El mundo visto desde el otro lado….Blog Dell
submitted by arodriguez
05/14/07
El mundo visto desde el otro lado….Blog Dell
Alguna vez las grandes compañias como Dell , Ibm , HP , Microsoft…deben saltar y ponerse en el otro lado…¿en que lado ?
En el de las pequeñas compañias ….les iria mejor…El mundo esta cambiando a velocidades siderales o spidermanes , y los antiguamente llamados "jefes de informatica" ya no sabemos ni lo que somos…unos dicen CIO , otros ques somos los vigilantes de IT , otros "fareros" …
Lo cierto es que nuestro CEO nos pide aportar soluciones para aumentar el "profit" de la compañía…asi nos vemos inmersos en una lucha interna y externa, una por investigar que ideas de las "grandes compañias" son utiles para nosotros y cuales no…y es aquí donde empieza el mareo de sopa de letras…unos me dicen SOA , sin perder de vista el TCO ni bajar el SLA, que siga integrado en mi ERP, pero teniendo en cuenta las cacharrerias SAS , NAS, DMR o HAL…y todo ello en un entorno en el que tu hijo te pregunta de forma inocente que es el Vista , que le han dicho que mejor el linux , pero que ponga ya el Wifi en casa o ...esperamos al Wimax , que su OPERA no le va…desde su DS ...
Por ello creo que las "grandes compañias" deben acercarse , y con lenguaje llano y claro , formar, y escuchar a las "mini empresas"….esto que se ha iniciado en Dell "blog" (otra mas) creo que es un buen puento de inicio y que nos ayudara a todos a crecer …en todos los sentidos …!animo! Y que no decaiga.
Un cordial Saludo
Alberto Rodriguez Mata
-110
All 64 Bit PC's
Desktops submitted by class2008
05/25/07
Dell should begin producing all 64 bit pc's. WIth rumors of Windows Vista being the last OS available in 32 bit, they should get consumers ready with 64 bit pc's, at reasonable prices.
1850
The Real Advantages of Linux
Linux submitted by cosh
03/30/07 **COMING SOON**
- Linux is free. It's free for use on an unlimited number of computers. For ever.
- There are a variety of excellent distros of it now. Similar goals, but different approaches, so you pick exactly what you want.
- An amazing library of free, open programs are available for download with any and all distrobutions. Linux lets you explore these by category and choose which ones to try.
- Linux is efficient and runs on pc's that have a significantly lower spec (and are therefore cheaper) than what Vista ever could.
- Linux is proven secure. No viruses for Linux have ever propagated successfully, and there were only ever 14 of them.
- Linux is absolutely top-of-the-range Open Source Software. Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have reviewed Linux's code, making constant improvements across the OS. Now, the end user can rely on it. Linux is amazingly stable.
- Linux never stopped caring about where you wanted to go today. The designers always listen to problems, and then fix them.
- OpenOffice is a flexible and powerful office-suite and is free for all to use. Again, this is high-quality Open Source Software.
- Linux will let you play your music and movies without fuss.
- Linux will let you browse the internet and email safely.
- As well as being free in price, Linux is freedom. It never places DRM restrictions on you or spys on the way you use music and media. It just does what you ask.
- Thanks to continuing work on the Windows compatibility layers WINE and CrossOver, you can run increasingly complex Windows programs directly in Linux if you prefer, including Office, Internet Explorer, Photoshop and iTunes. Explore some screenshots here.
- Linux has huge online dedicated support communities. Dell can use those, to reduce the efforts of providing its own Linux support desks.
And for comparison, the disadvantages of Windows- Windows is frustratingly expensive plus you have to pay for it again if you have another computer. Windows license management is glued onto the operating system. It scans your hardware and uses the hardware key (sent to Microsoft's website of course) to track one copy of Windows across different computers.
- If you don't like something that's changed in the new version, tough.
- Windows makes even the basic computers in the Dell range more expensive because it's a memory and resource hog. Vista's requirements have forced basic memory used to manage the OS up four-fold. So with far more memory - you get the same results.
- There are over 114,000 known viruses for Windows. See this list of viruses, and note how many do and don't begin with "W32" (which means Windows).
- Windows is closed-source. Thousands of defects are permanently left in it because there simply aren't enough people working on it to iron them all out (or probably even notice them).
- Windows is bossy and obtrusive. Vista is swamped with irritating security dialogs. You opened this file. Cancel or allow? You want to view this website. Cancel or allow? etc. People don't want to run operating systems - they want run applications and get on with what they're doing.
