Operating Systems - Multiboot Ideas
Pre-Installed Linux | Ubuntu | Fedora | OpenSUSE | Multi-Boot
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Offer the 3 top free Linux versions for free pre-installation on all Dell PCs.
Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. For example OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC. Cast your vote for OpenOffice and other free software.
Offer easy multi-boot options with Windows Vista, Windows XP, or NO Windows (yes, Linux can entirely replace Windows!)
Offer trade-ins and Linux CDs for older model Dell PCs. Cast your vote for the mini Linux Dell PC and the Universal Education Dell PC, both utilizing free software.
Would you try Linux if it were this easy?
CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.
Please take a look at www.dell.com/open for linux options on the Inspiron.
151680
Live Boot
Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by jprin3
Jul 14
I thought of this when i Dual-Booted my laptop, what if you could switch from Ubuntu to Vista in 1 click, and in under 1 second? I had a load of viruses on my laptop and had lost the recovery cd so I installed ubuntu and sorted windows out, but the annoying thing now is that i have a load of files that can only be read in ubuntu that i need in vista and vice-versa. This would be very helpful for peope who want to get the most out of each OS, eg. Games on windows, iPhone SDK on Mac Leopard, and the brilliant built-in security and open-sourceness of Ubuntu.
30
Unleash the full potential of Linux's multi-user capabilities: Ubuntu + Ndiyo's Hubster
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Desktops and Laptops submitted by limulus
08/02/07
When you think of a Windows machine, generally speaking, its a box connected to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, which one user uses at a time. Dell's Desktop Ubuntu machines are currently shipped the same way.
But Ubuntu is Linux and so has the potential for many users to use the same computer at the same time, as is done with a server.
Imagine if you will being able to buy a single computer and everyone in the house can use it at the same time; no more fighting over who gets to use it when or who gets stuck using the old computer if there is another one. This is the exciting potential of Ndiyo's Hubster.
"Hubster is the first ultra-thin-client terminal with completely user-configurable hardware"
* plug a USB hub into your computer
* plug the Hubster, a USB keyboard and mouse into the hub
* plug a monitor into the Hubster
and you have a Terminal that behaves just as if it were its own computer. Repeat the process for a second Terminal, etc.
Some new monitors will even have the hub built right in to make it that much easier.
Watch the demo video on their page and be as awe-struck as I was :-)
AFAIK, there is nothing currently like this offered by any major OEM; if Dell were to get it to market I'm sure many families would want one!
280
Open Source, Debian
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by gplgeek
02/20/07
We really need a option to not ship any OS with the system, or be able to choose Debian pre-installed.
All systems should have NATIVE and preferably open drivers where possible. For example, wifi drivers should be open, or provided by the kernel. Kernel.org offers to code drivers free if given specs by companies so there is no reason we should not have a stable and compatible system.
Most of my friends are moving to linux for gaming, as I have, but I do admit that I use other os's from time to time to play legacy games... For this reason maybe you should have checkboxes so that people can select the os's that they want.
I'm sure they would be satisfied with a install cd, or even netboot image, in fact you could put many net-boot installers on a multi-boot dvd and in one disk easily allow the installation of debian, debian testing (etch), Fedora, OpenSuse, Ubuntu, Freedos, Reactos, FreeBSD, DragonFly BSD, etc.
I am not opposed to offering Microsoft products to users but having any OS be a default OS, or exclusively ship with a PC, screams anti-trade to me.
941
Renegotiate your Microsoft contracts.
Dell, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Software submitted by jmxz
05/07/07
Of the profit in a PC you sell, consider how much of the profit goes to the OS vendor.
Looking at the quarterly reports for Microsoft it seems that there's quite a bit of room between what you pay them and what they need to still make a profit.
Start treating Microsoft the same way you treat the rest of your software vendors --- make them pay for the exposure they get for being pre-installed on a Dell. And, like the rest of your software vendors, make them make money off of the upgrades from their Basic versions of the software to the full ones. And, like some of the rest of your software vendors, make them share some of that upgrade revenue back to you.
There are many reasons they should accept such a proposal:
First, remember how important DELL is to making Vista a success. Keep posting lies about Vista being better than it is (http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66173 , http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67016/ ) and Vista will succeed at the expense of your credibility. For this, THEY charge YOU money?!? Tell Microsoft that you'll start being honest and recommending that customers choose XP for gaming and Linux for Security, and you'll see how much they'll be begging/paying you to support Vista.
Secondly, consider the long term. There are only so many dollars of profit in a PC that the market will support. Chip and component companies get a piece of this. Software vendors get a piece of this. You get the remainder. Your long term hope for profits demand that the software and chip parts of this equation stay small. Apple has an easy time because they collect both the software and the system manufacturer parts. For Dell, your best hope of competing with Apple would be to either get part of the software piece (http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/64581) or minimize the profits of the software vendors by making them pay you instead of you paying them.
