ty1323

Ubuntu Dell Repo

Linux, Service and Support submitted by tekhawk 07/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

basicly a simple idea dell to support the ubuntu community a little bit by running a repo for its laptops and desktop if nothing more to support the software that they install on the system and to provide driver updates theses repos should be setup on the machines before shipping so that the users can get the driver updates quick and easy and offer driver on there for all the drivers that there are for dell machines that are support on linux not just the shipping lines

so that user might find that other machines then the ones you ship with ubuntu can easly be made into power ubuntu operating machines


As matt_d has said below, we have repositories for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, and a growing one for Ubuntu. Check it out here http://linux.dell.com.
76 Comments »

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.





189 Comments »

Put Ubuntu on the list of operating systems when building a PC!

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by samb0057 08/10/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Ubuntu is hidden in a dark corner of the website. I work in IT support, and I have a client who was having virus problems a little while ago. I fixed the problem by installing Ubuntu on their PC. Very recently they called me asking for advice on a new computer, I told them about your new offer providing Ubuntu pre-installed on PCs and they wanted to purchase, but could not find the section on your site (this person is a very basic user, doesn't know what open-source means, probably didn't even see the open source link). There is no way they would have found your Ubuntu section on their own.

I urge you to offer Ubuntu as a choice of OSes in the system configuration wizard, the only way to really sell Ubuntu is to offer Ubuntu as a primary option, rather than a hidden alternative. I personally am looking to buy a new laptop, and you guys have always been my number 1 PC manufacturer (I don't think I've ever bought a new retail PC except from you guys), but I feel that your Ubuntu offerings are lacking. If you offered Ubuntu on some of the great deals you offer on your home page, I would be willing to pay just as much as I would for a Windows Vista system and I probably would have already ordered.







158 Comments »

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.
105 Comments »

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





149 Comments »

Linux Kicked Out of the Spotlight

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by daniel117 07/03/07

At the release of a line of computers with Linux, they put Linux in the banner on the home page, but after that, it's like they put Linux in the back room of the website, with other old links in the stinky, old, cobweb-filled room. The only way you can access the Linux link is by only typing in "Linux" or "Ubuntu" or "FreeDOS" in the "Search" box (a.k.a. where you type searches). Dell should make a link for this product, or they would not really see profit in this, because it wouldn't be popular by not being in the front page, and you know what this means (out the window it goes)! 3 Comments »

Ubuntu have put Dell on the front page of their website

Advertising and Marketing submitted by badblood 07/03/07

They also have a whole page advertising your computers.

have a look: www.ubuntu.com< why don't you do the same? 14 Comments »

Give a battery life.

Service and Support, Laptops submitted by wolfvilleian 07/04/07

When customizing a laptop and the battery, show in the side how much battery life we will get with the current configuration. 1 Comment »

Use noise cancelling technology to make Dell PCs quieter

Environment, Desktops and Laptops submitted by turbot 06/19/07

With some careful design, it would be possible for dell to significantly reduce the volume and noise levels of their PCs. 2 Comments »

Additional cosmetic customization options for Inspiron and XPS notebooks.

Inspiron products, Sales Strategies, XPS products submitted by benjesuit 06/24/07

Color panels on the lid is a good start. But one would only get to enjoy that when the lid is down - which isn't often.



Therefore, I propose a range of additional cosmetics choices:

1. Choice of LCD screen bezel surround: (same range of colors for the lid)
2. Choice of Keyboard color (Black, Silver, Gray, White)
3. Choice of Touchpad/button color (same range as keyboard colors)
4. Choice of Keyboard surround color (Same range as lid colors)
5. Choice of LED panel light colors using colored inserts (Blue, cyan, red, green, yellow.) 9 Comments »

Affordable Subnotebook with pre-installed Linux and Flash Harddrive

Linux, New Product Ideas, Laptops submitted by sukw 06/19/07

Dell should offer a notebook similar to the new Eeepc from Asus. The main features have to be:

a pre-installed lean linux

multimedia support as integrated webcam, microphone and all necessary codecs for playind mp3's and DVD's

screen size of 8,9“

weight below 1 kg

work together with skype, that you can offer skype with video support

Flash drive instead of hard drive ( 8 GB should be enough )

card reader

full keyboard

Powerpoint viewer, that you can present your ppt correctly – this is absolutely necessary for business users

Email client

integrated bluetooth and wlan – umts optional

Openoffice

PDF reader

and so on ......

For me that would be the perfect notebook. You can have it always with you and and home you have your powerful desktop machine. 2 Comments »

ADVERTISE LINUX COMPTUERS!

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by usacomputertec 06/19/07

If you want to sell Linux advertise it! Show your support for the Linux community and your faith in it instead of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. 1 Comment »

Edubuntu or K12LTSP on servers for Schools

Education, Sales Strategies, Servers and Storage submitted by jkorz 06/19/07

As a Network Administrator for a large public school, I would like to see servers with K12LTSP or Edubuntu preinstalled (and fully supported). The thin client computing model is becoming very lucrative for school districts with small tech departments because these systems are robust, inexpensive, simple to maintain and can do 95% of what school children need computers for. Dell could offer a bundle of high end servers and thin clients. There could be an option to upgrade to slightly thicker clients that could run LTSP local apps to boost performance.

Schools are going to do this with or without Dell. It makes sense for Dell to get on board rather than be left behind. 5 Comments »

Should Dell recommend five operating systems?

Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by winoffice 06/18/07

By the time Dell began to offer Ubuntu on its computers, it began offering five families of operating systems on home computers (Dimensions and Inspirons): Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux. Also, on servers, it offers Windows Server 2003 and various editons of Linux/Unix (which editions and version numbers I do not know for certain), and now Sun Solaris. So why shouldn't Dell begin reccomending five operating systems -- three for PCs and two for servers? Maybe something like this (change all pages so that they have this heading next to the Dell logo and contact information):

Dell reccomends:
for PCs (desktops, all-in-ones, notebooks):
for Windows Vista: Ultimate edition
for Windows XP: Professional edition
for Unix/Linux: Ubuntu version 7.04
for servers:
for Windows Server 2003: Small Business Server Premium edition
for Unix/Linux: Red Hat Linux, Novell Suse Linux, Sun Solaris, or...? (See note above concerning Linux)

By the way, about servers, Dell does recommend some edition of Windows Server 2003, but this is often buried in the server configuration pages. I suggest that Dell should make the recommendation clearer and easier to find and see for customers, just as it recommends Windows Vista on PCs.

Besides, this way customers would be more informed about all operating systems, not just Windows Vista (this is not intended to suggest that I am against Vista, on the contrary I like it, but honestly, users should be more informed about everything that they may potentially purchase, especially if they made no "default" choice prior to looking for a computer -- or server for that matter).

jmxz recently submitted an idea concerning Sun Solaris and advertising it. There, he suggested that Dell should advertise Sun Solaris, and I agreed with him. So I decided to mention it by editing it. However, concerning Unix/Linux for servers, Dell offers multiple versions, and Ihave not used any and thus I cannot give a recommendation myself. So I decided that other members of the IdeaStorm community comment and tell Dell what version they would see Dell recommend. 7 Comments »

Sell Lattitude Model Laptops with Ubuntu Preinstalled

Latitude products, Linux, Laptops submitted by rollerskatejamms 06/17/07

Some of us use our laptops for work and need something a bit more rugged. It's really awesome that Dell is providing Inspiron's with Ubuntu preinstalled now, but a professional level laptop guaranteed to be Ubuntu compatible would be AMAZING! 1 Comment »

Ubuntu Certified

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by safaci2000 06/19/07

Should dell, start certifying the vast majority of their laptops/towers as being Ubuntu compatible. Not necessarily pre-package Ubuntu on all laptops (though that'd be nice), but just like msft has their certified msft hardware, dell should test out each model they sell and either flag it as compatible or not with Ubuntu. (which odds are, would translate over to most other distributions anyways).

5 Comments »

Ubuntu PCs need more video card options

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by nkmhutirv 06/13/07

Dell desktops and notebooks preloaded with Ubuntu should have more video cards to choose from!

I do not know how Nvidia 7300LE compares to other video cards, but I do not belive TurboCache is suitable even for the most casual gaming.TurboCache's memory sharing technology is just not suitable. Yes, I do play 3d accelerated games from time to time on Ubuntu! You could offer some Nvidia 7600, 7800 or some other medium range video card. Nothing fancy, just something to allow some 3d effects.

Even Dell PCs preloaded with FreeDos have 2 video cards to choose from:

128MB ATI Radeon X1300 [Included in Price]

256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro [add $50 or $2/month1]

With Ubuntu PCs you have to choose between a range of just one video card:

correction: you have 2 options:

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 [Included in Price]

256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache [add $50 or $2/month1]

But what's the difference between them? I want to play games 1-2 years old. I do not belive this will be posible with this kind of cards.

You could say Dell does not address gamers, but Dell's Windows based PCs have a lot more advanced video cards: "Stunning 3D graphics performance with the latest single and dual graphics cards in the market available". Unfortunately such advanced graphics is available only to Vista users, not even XP buyers!

Have you seen the noise (fuzz, amazement) 3d effects in Ubuntu have generated? You see, Ubuntu users appreciate 3d acceleration in Linux. Don't restrict them to just integrated graphics and TurboCache! 5 Comments »

Dell Linux Developer Community

Dell Web Site, Linux, Software submitted by lamar_air 06/18/07

A place where Dell can look for community involvement on Open Source projects.
Any software Dell-Linux offers should be open source, non-proprietary, and be available for community development just like the rest of the Linux World!

Software Engineer – Canada 1 Comment »

Linux Printing Solutions

Linux, Printers and Ink, Service and Support submitted by jfelisky 02/21/07

I have a Dell 3100cn laser printer, which was a nice purchase until I dropped Windows XP and moved to OpenSuSE on my home computer.

I've tried a lot of different message boards looking for a way to keep that printer, but I'm so frustrated with Dell's lack of Linux support that I have to consider HP, since the LaserJet family is more broadly supported. 53 Comments »

Linux promotion

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by alfadaemon 06/19/07

I don't know about you, but I noticed the label that you get when entering the only part of Dell site that you get for sure to see Ubuntu Linux.

The label that you first see on the site (The one with BIGGER LETTERS). I don't know about you but when someone ask me where they can find the "famous" Ubuntu-Dell computer I redirect them to www.dell.com/open, and what do you get in there? I frightening: "Not sure Open Source is for You?" What's this kind of marketing? You tell someone, hey there is Dell selling Linux computers but if you not sure if Linux is for you, come get a Windows PC!!!!

I believe that Linux is not only for the "Already an Open Source fan", Ubuntu, and Linux, is ready for much more of that. Why don't change that with something that motivate people to search and get involved in the Linux world?

I know that Dell is getting more $$$ for the Windows' computers, but I don't think this is the right way to promote a "new" product. Comment »