- Windows Media Player (reportedly) submits reports of DVDs you watch to a file on Microsoft's server, tracked with an individual id. See this page. Surely to god nobody wants this? Or this?!?!
- Look at this Microsoft diagram of how Vista plays HD video. Notice the repeated decryption and reencryption before the data gets sent to your screen. Notice the multiple "protected environments", and the fact that your prgrams are deemed to be "unprotected". Who is Vista trying to protect the video from? - YOU. This blatantly outrageous content protection is because it thinks you will try to share the video with friends and it doesn't want you to. Plus the multiple decryption stages of each frame of video put a frightening strain on the computer meaning only high-end computers will be able to play HD content in Vista (for the near future).
- It's just... not nice. Not just the OS, but Microsoft's attitude. See the Halloween Documents if you haven't already. Microsoft's reports make a shocking read. Their attitude is cold and ruthless, and we don't like that, and we don't like Dell to be tied so tightly into that.
Linux is not the be-all and the end-all, but it is growing faster, much faster, than Windows. The Linux community can scale ten times the number of developers that Windows can. Arguably, it's set to soon be superior to Windows in virtually every respect. Dual-booting options with Windows and Linux give maximum choice to the user. This option is a must for Dell computers. Microsoft's vendor-lock-in contracts which force PC retailers to support and "recommend" only Windows are unethical and we don't like them. It's gone on for too long. Let's be honest Dell, ask yourself, what are Microsoft so afraid of? Will they lose money through dual booting both Windows and Linux? No not if Windows was the better OS... So is Microsoft quietly admitting to it... Come on Dell, we all want you to show the world how much more a computer can be! We want you to show the world what a computer is meant to be, and marvel at people's suprise and delight! Giving your customers choice can only be a good thing. Don't ignore this chance to become the open source pioneer. Might I suggest that promotion is vital. Linux computers will not sell well if they are hidden in some back-alley part of your website. To get the best results for the work you put in, make sure people can see it and that it is well-described, so people who've never heard of it don't get confused. Make sure that you make these computers available to markets outside America too. Don't ignore us here in Europe! The European Commission's had quite enough of Windows anyway, after fining Microsoft €497 million ($603 million USD) for anti-competitive behavior. Another idea, to iron out compatibility problems and get interesting extra feedback, beta-test some of your new Linux range with a large-ish selection of people before making it fully available. Unlike with Windows, you have full options to customise the style, background and layout and almost complete behavior of the OS. You might want to put your own touches on it. For example the default installation of Ubuntu is a light-brown/orange colour, which lacks much universal appeal. Test to see whether people want something layed out similarly to Windows or just barebones Linux defaults for the particular distro(s). (I personally would like something similar to Windows' look.) Open the window. Linux is ready for Dell, and Dell is ready for Linux.We appreciate the promises you've made already Dell. Thank you. We're all behind you and look forward to the results.
980
Low-Power no-mercury LCD Monitors
Monitors and Displays submitted by bluefoxicy
05/15/07
Mary Lou Jepsen developed a new type of LCD display for the OLPC that uses a prism and a white light source (a white LED) with a wide gamut to produce brillian, wide-gamut color ranges with lower power. Basically, it uses a prism and a reflector to direct the appropriate color of light to a pixel on the screen; rather than blasting a white fluorescent backlight and dimming out the red/green/blue channels to what you want.
This design can be easily manufactured (according to Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Machine#Display ) on existing LCD fabrication equipment; utilizes no mercury if you use a bright white LED for the light source; has a wider color gamut; and utilizes much less power (powering a bright white LED, getting full brightness out instead of blocking 85% of the light, can adjust brightness by dimming the LED...).
I'd like to see this sort of design replace modern LCD monitors. The technology utilized is interesting, and with more work it could become the standard LCD technology for a while; it may even meet or exceed visual quality in comparison with CRTs. I'm not a hardware engineer, so I can only speculate based on what I've read; but I find the design impressive from a logistics standpoint.
370
Backlit Keys on Laptops
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by fwayne
04/20/07
Anyone who has used a laptop in dim or dark lighting knows that the keys are very difficult to see. Back-lighting the keys would be a huge improvement, and for those with vision imparements it could be a real useability feature. There are external keyboards on the market that have this feature and it would be great to have on a business or home class system.
One note: Please dont go for the translucent "light up the whole key" method. This is not very effective. The keys themselves should remain dark, witht the actual charactors being illuminated.