The way today's market looks to me, it seems like you should be insisting that Microsoft sell you a deeply discounted XP for as long as your customers want it --- and for them to pay you for inflicting Vista on the world, just as the rest of your crippleware vendors pay you for the exposure.
But to do that, you first have to prove to them that Ubuntu is a viable alternative, or else they'll call your bluff.
If you can show that Ubuntu could replace them, all their profit can be yours.
490
Preinstalled Multiboot OS (Linux and XP)
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by coiledwire
02/24/07
I am so amaze that all this people (90% of them (I am pretty) sure never used linux) want suddenly LINUX.
I am not AGAINST LINUX at all. But we need to baby step toward LINUX. dell should offer preinstalled XP and LINUX to make peoples life easy.
- Do u guys know that U have to be PROGRAMMER in order to use current LINUX.
- lots of HARDWARE dont have linux drivers (not linux fault)
- DELL will need one hack of customer service if only Linux is offered (not every person is programmer).
That is why I suggest they should offer preinstalled Linux and XP for smooth transition.
300
Dual boot Windows and Linux
Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by randomperson
06/19/07
Everytime I get a new laptop or desktop, I usually resize my partitions so I can dual boot windows and linux. Ubuntu is a great OS for people to start learning linux. This way you have the best of both worlds. Users would not have to worry about their software being compatible with their OS. I do not know any other company that offers this and would make Dell stand out as doing something different.
600
Multi-boot
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by james_r_darnall
03/21/07
The need for Windows is clear for some applications and installations. On the other hand, Linux has many advantages that users need to be aware of. Dell might consider offering Windows and two or three flavors of Linux in several preconfigured combinations. For example, Windows by itself (default) or Windows with one of one Linux systems or various flavors of Linux only.
For single disk systems where two or more operating systems are requested, the main disk is partitioned; for multi-disk systems, an OS can be configured on each disk or one disk can be partitioned. At boot-up time, a boot manager, such as the Grand-Unified-Boot loader can be used to select what OS the user wants to come up in.
It is important that users be informed that Linux can mount and access Windows partitions to exchange information as needed. That is, files can be copied from and to Linux and Windows partitions.
Since partitioning requires work and foresight, Dell should charge the customer some fee. This is a grand experiment which may impact users the world over and Dell should be commended and paid well in the attempt. Dell can provide support for multi-boot and partitioning. Normal support channels for Windows and the Linux vendor should have some arrangement for supporting its distribution.
130
Dual Boot/VM Support Option
Operating Systems, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by nobbewan
07/30/07
Offer Dual Boot as an option with GRUB. GRUB is getting a facelift via GSoC, and this would be nice to fight off boot camp for mac. Additionally you could offer VM support out of the box, maybe something like a VM of Vista/XP to run in (K)ubuntu or vice versa. This could be done through VM Player or one of the new VM options that were just introduced into the Linux Kernel.
Dell supporting linux is going to change a lot of things, and this is going to be very apparent for web developers soon with Safari just released on Windows and Webkit possibly making it into KDE 4.1. It will be essential that everyone can develop easily for these new possibilities.
180
Easy Dual Boot Option
Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by brheitner
Feb 14
IF Dell cannot have pre-configured Dual Boot Systems sold with both Ubuntu/Vista.
Can Dell include a utility to "MAKE IT EASIER" for the most basic of users to optionally install another OS?
EX- A utility that backop the HD, partions the drive, installs the Grub, Lilo or Custom Dell Boot Selector and then allows the user to install the new OS (EX: Dell Vista machine including the utility then the user can easily install Ubuntu without the "Fear" of running an ubuntu Live CD to partition the hard drive and install).
290
Support Windows XP By Posting Drivers for PCs with Vista
Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by gear
Apr 15
Now that the decision has been made by Microsoft to keep XP Home and other editions on the market at least until 2010, it is time to do more to add value to Dell's product and take advantage of your build to order model.
Recently, it is noted that:
a) the Inspiron 1520 has been brought back with XP for the home market.
This need to be greatly expanded with XP available pre-installed on every PC sold by Dell. The build to order model is indifferent to it.
b) Retail machines sold at Best Buy, etc. need to come with XP and not just Vista.
Want to be real brilliant? Find a way with Microsoft so that customer can choose whether they want Vista or XP installed when they first boot up a new machine. Make the choice revocable so that a customer can always change their mind later if they made the wrong decision.
c) Dell need to support their customers who had the misfortune to have bought Vista based machines before the full extent of the Vista disaster (few drivers that work properly, etc.) were known.
There are many people out there who have machines that were bought that cannot do what it was intended to do because of the failings of Vista.
Specifically, Dell need to make available "unofficially" or officially, XP drivers for all machines that are shipped with Vista to date.
While Dell can elect not to support these machine's software if they are reinstalled with Windows XP, providing the drivers is a must.
