Better selection of Linux notebooks
Linux submitted by kasoroth
08/07/07
An Ubuntu notebook with higher specs would be nice. At a minimum, I'd want a decent monitor option (1920x1200 resolution), a decent NVIDIA video card option, and gigabit ethernet. I'd also prefer an AMD processor, and a price point about $50 less than an equivalent Windows system.
2310
http://www.dell.com/open shouldn't steer people towards Windows
Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by limulus
08/02/07
If I want to look at the open source offerings on Dell's site, there's a nice short URL that redirects to the appropriate page: http://www.dell.com/open
However, some of the wording on the page sounds like it was written to DISCOURAGE people from buying those systems and steer them towards Windows; an excerpt:
---
Not sure Open Source is for You?
The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don’t get a Windows® operating system. If you’re here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link.
Shop Dell PCs with Windows
---
To make the page better:
* remove the "Not sure Open Source is for You?" and "Already an Open Source fan?" sections or change them to something like this:
---
New to Open Source?
A very important thing for people familiar with Microsoft Windows® but new to open source to note before buying is that it is an alternative to Windows®, not a cheap version of Windows®. Programs specifically designed to run on Windows® will NOT run by default on Dell's open source systems. If you want to run programs such as "Microsoft Office® 2007", "Adobe Photoshop® CS3", "iTunes® 7.3" and "The Sims® 2" you're in the wrong place! (Dell's Windows® systems may be found here.)
If you already knew that or are ok with it, please continue shopping below...
---
* if its to be kept, move the "You asked, we listened." part down into the Ubuntu description, but get rid of the "advanced users and tech enthusiasts" mention; installing an OS (regardless of the OS) is usually the most difficult step (and one not done by 'average users') but Dell has done all the hard work (most notably by selecting compatible hardware) and after that Ubuntu is really not that hard to use :)
* in the "What Is Open Source?" section, the following sentence needs work: "A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use, and in the case of operating systems, may not be compatible with the same software applications and hardware as Windows operating systems."
What is the reference for "advanced knowledge to use"? Are we talking about the command line? Ubuntu can be used without ever seeing it. Perhaps consider striking that. The real meat of the issue, of course, is that Windows embraces proprietary things and its an uphill battle to try to support them in an open OS. Perhaps use the following:
"A downside is that consumer software applications and hardware choices which are compatible with the proprietary Windows operating system may not work in an open source environment or may require significant tweaking to make them work."
(for software, the tweaking is a reference to Wine... for the hardware, we can hope for support in future Ubuntu versions ;)
2260
Dell - explain yourself! What happened to preinstalling Firefox?
Software submitted by johnnyk
10/09/07
Edit: Please do not continue to promote this article
The disappearance of the "Under Review" tag from the ideastorm page requesting that Dell preinstall Firefox was the result of a technical error. It has been corrected. Let the records show that Dell is still considering preinstalling Firefox.
Thank you Dell for making this clear to the Firefox community. And...I'm sorry I jumped the gun. Still friends? :)
200
Dell: Note the positive PR your Ubuntu stuff gets you - front page NY Times Online article on Ubuntu/Dell
Linux submitted by jmxz
10/04/07
This Dell/Ubuntu article made the NYTimes Online front page.
 The New York Times
The Next Leap for Linux
Published: October 4, 2007
Dell is testing the waters with a Linux-equipped notebook computer, in a challenge to Microsoft and Apple.
...
Until recently, major PC makers shied away from Linux. Now the industry is watching as Dell is selling two Linux-equipped desktop models ...and a ...notebook PC. (Hewlett-Packard offers Linux systems to businesses, and Lenovo, the Chinese company that bought I.B.M.’s PC division, sells Linux machines in China and says it will soon offer Linux-based computers in the United States.)
... Now if only Dell would offer it on some more desirable systems (looking for a quad-core desktop now); and price it competitively internationally (where they still charge a few hundred dollar premium), this Linux effort might have a chance of working. The Idea is that Dell should take note of the positive PR and continue the PR efforts around it. Ubuntu+Dell is a newsworthy topic of interest to the mainstream media today.
590
Give us a -LIVE- list of LINKS to ALL updates relevant to IdeaStorm issues!
IdeaStorm submitted by phubert
10/12/07
Give us a list of LINKS to info updates so we can access them FROM this site, rather than bouncing to "Ideas in Action" (which seems to heave nearly nothing), "Moderator Update" (more so) or Direct2Dell.
Yes, even if it's an INTERVIEW such as the one linked below!
Make it a list of links to updates the user -hasn't visited-!! (= 'live' list)
210
A simple "Why Ubuntu?" webpage on your site that's easily accessible
Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by benjesuit
06/25/07
A webpage that lists all the merits and capabilities of Ubuntu called "Why Ubuntu?" To help consumers at least get a better understanding of it.