Also, a competitor has used a screen mounted LED to project light onto the keys, this isnt all that great either.
Do you agree?
1250
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
3160
Provide option of HDD which can be replaced with SSD in near future..
Servers and Storage submitted by vikramchauhan10
Feb 12
The time has come when DELL should provide option of HDD which can be replaced with SSD in near future. This is because in near future price of flash based SSD will drop, and then customer would like to replace the HDD with SSD, and carry HDD as a backup memory in separate case. This will also add to battery time due to low power consumption of SSD, along with faster response. hope DELL will start thinking and working on this idea.
280
Partner with Micron to create a RAM module style SSD
New Product Ideas, Servers and Storage submitted by jervis961
12/07/07
"In addition to Micron's traditional solid state drives announced today, they also showed off a concept for a SSD module that resembles RAM in physical design and would fit into a similarly designed port. It's obvious but genius: while the SSD drives with SATA interfaces are terrific because they can be used in current laptops with no mods, the real performance of flash mem is only going to be unlocked when we cast aside the legacy of spinning disks and their cases and interfaces and mount SSDs on the mobo like we do RAM modules.
The design uses a SATA interface and is only 4 mm thick. Micron claims the advantages of such a design are the small size and the ability to line up multiple drives next to each other. In addition, this design requires no wires or attaching the motherboard with screws, reducing the risk of the SSD becoming disconnnected or loose inside a computer. While this product is nowhere near ready for market, Micron says they would need to work with an OEM or someone who can offer a compatible computer solution."
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/solid-state-drives/microns-future-concept-of-ssd-i...
420
Provide Linux compatibility information on all products up front
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by spm
02/21/07 **REVIEWED**
My company used to buy all out IT products from Dell. The main reason we don't buy any Dell products any more is that it is so difficult to get information from Dell on Linux compatibility, except from a few very expensive high end products. Calling Dell product support to find out if a particular product will work with Linux and where to get drivers is an offputting experience. Dell sales staff seem to take a perverse delight in telling customers that they don't support Linux, and when I tell them that I don't want support from them, only compatibility and driver information, they tell me that they can't give me that information, nor information on chipsets which might allow me to locate information from elsewhere.
The bottom line is that I expect at the very least to be provided compatibility and chipset information before I buy a PC. Neither myself or any other customer is going to buy a Dell PC to test it on Dells behalf - product testing and certification is the manufacturer's responsibility, not mine. White box suppliers, and other mail order suppliers on the other hand are only too willing to provide motherboard, chipset, and component information etc. to allow me to check compatibility.
The reason why we no longer buy any Dell products is simple - we use a small number of Linux PCs in our office and all the servers in our office run Linux. We buy all hardware, peripherals including low end desktop hardware so that they are deployable with both Linux and Windows. We do this for obvious reasons - for example, we might want to plug in a printer originally purchased for use with Windows into a Linux server print queue, and we may want server applications to print to the printer. We may want to redeploy Windows Desktops later as Linux desktops - for example to use as a shared data access desktop. Therefore, although our desktop PCs are overwhelmingly Windows, we won't buy any hardware that isn't Linux compatible, even if it is intended for use with Windows initially. Dell unfortunately doesn't meet those needs, and we cannot buy equipment from Dell. I am sure a lot of other companies which use Linux in the office have similar issues.
Here is what Dell needs to do to have a chance of winning our (and other's) custom:
1) Advertise and inform about Linux compatibility or otherwise. Finding out about compatibility before buying is the most difficult thing about Linux, not installation or configuration. Any company that can do this has a huge advantage for little or no cost.
2) Provide full Linux compatibility information on all Dell products - not just high end desktops. Ideally, certify products for the top distros - RHET, SLES, Debian, the latest free Fedora, OpenSuSE, Ubuntu if possible. Linux users don't necessarily want a preload - most Linux users are quite capable of installing Linux themselves and would probably install some other Linux distro if one was pre-installed. Preinstallation is only useful to us as an indication that the product is Linux compatible. If a feature is only partially supported by Linux, say so and say what is supported - Linux users will understand, and may not need all the features, or like us they may only want the Linux compatibility for possible future redeployment. If driver support is external (most will be) then provide links pointing to those sites in Dell support, and if you need to make a disclaimer to avoid liability for a third party products outside Dell's control, do so. Again Linux users will understand.
3) Exclude products from the Dell inventory that don't support Linux as far as possible. Generally for every part that is not Linux compatible, there is one that is Linux compatible for the same price.
