Partially finance the development of Ubuntu to make it as easy to use as windows
Dell, Operating Systems submitted by eniacfoa
12/20/07
Is it really that hard for Ubuntu to get as user friendly as windows? i think it will never compete with windows without being AS user friendly combined with more aggressive marketing...if the average user has trouble installing software, the whole thing is futile...and i think it could happen if some cash was thrown at it...something dell has plenty of...
I would love dell to put their money where their mouth is and help improve Ubuntu dramatically in the user friendly department...
What Dell is doing is still "toying" with the idea instead of throwing their weight behind it...there is a real market for alternative computers, people really are sick of windows, but its the only operating system they have that they can use...dont tell me apple either...theyre a rip off and an annoyance...thats why they only have 2-5% of computers...they got hammered by the commodore 64 and they got hammered by the PC/Windows for a reason...its not just marketing....they are the computer for snobs, not the masses
Microsoft is not invincible, after Commodore Business Machines management killed the company from within Microsoft were right there in 95, ready for the web and apple, being no real competition...if a group of people came along with the vision, the business skill, the capital and the beleif that they can achieve their goal, microsoft would lose their "monopoly by default" because their products arnt that good.
Nobody likes vista, strike while the iron is hot...
Plan B - buy the IP of amiga OS....you really could have a tiny Desktop OS that was very light on system resources and multi-tasked well...of course needs lots of cash to develop as its not considered modern enough not having full memory protection and some other features...the thing about it is even if the whole system goes down, on modern hardware a warm boot would be 2-3 seconds....its like 8 seconds on G3 hardware... the only reason it doesnt have "full" memory protection is its trying to remain somewhat compatible with previous versions...an idea that could be scrapped....there is a small community of talented amiga developers already devoted and this number would grow if the IP wasnt owned by a shady company who makes it look like a money laundering exercise....so many people in the current IT industry have fond memories of CBM machines and would want to work with AmigaOS it if it was a real option...alot of people still say Amiga OS multi tasks better than windows...
its a very nice flavour of unix ;)
Plan C - put money into react OS, reverse engineer windows, make a compatible version open source, kill microsoft and go down in history ;)
-220
This text on your web site regarding "open source" is misleading, please consider changing it.
submitted by cosh
11/25/07
From www.dell.com/open:
This is the wrong impression to give, as it suggests that all open source software everywhere is somehow incompatible with Windows, whereas in reality many open source programs are ported to and available on Windows, such as Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, and OpenOffice, and some popular open source programs are dedicated entirely to it, for example Paint.NET (info).
A better and more accurate thing to say would be:
"The main thing to note is that when you choose an open source operating system like Ubuntu Linux®, you don't get a Windows® operating system."
or how about:
"The main thing to note is that when you purchase a Dell computer preinstalled with Ubuntu or FreeDOS, you don't get a Windows operating system" etc. etc.
Concise, clear, and accurate. If I remember correctly there's a similar message on the other language versions of the Dell web site, so it should be changed there too.
If you've a better suggestion post it in the comments.
710
Easier way to OPT OUT of Dell selling my private information
Advertising and Marketing submitted by ninefoot3
10/17/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I rec'd a brochure yesterday saying Dell and DFS were going to share my private info with other 3rd party companies for marketing purposes. Well, it said that in about 5,000 words or so. At the end is a box stating that I may opt-out of this by calling the number listed or writing a letter (including certain info) and send it to the listed address.
I chose to use the phone method. After being shoved around to a few people, I finally got someone who could help me 'opt-out'. This involved 'opening a case' as if I had a technical issue with my account.
My IdeaStorm suggestion, hey Dell, make it easier for us to OPT-OUT of your attempts to make money off of my personal information. What's the matter? Didn't make enough money off of my patronage to Dell products and the interest rates charged? Getting an extra $1 for my name, address and age information going to help Michael Dell get a new boat? C'mon!
While I'm disturbed that Dell wanted to sell me out, I'm more disturbed that Dell made it difficult for us to opt-out. A simple URL would have been nice. I know, that would make more people opt-out and Dell would have less names to sell. It's like a mail-in-rebate or the lack of a cancel button in the account information at freecreditreport.com, you HAVE to call, and since that's a pain in the neck, most people will sloth themselves into something they don't really want.
4340
IPhone Killer
New Product Ideas submitted by aridiz
12/10/07
I've read some minor rumors, and there is even another idea already on the board for an Android Built Device (find here: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/75352/ ).
But I'd like to see a mobile device:
Part Phone,
Part Digital Organizer,
Part Multimedia Player,
Running Windows Mobile 6.
Android is still so young, I look forward to it... but with
Windows mobile, you could get it to work with Blackberry Connect, so you may even get some blackberry converts that couldn't go it IPhone.
I was sorry to see the AXIM's go, and there is still a market out there for the mobility and connectivity this kind of device could provide, an Dell can get it out there.
Thanks for reading...
Now...What do you think?
-70
A computer with an internal clock that can turn it self ON at scheduled times.
Environment, New Product Ideas submitted by jmxz
12/11/07
To save power I'd like to turn my computer off or hibernate or suspend it when not in use.
However I also have some scheduled tasks I'd really like to run.
My always on computer does everything from installing security patches in the middle of the night; to checking my stocks and email every few minutes.
Could a Dell desktop have an internal clock that can turn itself on at a programmable time. If so, I could even use the computer as an alarm clock.
A feature with a number of turn on times would be nice "power yourself on at 12:00 midnight, and also 6:30 am". Normal software could handle the "if it's the middle of the night and the computer's idle shut down after the security updates are done" or "if it's 6:30, play music like an alarm clock".