It should include:
- screen shots of Ubuntu.
- All the software (especially open office, firefox, evolution, gimp, rythmbox,F-spot) included w/ popup links to screen shots
- Popup of repository of software available.
- List of third party commercial software available
- Highlight of Codeweavers Crossover (allows many MS apps to run under Linux)
C'mon Dell, give Ubuntu the old college try.
560
Dell and Linux - for the doubters
Linux submitted by phubert
10/12/07
Well, dell_admins, this ISN'T an IDEA.
Still, I think it's something IdeaStorm people (and others) should read.
I've posted some of these things elsewhere and we've comments galore throughout the site.
Maybe we could concentrate discussion IN this thread.
???
The LXer Interview: John Hull of Dell
It has been over four months since Dell started shipping computers preloaded with Ubuntu GNU/Linux to home consumers in the United States. Lets take a moment to look at the progress that has been made so far. John Hull, manager of the Linux Engineering team in Austin was kind enough to let me interview him by e-mail. Besides commenting on the current state of affairs with Ubuntu on Dell machines, he also offers some insight in how the Linux team at Dell works and opens a small window into the future of Linux at Dell.
http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/91429/index.html
240
put open office in options such as office
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by siger
09/19/07
in options for a computer there are different versions f microsoft office , but why not putting open office, to offer more choice. it is also less expensive than office, and it could be interesting for students or persons who don't want to spend a lot of money.
720
Hidden USB
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by luscombe
10/07/07
I use some programs that requiere a usb key, as well as my wireless mouse.
Thats means there is something sticking out of my usb port at all times, getting bend and messing up the port.
I'll like to see a space under the laptop with a little cover, that once removed provides acces to at least 2 usb ports.
That way I could live my usb key and mouse fob on it at all times without them getting busted.
360
Dell; PROMOTE Linux and OSS in Education
Advertising and Marketing, Education, Linux submitted by phubert
09/24/07
*
Learning Linux and _using_ OSS in education at all levels (primary, middle school, secondary, college and university, trades) will provide BETTER, FOUNDATIONAL education than the proprietary alternatives (Windows and Apple OS).
*
In addition this will result in significant cost savings for schools.
*
My original idea was _merged_ with one that did _not_ address these points!
670
Ubuntu on 12.1 or 13.3 inch laptops
Linux, Laptops submitted by miceagol
05/31/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Preload Ubuntu on your 12.1 (XPS M1210) or 13.3 inch (XPS M1330) laptops. As it is now, there's only one choice for a laptop, and that choice is not a light laptop. The 12.1 inch and 13.3 inch laptops are much better to carry around than heavy 15 inch++ laptops.
Check out the Idea in Action update.
10200
Opteron Based Workstation
Servers and Storage, Precision Workstations submitted by gavin
10/15/07
Dell has some great blade and server based opteron machines. Often Opteron processors are seen to be superior for high memory floating point based operation such as CFD and FEA. Has Dell considered asselmbling a workstation product using Opteron Processors, high end graphics cards, and large Raid 1/Raid10 SAS Hard Drives in a linux system?
70
XPS M1730 + university/educational purchase program
Education, XPS products submitted by jcritter
10/11/07
Dell, please allow the new XPS M1730 notebook to be purchased through Dell university/educational members purchase program.
As a gaming rig, a core audience intrested in it would be college students, who would like an opportunity to purchase this hardware, but might be daunted by the current pricetag.
also, it would be incredibly useful to students and professors who are not only gamers, but also involved in newly developing game design programs at universities, who would be using the hardware for multi-media intensive programs and projects as well.
140
Ad Campaign: What can you do with Ubuntu?
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by limulus
09/04/07
There are currently ideas under review, such as "make ubuntu shine" which relate to advertising Dell's Ubuntu systems. If Dell decides to do some ads, here's an idea for an ad campaign:
"What can you do with Ubuntu?"
Find one or more people who have bought a Dell Ubuntu system and have them show off what they can do with their systems; string the clips those together into a commercial. Some themes that should become obvious:
* easy software installation and updates
* command line not necessary (Ubuntu is very much a GUI OS)
* compiling software not necessary
* full range of applications
* 3rd party proprietary apps, like Flash and Google Earth
* all the little games you could ever want (e.g. Sudoku)
* 'it just works'
* "wobbly windows" and other spiffy cool effects for fun :)
[see also my other ad campaign ideas: Families Switching to Ubuntu and Meet Mark Shuttleworth ]
1730
 track my votes
|
|
jackie_c
kara_k
dawn_l