4) Don't ask customers to pay the Microsoft tax. Linux machines or no-OS machines with zero cost OS and no support should cost significantly less than a Windows pre-loaded machine. Customers know when they are being cheated and don't like it.
5) Linux support (except for driver information) is not usually required (except for servers), only web based information. If the customer needs Linux support, it will probably be from an independent consultant/techie rather than from Dell. Sell your Linux PCs as "Linux OEM - no support" PCs at a significantly lower cost than the equivalent Windows PC.
6) Linux on the desktop is most competitive on the low end desktop - particularly for schools etc. Sell Linux PCs preloaded onto low end desktop computers with appropriate free software for that market, at a competitive price rather than on high end workstations.
Upfront Linux capability would be difficult to implement on our web store. But, check some of the alternatives john_h posted.
10300
switch to LED monitors
Monitors and Displays, Laptop Power submitted by yardsale
Jan 16
I dont know why dell hasnt done this yet. switch all monitors on desktops and notebooks to LED. did you know that you can run an LED screen at full brightniess and it uses less power than a LCD monitor at the lowest brighting level?!? its cheaper, its energy efficent, and it needs to be done! promote this, if you demote i wanna know why!
8470
Stop Overcharging on Notebook RAM
Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by realskript
08/28/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Dell really... REALLY need to stop overcharging... and when i say overcharing... i mean atleast double what you would pay to pick up the ram yourself.
On XPS Notebooks... you are charging $500 for 4GB of ram... when you could easily go pick them up at your local computer shop for $250... and pocket the other half of the $500...
It would be nice if dell could save the customers as well as the company itself this hassle.. and start charging NORMAL prices for an upgrade in RAM.
thanks =D
PS..... PROMOTE THIS!!!!
17410
Submit hardware specifications to the Linux Driver Project
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux submitted by upstaked
10/05/07 **REVIEWED**
Back in January kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman from Novell started a project offering companies free Linux driver development.
This proved so successful that Novell made it his full-time job and turned to a project with over 200 kernel developers: http://www.linuxdriverproject.org/ .
So Dell, submit specs and convince your hardware providers to do so too. I want to spend my money on great new hardware that runs on Linux.
We constantly work with our hardware partners to develop and maintain open-sourced drivers. Also, we make it clear that through their own developers (or other projects like the Linux Driver Project) they need to deliver on drivers.
9500
There should be an option of having no trialware on all computers
Software submitted by jervis961
08/23/07 **REVIEWED**
Here is a news article about trialware and how Dell feels that regular customers want it but small business ones do. Do they not look at the ideas here?
"Not interested in all of the trial software that clutters up new PCs? You're not alone: According to Dell's recent research in both focus groups and broader surveys, small-business users overwhelmingly view trialware as an irritant, not a benefit. That research has led Dell to axe the extras from its new Vostro line of small-business desktop PCs and laptops. Eliminating demo applications is a major step for Dell, which has caught flack for the quantity of trialware on its consumer PCs. (One frustrated customer went so far as to develop a "Decrapifier" utility. The company says that consumers who buy PCs for personal use do express interest in preloaded trial software, but that small-business users have different needs. By eliminating the trialware from Vostro machines, Dell says it has cut the system setup time in half. For now, Dell is the only major PC manufacturer to ship small-business systems without preinstalled trialware as a standard practice. (Some competitors, such as HP, allow customers to choose a no-trialware configuration.)"
Dell offers a broad amount of software choice and minimal software shipped. Read jeremy_f's post on the options we give our customers
21970
Standardize Power Cables for Laptops
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by badblood
08/27/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Nothing is more annoying than laptop power cables that are not interchangeable from one computer model to another or from one brand of computer to another. Power cables have been standardized on most electrical applicances, including desktop computers for decades.
Make an effort to promote and implement standard power cables for laptops.
Please see dawn_l's comments below.
24740
Make Linux and no Operating system standard options on all future products
Operating Systems submitted by jervis961
08/17/07 **REVIEWED**
OK Dell you have committed to supplying Linux options in limited form. Since you have laid the groundwork already here is the next step. Every new product you release that needs an Operating system should have Linux and also no Operating System as an option in the configuration along side Windows. Since you have to write drivers and test compatability for Vista when making a new product just make it compatable with Linux at the same time. There will no longer be a need for a seperate sections for Linux or no Operating system since all of the products will have the option. this will help make your site easier to navigate for you customers. You can also create an ACCURATE help me choose section for the OS choices.
Check out what daniel_j has to say on the options we offer.
20850
 track my votes
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