Software Ideas
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
19900
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/17/07
Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)
OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System
Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.
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.
137179
No Extra Software Option
Software submitted by ootleman
02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.
Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.
119704
Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
Software submitted by robinjfisher
02/19/07 **REVIEWED**
Does what it says on the tin! Most people only use IE because they aren't aware of other browsers - they think Internet Explorer is the Internet! What would really drive take up of alternative browsers is if Firefox was pre-installed as the default browser so that when people look for the "Internet" in Windows, they are using FF.
Firefox advocates at Dell have initiated discussions and driven action around exploring alternative internet browsers and experiences. As you can tell from our response to the Linux community, open source continues to be a part of our conversations about new products and services.
115173
speed dialing
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by bari4896
May 11
Isn't it strange how, the faster things go, the more impatient we are?
Is there a way (there should be!) to "speed dial" frequently used sites without accessing the bookmark and then having to log into it. A separate data device that plugs into a usb could store all the data and run through the steps at a touch
80
Allow Anti-Virus as Optional
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by rgb66rgb
09/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Some purchasers already have subscriptions to anti-virus products that can be ported to new systems. Not having a 'no anti-virus' option on every system order page forces those users to essentially buy two licenses when only one machine will be used.
2520
Full Linux
Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by fgarpe
02/26/07
Ubuntu for Desktop enviroinements, Debian for Servers, free and Open Source software for base install, OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird...
No XP, no Vista, no M$ Software
1030
Automatic driver download for our Dell systems
Dell Web Site, Software submitted by sr45
03/11/07
I believe Dell might want to consider a way to scan our Dell systems, that will determine what you have, what version of the device driver you have, and then offer you the opportunity to install an update if it finds one.
Right now, new computer users are having a difficult time under stand the driver download site for their system, and which drivers to download.
210
Let Us Build A PC Without Microsoft Works or Office!
Software submitted by aikiwolfie
12/22/07
Dell I have absolutely no need for Microsoft Works 8.0. Especially on a PC designed for multimedia entertainment! Please give me the option of having a PC without any office software at all.
Please SIMPLIFY MY IT experience by giving me the opportunity to avoid the uninstall process.
1940
Crapware
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by mcneiljohn
05/06/07
Completely eliminate all crapware on new computers, but provide access to all trial software versions on a dvd requiring conscious action by the user to install and provide a booklet with a brief description of the promoted products.
I will shortly replace my aging Inspiron 8000 and hope to not be initially frustrated by having to remove unnecessary and unwanted programs.
3320
Dell Charges $49 to Remove Their Own Spyware
Dell, Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by thebittersea
05/07/07
I recently purchased a new Dell computer. Previously I made a promise with myself to never purchase a Windows based computer again, but due to work-related complications I had no choice. The Dell arrived three days after I ordered it, which was great considering the shipping was free.
Fearing that my computer would become infected with a virus within 12 minutes, my first line of order was to purchase and install anti-virus software. Once that was finished, my next task was to delete the unnecessary programs that come pre-installed on the machine. Having purchased a Dell before, I was well aware that Dell computers ship full of bloat. I anticipated to find garbage such as AOL coach, Dell Picture Studio and Internet Explorer. What I was shocked to find, however, was My Way Search Assistant.
For those of you recently in a coma (or those of you that use a Mac or Linux), My Way is a spyware program that claims to block pop-ups and provide other nice features for users on the web. In reality, My Way spies on your browsing habits and reports this information to a central server so that customized ads can be delivered to your machine.
I’ve been a fan of Michael Dell for about ten years since I read an article about him in Reader’s Digest. Not wanting to believe that my friend Michael would allow this garbage to be installed on computers that bare his name, I assumed that somehow a virus had snuck its way onto my machine in the ten minute window where my computer was without anti-virus software. Sadly, Google search after Google search revealed that in fact Dell is being paid to pre-install this filth on their machines.
I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Michael Dell, how could you allow this to happen? It really hurts to see a former hero *sarcasm* falter like this. Now I know how fans of Tom Cruise must be feeling. :-) Michael, I thought I knew thee so well!
After spending an hour in shock and mourning, I gathered myself off the floor to remove the program from my machine. I opened the control panel and selected “Add or Remove Programs.” After removing My Way, I was told that I would have to reboot my computer. A quick reboot later and I was back in the control panel. At this point I was ready to forget the entire ordeal and move on with my life.
Looking back on it, I should have known there would be more problems. If only I had paid more attention to the screeching violins that could be heard in the background. That’s right, My Way still appeared in the “Add or Remove Programs” window. However, this time around there was no uninstall button. My Way appeared to be permanently on my machine.