Also nice would be a "if suspended, wake up every half hour" feature whereby my computer could do my email, stocks, etc checking; and alert me (play a loud sound so I hear it even when I'm away from it; and/or send my cell phone an I/M) if there's anything I should react to.
370
have what we want
Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jmiller
12/11/07
pick any dell computers from tha past and now, and then pick what windows you want. and any software that you like. it can be old software and new software. or like this, windows media player 9 is old now but windows media player 11 is new now.
and we should be able to pick from any old acceroies and new accrerios. here is a example of this whole thing:. for example i pick a dell dimension 8100 and pick wnidows me and and pick windows media player 10 and word perfect 8,and a wireless keybord and mouse with a internet 7. thats what you should do.
-170
The Simple TabletPC
Servers and Storage submitted by krisc
12/11/07
How about a normal, boring, simple TabletPC?
Give us a 14.1" screen with a decent resolution, a Wacom based digitizer, a standard dual core CPU, 1-2gb RAM, and a decent graphics card.
There are power users out there that just want the tablet for simple notetaking and quick sketches, doodles, etc and do not need the gestures or finger touch. When we need to move around the OS, we use the mouse and keyboard because it is faster.
Please give us a normal TabletPC with a better price point.
210
mini ipods
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by dmdolan
12/12/07
Dear Mr Dell.
Giving you my idea on a good faith review. For those of my generation, computers are of a struggle and very time consuming. Therefore, My ideas is a mini ipod. An ipod that you can purchase with songs already downloaded. Suggestions:
The Best of the 60's, 70's, 80's etc. The best love songs, pop, rap. Even music groups such as Bon Jovi could put out an ipods with their songs. Mini ipods with 50-100 songs all ready to purchase. Great idea, Not sure if a company already did this idea but I'm giving it to you because of your reputation and great product line. Hop to hear from you. Denise
-110
Fashion Computers
Laptops submitted by katlen70
12/12/07
I want a laptop that has a beautiful design that is created by a fashion designer. For example, Marc Jacobs or L.A.M.B would be two design houses who could work with the industrial designers who create the hardware aspect of the laptop.
How cool would it be to be in a coffee house with my cool Marc Jacobs designed laptop!
-110
makeup compact with camera
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by katlen70
12/12/07
I would love to have a little digital camera that is embedded into a makeup compact that has a mirror so that I can primp in the mirror and take a picture of myself. The compact can have a memory card that I can take out and download images to my computer.
-100
Donations for Ubuntu development
Linux submitted by dave-2
11/27/07
If Dell ever implements the idea (and this, and this, and this, etc) allowing users to select Ubuntu from a list of OS options instead of going to another section of the website to order a special "N" series model, the Ubuntu option should cost less than the Windows options.
In addition to the OS configuration buttons, offer two buttons that allow the user to contribute that savings back toward Ubuntu development:
o Donate $0 to Ubuntu (default)
o Donate $25 to Ubuntu (split the savings)
o Donate $50 to Ubuntu (donate the full amount saved)
The amount of the full donation should reflect the cost of the least expensive version of Windows (e.g. Genuine Windows(r) Vista Home Premium) .
440
Restore disk for Ubuntu
Linux submitted by limerat
11/13/07
People who use Windows get a restore disk,people who use Linux should get a restore disk as well.
I just bought a Dell last week...The update manager stopped working in Ubuntu.. So I went to the Ubuntu forums and pasted in the correction into the terminal which should have fixed the problem.-
It did not work.
I reinstalled the OS.
The machine would no longer go on line.
I finally end up at Dell tec support for Linux where I'm told there are missing drivers..So since Dell already knows about this,why are the drivers not installed on Ubuntu or supplied on a recovery disk,along with instructions for people new to Linux?
Anyway, I'm sent to a web page to download the drivers. Lucky for me a friend has let me borrow her computer,or I'd be up the creek without a paddle. I have yet to burn the disk though,as I'm only a guest on said computer.
I have to wonder who else this has happened to and if they can't download the drivers,what have they done? Have they set the machine on the curb for trash pickup?
This foul up is going to make a lot of people really unhappy and Dell needs to have fixed this before they decided to load Linux on their first box. There is no excuse for such inept sloppiness on the part of a professional company.
Had I known about this, I NEVER would have bought a Dell.
Anyway,I just so you know,Dell did provide a video drivers disk with Ubuntu...The problem was the disk had only Windows drivers....Which is useless..
Somebody at Dell needs to get a clue.
840
Multi-OS selection via checkboxes
submitted by xivulon
11/29/07
What about having a checkbox for each operating system in order to allow users to select multiple choices? No checkbox = no OS, multiple checkboxes = Multiboot. The conflict resolution dialog notifes about conflicts between OS and other hardware choices.
Select My Operating Systems:
[ _ ] Free DOS (info) [$0]
[ x ] Ubuntu 7.10 (info) [$0]
[ _ ] Windows XP (info) [add $50]
[ x ] Windows Vista Basic (info) [add $50]
[ _ ] Windows Vista Home Premium (info) [add $100]
[ _ ] Windows Vista Ultimate (info) [$150]
[ _ ] Windows Vista Business (info) [$100]
Ubuntu, XP and all other operating systems should be made available on all machines unless there is a fundamental hardware issue that makes a particular OS unsuitable (an issue that cannot be resolved by selecting a different component). Each item should have an info button which opens a brief explanation, a fair comparison table of all operating systems should also be provided. Details such as bootloader choice in multiboot configuration and disk allocation algorithm are left to Dell engineers to have fun with.
Hopefully that will accomodate most requests relating to OS choice while keeping the interface simple and intuitive.
1320
 track my votes
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