sahara

Don't cooperate with Microsoft for Linux

Dell, Linux submitted by mistern 05/07/07

http://www.crn.com/software/199204149 8 Comments »

Learn from the "Hello, I'm a MAC... and I'm a PC" ads

Dell submitted by dsdreamer 04/29/07

Hello, I am a Dell user both at home and at work, and I have watched all the commercials at http://www.apple.com/getamac/

I think Dell could learn a lot from them. Whether or not Apple's claims are true of their own products, it is clear to me that they've nailed the downsides of the typical PC user experience. So why not tackle a few of them, and provide a differentiated, high-value experience to your customers?

Stuffed: The bloatware experience that renders a Dell PC almost unusable out of the box. Other posts have been pleading for a way around that.

Computer Cart: Windows PCs tend to fail with cryptic error messages. Why not provide an application that reads the Windows error logs and interprets them in plain english?

Security: Provide a Dell Quickset option to turn off Vista's UAC (with suitable education about the risks)?

iLife: Why are all the PC's multimedia tools always fighting each other for control of the playback of each media file type? Even Microsoft's Windows Media player is trying to take over playback tasks from the same company's Windows Media Center. This is just absurd. It's the opposite of integration. I think Dell should provide an integrated user experience instead of taking subsidies to pre-install a dozen competing media apps that confuse, distract and ultimately never serve the end-user.

Out of the Box: "Well, first I've got to download those new drivers, and then erase the trial software that came on my hard-drive." Why is it that the driver configuration and BIOS and optical drive firmware all need multiple updates before any Delll system I've purchased will run smoothly? Take a look at the number of urgent or recommended driver / firmware / BIOS updates that are already posted for the Dell Dimension 9200/410. It's pretty much a full-time job to keep up with them. If the maturity of the chipset drivers from Dell's suppliers are so poor, one method of attack is to narrow the range of supported chipsets, and keep your customers away from the bleeding edge; another would be to develop an automated configuration management solution for the drivers in any Dell PC.

I've no idea whether Apple, HP or any other vendor scores better in the above-mentioned aspects than Dell does. I'm just saying that anyone who could solve a bunch of these issues could provide a value proposition that many of us would appreciate.

17 Comments »

Laptop keyboard light

submitted by jcjustus 05/03/07

Put a light on the notebooks that can be turned on to illuminate the keyboard...tough to work in a dark / dimly lit room with no keyboard light. 6 Comments »

Laptop / Notebooks Keyboard Interface - Expand and Lighting

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), New Product Ideas, Laptops submitted by kreisler 05/03/07

These ideas would probably serve the XPS series well, but no harm with the Inspiron for selective suggestions.

1. Expanded Keyboard
For the larger notebooks, probably 17", accommodate a full sized keyboard (with the numpad on the left, like a normal desktop keyboard)

2. Keyboard Lighting
All the letters, numbers and symbols on the keyboard are replaced with see-through plastics (not the entire single key surface, just the letter part), and insert lighting into the key itself.

As added feature, the user can turn on and off a 'light sensitivity feature', a futuristic-looking suggestion that when a key is pressed, the light will lit up and then will dim off (to a default low lighting or entirely off) gradually in a time span of around 1 secs (time span is short as people type fast these days)

Hence when typing on a keyboard night or low light environment, you will have a very nice sequencing of lights over the keyboard. I would think this bumps the cool factor of the notebook one notch up.

Thanks for reading.

6 Comments »

Create a Separate Linux Area on the Front Page

Linux, Software submitted by rockettech 05/06/07

Create a separate category on the front page for Linux: Home/Home Office, Small/Medium Business, Education, Enterprise, Linux. One of the potential pitfalls I see for Dell offering Linux machines would be the uninformed user selecting a Linux machine. Picture this- It's Tax time, Joe Customer goes to Staples and purchases TurboTax and attempts to install it on his new Linux Dell. Nothing but problems ensue, so who does he blame? Himself?? Heck no. The backlash will be on Dell, Linux, and TurboTax. Emulators are not the answer in all cases.
I think Linux needs to be differentiated some way on the Dell site, to allow easy access to those who want it, and to obscure it from those that may be harmed by it. 9 Comments »

No Novell EVER

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by jaswax 05/07/07

There is no way I or anyone else in the Linux community will ever buy a Dell computer with Novell Linux on it. If you want to stay in the computer manufactuing business you will reassert your comitment to Ubuntu or some other Linux distribution that is not Novell or RedHat.