What Dell can do is to make clear what devices will work, what wouldn't work if XP were installed on it, and how much functionality a user converting a Vista machine to XP can expect.
If Dell is real clever, they would offer to these loyal customers the option of either downloading the drivers from the website, or alternatively, having the drivers / application programs disks mailed to them for a nominal cost.
Want to be real smart? Sell a retrofit kit including a copy of Windows XP (Upgrade edition) so users can easily upgrade their Vista machines to Windows XP.
-------------------
FYI, I bought an Inspiron 1525 at retail and converted it to XP myself.
The problem was difficult if you wanted to use AHCI rather than ATA compatibility mode. (Had to create my own boot disk from the XP disks).
I got it working, but had to hunt for drivers from the Inspiron 1520 (not all of them work properly), the Latitute D820 (some work), and then, some of the Inspiron 1525 drivers work with both Vista and XP.
As it stands, your competitors Fujitsu and Sony are both shipping XP installation disks and drivers with every Vista Business machine shipped.
Give customers a reason to choose build to order by offering something that is simply not available from your competitors HP, etc.
240
Dell multi booter software
Operating Systems - Multiboot, Software submitted by pro2ghz
Apr 1
Create your own Dell multi booter software.
OK, maybe im not clear.
Dell, should make this multi OS booter software, which in the beginning, when you open ur computer the software window( of the multibooter software comes up) and asks you which OS you want to use.
make it simple, straght to the point yet as John Maeda points out complex to do many thing yet simple and slick.
comment if im not clear.
and yes I know these software are already out there BUT let DELL make which I hope will be easy to use and already preloaded.
100
Microsoft now lets Dell n-Series be used for volume licensing.
Dell, Operating Systems, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by jmxz
10/03/07
Seems Microsoft has a "new licensing program" for "Fake and Pirated" Windows users Microsoft expects to support its Windows XP operating system for the foreseeable future, the company on Tuesday introduced a new licensing program designed to let users of fake or pirated copies of the business version of the OS upgrade
...a volume licensing contract that will allow them to replace fake or "mislicensed" copies of Windows XP Professional with legitimate versions. This is interesting for Dell for a couple reasons. - It makes the Dell open source pages a bit misleading where they have large bold paragraphs about " not qualified for Windows licensing use under any existing Microsoft Volume Licensing Program", and "Customers interested in a Microsoft® Windows® solution should purchase a Dell notebook pre-loaded with Windows XP Professional.". Idea:Perhaps Dell should add "or you can be eligible for volume licensing if you install a pirated Windows"
- If Microsoft's supporting pirated versions, that seems unfair for customers who pay full price for Dell for licensed versions. Idea: Perhaps you should tell Microsoft to stop this program because it's unfair to your paying customers.
PS: IdeaStorm needs a Windows category. I'm misfiling it under Multiboot.
110
Ubuntu & Win XP Dual boot; Open office and Firefox /Thunderbird
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Desktops and Laptops submitted by bsteff
02/20/07
Sell desktops (and yes laptops) with dual boot of Ubuntu AND Win XP. My particular work environment cannot tolerate Vista and I don't like the control Microsoft is attempting to exert over my PC. Consumers are NOT mindless idiots!!! GEt rid of DRM. I will gladly pay for digital content and I will not sell/give it to a friend or acquaintance (read pirate/thief). GWA is bad enough with threats from Microsoft to crank up the pressure on non-genuine PC's. I am a physician and I control, to a large extent, at my hospital system what type of software we get in the form of PACS (computerized x-ray digital image viewing on local PC's - thin client) Almost all of imaging is now digital.
The threat of Microsoft DRM degrading images used for the critical diagnosis of patients is intolerable such that we are exerting considerable pressure on vendors to provide clients that run under open source. Why open source? Simplyu because it puts us back in control. If images are degraded and critical diagnoses missed, we docs and our patients are going to pay the price. Ubuntu, and other GUI's of LInux (such as Xandros) can let us avoid this. I run Ubuntu routinely and find it dependable and easy to use. I can trust it. Microsoft has lost my last shred of trust with Vista and its DRM and driver situation.
On another front, we in medicine are under tremendous pressure to cut costs. For a faculty of over 400 at my medical school and staff of about 1500, the cost of MS Office is tremendous. Open Office Org. software is a great help in this regared and even has features that MS Office does not offer. MS has lost our trust. We will probably all use Open Office Org in the future - so why not offer it as loaded at purchase time. I would be willing to pay a nominal fee, say $30-50 for the loading up of the software on my PC so htat i can use it immediately when I receive it.
Dell should know that the loading of all the JUNK software that comes on my PC's from Dell is a Large factor in my reluctance to order new PC's at shorter intervals, no matter what the technical hardware advances.
Brad A. Steffler, MD
Medical School Professor
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