the community!

IdeaStorm has certainly improved on its communication with its members. The addition of several moderators has made response times quicker, but members still do not hear from the upper management at Dell about what they think of ideas and whether or not they are feasible. Dell needs to get more involved by not only providing administrative support in terms of site management, but also executive support by having a senior manager login and talk with community members.

4.) Ask questions to understand!

Dell shouldn’t just listen to community members’ ideas, but also ask questions so that the community can improve them! IdeaStorm was created to give feedback on the products and services Dell offers. The community is here to help Dell become a better organization, but in order for the community to be effective we need feedback too. Ask members questions about the ideas to make sure that ideas are not disregarded due to a poor description or presentation. If Dell does not understand an Idea – give the community this feedback so the community can help refine the idea for Dell.

5.) If you let members vote, make it count!

Sometimes members’ views on what constitutes a great product are different from Dell’s. IdeaStorm was created to expand Dell’s ability to leverage ideas from outside the formal organizational boundaries. When members vote for an idea, it should count! Even if Dell does not see it as viable at first, the idea deserves exploring. Dell needs to consider that stifling the democracy of the community frustrates and disenfranchises the community.

6.) When Dell is ready to move forward on an idea, present progress clearly and openly!

When an idea does move forward, it is still difficult for the community to track. Make sure the progress updates are clear about what the next steps are, to keep the community informed. The community wants to know the next steps in detail. If we are your volunteer ideaforce, keep us informed so that we can correct misinterpretations and perhaps provide that key piece of information that is preventing Dell from taking advantage of our ideas.



Scroll down to see the comments from Dawn on these suggestions.





6 Comments »

Explain the difference between different processors

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site submitted by ccpljat Apr 26

Somewhere on your website you need to explain the difference between different processors or provide a comparison chart. For example, there is a difference between the Intel Celeron 2.0 GH processor and the Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GH processors. Also provide information comparing Intel to AMD Sempron, and their other processors. 1 Comment »

use open firmware on all systems

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Service and Support submitted by dgilmore May 21

Rather than using a closed bios that is limited in functionality. Use open firmware http://www.openfirmware.org/ on all systems. it gives greater flexibility and will allow dell to provide open source solutions from top to bottom. 3 Comments »

Offer No OS Option on all PCs for Home / Small Business Markets

Operating Systems submitted by gear Apr 22

Why not sell PCs with no OS installed and just include the drivers disk for popular OSes that are known to work on it like (XP, Linux, and Vista).

I already have licenses for XP and Linux and I can install my own here.

Having the drivers disk would mean I don't have to download them. 3 Comments »

Don't make us wait for inspiron 1535 details

Advertising and Marketing submitted by shrndegruv May 13

engadget and others reported that the inspiron lineup is about to receive some newer models. Don't make us wait!! Release the specs now so we know what is coming soon. 12 Comments »

Just the same CPU!

Sales Strategies submitted by sautiller May 11

At Dell Taiwan, the default CPU for Inspiron and XPS laptops is Intel T8300 now. But the prices for an upgrade from T8300 to T9300 vary! Isn't it just the same CPU? Why?

Inspiron 1520:
T8300 to T9300: Cost NT$ 3141.6-

Inspiron 1720:
T8300 to T9300: Cost NT$ 4983.3-

XPS M1530:
T8300 to T9300: Cost NT$ 2946.3-

Dell Taiwan website:
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=tw&cs=twdh... 4 Comments »

Offer Killer Gaming Network Cards on the XPS line-up for US and Canada

Desktops, Gaming, XPS products submitted by junior May 17

Dell, Start offering the Killer Gaming Network cards like the K1 or M1. Better than Gigabit Ethernet, I think anyway. These cards should be an option for all XPS Desktops in the US and Canada.