Having read that Adaware can remove My Way, I downloaded, installed and ran Adaware from Lavasoft. Perhaps because My Way had already partially removed itself, Adaware was unable to detect My Way on the machine. It was time to call Dell support.
After a 30 minute wait on hold, a man with an Indian accent who asked to be called Stewart answered the phone. Our (abbreviated) conversation went something like this:
-----------------------
Stewart: What seems to be the problem?
Me: I’d like to remove My Way Search Assistant from my computer. I tried to remove it through the Control Panel, but it still appears in “Add or Remove Programs.”
Stewart: What do you know about this program?
Me: I know that this is Spyware and I know that I want it off my machine.
Stewart: How did My Way get onto your computer in the first place?
Me: What do you mean? It came pre-installed when I bought my computer from Dell.
Stewart: I have trouble believing that this was on your computer when you purchased it.
Me: So do I Stewart, so do I.
-----------------------
Obviously Stewart is not very up to date with the sotware Dell pre-installs on their computers. If anybody doubts that Dell has a relationships with My Way, one only need visit http://www.dell4me.com/myway< then explained that he would no longer be able to assist me with my problem. He indicated that I would need to contact software support services for help removing the spyware that Dell installed on my machine. Oh yeah, and he indicated that they would charge my credit card for the call. $49, specifically.
What Dell is doing should be illegal. They are being paid to install spyware on new computers. They are making it difficult for customers to remove the spyware on their own. Then, they charge $49 to teach you how to remove it. This would be like a doctor being paid to infect you with a disease and then charging you for the antidote.
Dell claims that people like me are overreacting, but a lot of people seem to disagree.
If you feel comfortable messing with the Windows registry, here are some instructions on how to remove My Way. More information can also be found on the Dell forums.
I’m responsible for the purchase of eight Dell computers for myself, friends and family in the past few years. After this ordeal, I will never again purchase a Dell. I will never again recommend that anybody else purchase a Dell. In fact, from this point forward I will go out of my way to recommend that people looking to purchase a computer avoid Dell altogether. I doubt that I’m alone. With practices like these, Dell shouldn’t be surprised to hear its customers say, “Dude, you’re getting a boycott.”
790
No OEM Junk software, revival of recovery DVD/CD's NOT partitions
Desktops, Software submitted by mgin2k3
05/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
First, I hate it when I buy a computer and right when I turn it on out of the box, it's got a lot of junk software installed (AOL trial, Nortion Anti-Virus trial, etc). Get rid of these trial and non-trial OEM softwares or at least give the customer the option of not having them installed. I end up wasting so much time trying to uninstall all this junk anyways and I'm sure I'm not alone. I like having a clean install when I get a new computer (or when I'm recovering). And by clean I mean Windows (or whatever other OS the user may enjoy) and NOTHING else. Secondary OEM software can be included on a separate disc for the user to select manual installation (or request preinstallation of for new purchase orders).
Secondly, recovery partitions are terrible. Aside from the fact that they waste harddisc space, if the harddrive were to become toast or to be upgraded, not only would the user lose the original installation, but they would also lose the recovery data. Has this single point of failure not come to anyone's attention? CD's and DVD's can be preciously taken care and you never have to worry about losing both the installation and recovery partition all at once.
870
video cards and drivers
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Dell Web Site, Software submitted by learmont
05/04/07
request about support for video cards in laptops. I have a basically brand new Inspirion 9400 with the raedon x1400 video card. I want to play Everquest on the laptop. However, the latest driver that I can get from Dell is version 6618. To play, I must have version 6666. ATI will not let me download the driver update from their site. They say to talk to the laptop maunfacturer. The 9400 is a replacement for a balky E1705 that I bought in Oct 2006. I was playing Everquest on the E1705 until there was a crash for other reasons. Now the game has been updated to a new video standard and will not initialize at all. Without the driver, I have two everquest accounts that I cannot access. Dell needs to put the driver on their website for download even if they have to strongarm ATI for the necessary codes.
160
PowerConnect Feature REQUEST!
Servers and Storage, Software submitted by maguu
Apr 16
hi
it would be nice if dell adds some additional features to it's power connect switch series!
1st
Layer 2 Security enhancement
Dynamic ARP Inspection (see cisco for implementation details)
2nd
switchport protected
protected ports cannot communicate with each other
(for example useful in a dmz network there you want that your servers cannot communicate with each other only with the firewall...)
3rd
dynamic vlan assignment via radius
get your switch software ready for NAP, NAC
support dynamic vlan assignment over radius!!! (RFC2868)
4th
support DHCP Option 82
includes switch id in a dhcp request packet
thx
150
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