You are currently the #2 computer manufacturer. You know this. Your WERE #1. I see you taking another dip to #3 and then #4 if you keep going back on your promises to your customers and potential customers. Come on. Who helped you build your empire, your customers or Microsoft?

I was the guy that sent the email to Michael Dell warning him of the impending fall from the #1 position over the poor tech support about a year and a half ago. My warning was not heeded.

Don't make the same mistake again. This may make me sound like some arrogant idiot but I was a customer and you almost had me back with the whole Ubuntu Linux thing. I am sure a lot of others feel the same way. I will never buy a Dell with Novell or Microsoft on it. 13 Comments »

Stay away from SUSE Linux (Novell/Microsoft)

Linux submitted by sirro 05/08/07

Please don't make us have to pay dollars to Microsoft to use Linux on our servers! That is just so wrong. 5 Comments »

Don't limit Ubuntu sales (like the media's reporting you are doing)

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz 05/08/07

From: http://techiqmag.com/2007/05/08/dell-limits-ubuntu-linux-sales/

If you’re planning to load up on Dell’s new Ubuntu Linux systems for a corporate department or small business, Dell may have a surprise for you. As the old saying goes, read the fine print.

Yeah, I know the article mentions you have similar limitations on Windows Home machines -- but don't limit the Ubuntu sales for small-businesses. It's not clear from the article if you intend to do that or not. 8 Comments »

End the Novell/Microsoft Deal

Dell, Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by plasticboy 05/07/07

Dell should end its deal with Novell and Microsoft to distribute SUSE Linux and provide patent protection to end-users:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-06MSDellNovellPR.mspx

This deal violates the spirit of the open source license under which Linux is distributed and is a slap in the face for every free software contributor.

Entering into this deal will put Dell in a tight place when open source projects that are key to Linux, such as the Samba project, begin to use the next version of the GNU General Public License which will specifically prohibit such deals:
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS7188736246.html

If Dell is serious about Linux, then it must be serious about the freedoms that Linux affords to its users. The Novell deal endangers these freedoms by acknowledging the intellectual property claims that Microsoft has made over Linux:
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;839593139;fp;16;fpid;1 27 Comments »

Portable Designs

Laptops submitted by kallark 04/30/07

Is time to make a DELL Table PC

The LCD wide screen is flips and rotates 180 degrees, it is also a touch screen. that will be a notebook, that you can actually take notes on it.
Examples:



Is time to move to the next generation of computer, small, less heavy and more portable than ever.



Transparent notebook.

This is an example of a common desktop transparent chassis

Imagine that on a portable, with some neon led's on it, flashing a the sound of the music in the portable. 7 Comments »

New choice on front of DELL.COM

Dell Web Site submitted by kevintrooper 04/30/07

They should have one of those icons similar to the notebooks and PC! but,... I'ts both combined in one image and says (when clicked on it): if you want a PC or Notebook then u choose a operating system!

And vista buisness! (sorry couldn't find good image)

If you think there should be another choice Post it in the comments! 8 Comments »

remove mcafee 30 days trial software

Software submitted by robertobiggio 05/03/07

its a pain to remove mcafee, u have to go into msconfig to remove this antivirus.

to much trouble, pls, who wants mcafee,
consumer is more important than a little software bundle fees, isnt it? 4 Comments »

Make Carbon Fiber Based Laptops to Minimize weight and Maximize Strength

Laptops submitted by wonderworm 05/07/07

Sony's has a big winner with their Carbon Fiber based Vaio laptops. Carbon Fiber has become extremely cheap over the past several years so for little cost, Dell could reduce the weight of some of their laptop lines significantly while actually improving structural integrity.

Plus Carbon Fiber is just cool. 1 Comment »

Dell Outlet Should Offer OS Choice of Linux

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by durango95 05/01/07

Budget minded consumers love the Dell Outlet because we can save hundreds on the latest equipment... and I am batting 100% on the quality of the systems being shipped from the Outlet.

HOWEVER... One thing that irks me is that I am forced to take WINDOWS VISTA when buying these outlet machines. The first thing I do after receiving them is format them and install Fedora Core 6. I have bought twelve XPS 410s in the past calendar quarter and have formatted them all clean and installed FC6.