Killer M1:
$279.99 US

Killer K1:
$199.99 US 1 Comment »

Use the Intel network cards instead of Broadcom

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by thefirstm Apr 25

I think that Dell should stop integrating the wired Broadcom 44xx card (or 57xx card for professional PCs). Since as far as I can remember, every Dell laptop has come standard with these, where the Intel counterparts are much better. Every Intel chipset since the ICH2 southbridge has come with an integrated ethernet controller, and since the ICH5 this has been a gigabit controller. Additionally, it seems as if it would be cheaper to use the Intel controller. To utilize it, all you have to do is add a PHY chip instead of a whole ethernet controller. I think Dell needs to get over its Broadcom thing and start offering gigabit controllers in its home and small business laptops by switching to the Intel integrated controller. 7 Comments »

Why wait to release specs?

New Product Ideas, Desktops and Laptops submitted by mostlyharmless22 May 13

Eee 900 PC and HP Mini-Note 2133 are selling like hotcakes and just about every other laptop manufacturer in existence has released tentative specs for a low-cost sub-notebook. Meanwhile, Dell drags its feet on releasing specs for its own. If you read the blogs, there are multitudes who want to wait to see what Dell comes out with but are losing patience and buying the new Eee or, if they aren't worried about mechanical hard drives, the HP Mini-Note. Every single Eee 900 or Mini-Note sold is a sale that Dell coud have had. Very bad idea. 13 Comments »

Make both cords detachable on A/C Power Adapters

Laptop Power submitted by goldschool May 8

Dell just had to send me a new A/C power adapter because a short developed in the cord that attaches to the computer (at Dell's cost under my warranty). The cord that plugs into the electrical socket is already detachable, but the cord from the adapter to the computer is not. Had the latter been detachable, Dell could have saved itself money by replacing just the cord and not the whole adapter. The main part of my old adapter is perfectly good but now must be trashed because of the short in the cord (which developed in or right behind the plug which might make it hard or impossible to repair). Here's a way for Dell to save money on warranty replacements and keep perfectly good power adapter units out of the land fills. 1 Comment »

Allow operating system CHOICE

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by rahbm Apr 9

Please make the operating system a priced option on EVERY PC, so that people know how much they are paying, and for what.

This will allow Ubuntu users to buy any system, as opposed to the limited range now, increasing sales.

This will not disadvantage Windows purchasers; they can simply tick the box for XP or Vista, and have a choice not available now.

This will also open up sales to those who want NO operating system, so that they can load their own. So far I have always bought 'white-box' PCs, but would like the ability to buy a real brand-name PC with support and warranty.

Simplified ordering (just pick the PC), with more potential customers!

Thank you for your consideration. 2 Comments »

Integrated WebCams on all UltraSharp Monitors

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Monitors and Displays submitted by junior May 17

Dell should integrate webcams on the Ultra-Sharp monitors, sure the Ultra-Sharp monitors are used mostly for Business use but are desirable for gamers. Everybody likes these monitors because they can Tilt, Swivel and Pivot. If Dell cannot integrate a webcam into these Ultra-Sharp monitors, at least get the SP2008WFP and SP2208WFP 20" and 22" monitors to Tilt, Swivel, and Pivot. 6 Comments »

Have more then one fan speed for the inspiron 1525

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Inspiron products submitted by thundergrey May 21

All the insprion 1525 has is "High" fan speed. this makes it loud and annoying. My 1520 has a "low" (2250RPM) and a "high" (3500RPM) setting, and when its on "low" you cant even hear it. this should be included on the 1525. Comment »

Shipping Options - Local Pick Up

Sales Strategies submitted by pablohs May 13

I have seen several ideas and comments about how long it takes for items to get shipped, and I agree sometimes 20 days is just too long to wait for a new PC / laptop, specially if the date keeps changing.

I am a big Dell fan, and I try to purchase all my equipment from Dell, however sometimes I just go to the local store for some small stuff.

Here is an idea; now that you have these Dell kiosk at malls, and you are selling Dell PCs in retailers, what about giving customers the option to pick their purchase up at the closest retailer (if available).

For example I may want to buy a Midnight Blue XPS M1330 with 4GB of RAM – In the checkout section of dell.com it may say something like this…

The preliminary ship date for your system is 05/30/08 or you have the following options…

1) You can pick up a Tuxedo Black XPS M1130 with 4GB of RAM at the Dell Kiosk in Mall Z
2) You can pick up a Midnight Blue XPS M1130 with 2GB of RAM at your local Store X on Y Avenue.
3) You can pick up a Midnight Blue XPS M1150 with 4GB of RAM at your local Store A on B Avenue.