It's just plain unfair to pay the Microsoft Tax and agree to their unreasonable EULAs if we do not have to. I am all for giving B. Gates and company money for any of their products that actually give business value (i.e. usually this means Excel or possibly Visio in this day and age as business-line people require perfect Office-compatible functionality -- OOo is great for developers and more casual users but not necessary for front line heavily analysis people). I'd rather the software money go to VMWare or Red Hat or some company actually delivering uncommon value nowadays.

Since Dell will not be able to compete with Apple on HW/SW combination OS choice is king at this point. It behooves Dell to ally with Linux now more than ever to face the Apple threat. 2 Comments »

Built-in camera in notebook lid

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by filipzahradnik 05/06/07

I'd love to see a small camera built into the lid of the notebook - just above the display. Some notebooks (like Asus) already have it and it works great for video calling. This would save people having to lug a web cam around... 4 Comments »

Make longer lasting batteries for better portability

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptop Power submitted by winoffice 05/05/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Don't make us recharge our laptops' batteries so often! A recent Cnet article (posted at Cnet's news site at about May 5, 2007) explains that Windows Vista's Aero Glass feature gives you less battery life. So, if we want Windows Vista, then we either have to recharge more often, or pay extra for more and better batteries! Instead, make Dell get rid of the batteries which quickly lose their charge...and come up with something that would give us longer battery life as follows (under Windows Vista), without making us stay away from Windows Vista or pay an extra $99 for another and better battery.

Basic laptops: at least 2 1/2 hours battery life
Entertainment laptops: at least 3 1/2 hours battery life
XPS laptops: at least 4 1/2 hours battery life 31 Comments »

Implemented: Ubuntu Dell is Le$$ Than Windows Dell

Linux submitted by thebittersea 05/05/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

see comment from Erik down below... [Dell's Pricing Team]

$774 Inspiron 1420 (Ubuntu)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Ubuntu version 7.04
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Integrated High Definition Audio

$824 Inspiron 1420 (Vista)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista Home Basic Edition
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
24X CD writer/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated High Definition Audio
The difference in promotion pricing was due to an error on the site, which has been fixed.






412 Comments »

Fix the BIOS to enable HIBERNATE & SUSPEND

Linux, Service and Support submitted by cement_head 05/03/07

Three major priorities should be addressed for the adoption of Ubuntu 7.04:

1) The Hibernate and Suspend functions should work with the BINARY (accelerated) graphics drivers from nVIDIA and ATI. nVIDIA has better linux support - consider switching to nVIDIA cards on laptops. HIBERNATE and SUSPEND are essential for laptops and for widescale adoption within the business/corporate world. DELL laptops have been notrorious for poorly written BIOSes that only will hook into Micro$oft windows and M$ ACPI scripts - while this has not been an issue in the past due to the monolith of M$; it is now an issue whose time has come. This BIOS (DSDT tables) issue has to addressed at the level of DELL, not Ubuntu. Consider the FreeBIOS project.

2) Wireless cards should "simply work". Major culprit is Broadcom Cards. They are a pain to install; and usually require an extra step. Consider adopting a different manufacturer that supplies & supports an open source WiFi driver.

3) AMD processors. They are better. They are cheaper. They use less power. The Turion (64 bit) is especially well suited to Linux. AMD & nVIDIA would be a formidable combination. Consider dumping INTEL.

Less important, but annoying:

4) iTUNEs. This is REALLY annoying. Goes to the heart of DRM. But, the pragmatic reality of today's world is that many people already have an iPOD. Maybe you (Michael Dell) has enough pull to get Steve Jobs to get his people to compile/script iTUNES for Ubuntu.

Looking forward to seeing Feisty on DELLs.

- cement_head 7 Comments »

Provide one Notebook and one desktop with hardware entirely supported under opensource licences

Dell, Linux, Software submitted by monday90 05/06/07

Either source your own drivers and release them under an open source license or build them from hardware that has openly available interfaces. This enables people to install whatever they want, Windows/ Linux /BSD /Opensolaris etc and write their own drivers should they wish to. You wouldn't even have to provide drivers for the latter option. All of this can already be done, the challenge is putting together the best performing rig. 6 Comments »

Genuine Ubuntu Sticker

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by josmar52789 05/04/07

Show Microsoft that we can be professional too. Plus, Linux could get some more publicity this way... 6 Comments »