Here the customer has a choice to make – what is more important? He/She can wait to get exactly what they want, or they can get something similar right now.

I should be able to pay my purchase at Dell.com and receive a Receipt/Boucher to pick my laptop at the location of my choice.

Warning!!! - This will require you to have good inventory integration with your retailers – You do not want somebody to pick choice X to find out the that the computer described in the website is on back order. That will give DELL a bad PR. 8 Comments »

STOP MERGING until you get an Unmerge feature.

IdeaStorm submitted by jmxz May 21

Wow - the merges get stranger and stranger. Today we see the idea
"Use Hardware with Open Sourced Drivers" merged with the idea "Have Ubuntu on Dell One". For whomever merged these, do you realize that the Dell One is a model of Dell computer, and as far as I can tell has nothing at all to do with Open Sourced Drivers?

That's perhaps even worse than the idea for a 20" laptop being merged with an idea for a desktop-with-built-in-printer, and even worse than the idea requesting packaged software sold on Dell's web site being merged with an idea requesting easier to find links to hardware on the web site

This Idea is to stop merging until IdeaStorm has a working Unmerge feature so the admins can undo the rather silly merges that seem to be happening more and more. 11 Comments »

Monitor price too high!

Advertising and Marketing, Monitors and Displays submitted by junior May 12

Dell, the price of the new Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP at a starting price of $1999....this is a rip-off. I've seen an 47" LCD HDTV with 1080p at just $1199 CDN and is cheaper in US Dollars. Maybe think about lowering the price of this monitor in the near future. 7 Comments »

Stop Advertising Windows Vista On Your Linux Pages

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site submitted by aikiwolfie May 11

A while ago I noticed the Latitude XT promotional demo video in the Linux section of the Dell community page. And questioned it's relevance then. In the open source page on Dell.com Dell is still trying to steer open source users back to Windows.

The Latitude XT is a Microsoft Windows only product and is not offered with Ubuntu or any other form of Linux so far as i know. In fact the demo video shows the Latitude XT running Windows Vista. Please stop badgering open source users and stop hounding them with this Windows Vista nonsense. We've already decided we're not interested. 7 Comments »

HDMI/DVI input on HD laptops.

Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by impulse May 10

It's great that Dell offers HDMI and DVI-D outputs on their XPS laptops, but is it possible to add HDMI and DVI inputs as well?

For those that already have a Blu-ray player or Playstation 3, it kind of stinks that we can't take advantage of the 1080p capable screens that Dell offers on the M1530 and M1730.

I think being able to use the HD screen available on at least the M1730 as a monitor for consoles or Blu-ray players would be a great idea, as it would save people such as myself from having to buy an external monitor or new TV. 6 Comments »

8GB of RAM capacity on M1730. C'mon Dell, you already offer it in Precision M6300

Sales Strategies, XPS products, Laptops submitted by kanoneno May 12

Please make posible upgrading to 8GB of RAM on the M1730, and also offer 64 bit Vista so we can really take advantage of the memory. I mean, 4 GB is kind of new, but 64 bit applications are starting to emerge and soon 4 GB wont be enough, Vista uses 1 GB or something like that so you are only left with 3GB, thats pretty much the same you can use in Windows XP. If you can already make 8GB laptops (precision M6300) then upgrade the M1730 so that we can really start taking advantage of 64 bit apps.
By the way, Alienware Area 51 laptop already has a firewire 800 port, that could also be useful in the M1730, it's really hard to capture video to an external drive if you only have one firewire port. 18 Comments »

Offer Solid State Hard Drive with more Capacity and lower price

Servers and Storage, Desktops and Laptops submitted by nsenman May 16

I think solid state drives are way too overpriced and not large enough for the amount of storage people need now a days. People would love to have the 100+ GB of storage Hard Drives along with a less expensive price, comparable to the current SATA. 3 Comments »