Become the open source OEM

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34028

Become the open source OEM

34028 points posted to Linux, Desktops and Laptops by ntaylor0909 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I read the same question on Linux forums, all the time: What is the best brand of computer/laptop to purchase for Linux. I know that there is the n series of computers and notebooks, but it could go a step further. Accept the recent offer of free Linux driver development from the Linux Kernel Community so that DELLs "just work" with Linux. Maybe look at some ideas like LinuxBIOS and/or OpenBIOS. Become the OEM that everyone recommends. There is a growing market for Open Source friendly computers and DELL could own that market.

In the past year, we've made a lot of progress on getting Linux to work well on all of our products. Our goal is to become the hardware vendor of choice for Linux users. Click here to learn more from john_h.

amaroker 02/19/07	Providing a platform (easily configurable BIOS, compatible hardware configuration) that provides the most flexibility for any user will surely create a buzz in the open source community.
limerat 02/20/07	It sure would. There are millions of Linux users out there...And if Dell stepped up to the OEM plate and included clever advertising with Tux, the Linux mascot,there could be millions more,easy. With Linux now getting a universal installer (Linspire's CNR),the future looks bright for Linux and could be a lot brighter for Dell as well.
makeiteasy 02/20/07	There's still time to take the First Mover position here.
groffliers 02/21/07	ok
chrismounce 02/21/07	Yes! There is _no reason_ not to do this. The open source community wins, Dell becomes the best off-the-shelf computer to use with Linux, and the customer gets a computer that's easy to use.
burgresso 02/21/07	This is a good idea. I think Linux is the next (really) big thing; if Dell where to position itself as the open source OEM it could pay huge dividents when Linux hits the mainstream.
kboutelle 02/21/07	I agree that this is the best way for Dell to become "the" hardware provider and first line of support for new and casual if not more advanced Linux users. This is a great win-win opportunity for Dell and the OpenSource community.
kdean06 02/21/07	This may be a duplicate, but I'd like Dell to see my opinion on every relevant thread, so I'll post here. I urge Dell to sell computers with Free Operating systems! I do not use computers that run restrictive software on them, and as such, I'd never buy one. If, however, Dell shipped AND supported GNU/Linux (for instance) running drivers that were Free Software (none of those non-Free, binary only drivers!) I would drop the money on Dell products. For users who are allergic to the mention of the ethical issues, Dell supporting Free Software would be them also supporting Open Source. EVERYONE running GNU/Linux benefits from that. But DELL know that for some, supporting "Open" software alone is locking out customers, just as Windows only is.
speedy 02/21/07	GREAT IDEA! DELL can became the first OpenHardware and OpenSoftware vendor. I promote voluntary DELL if it decide that!
valeryan_24 02/25/07	Opensource softwares and hardwares (bios, drivers...) are being developped and used more and more, by personal users, companies, administrations, a lot of firms make money by providing support for opensource. Dell, as 1st PCs' seller in the world, can no longer more ignore the opensource community.
markofealing 02/25/07	I run Ubuntu 6.10 and Kubuntu on Dell Laptops and PCs, and hardware support is pretty good out of the box, but this is no thanks to Dell! For very little effort and no cost to Dell, they could open up a whole new market for themselves and embrace Linux like HP who are now #1 in the world.
upstreme 02/26/07	We are using Linux on the desktop/laptop, and are waiting for the first reliable US vendor to step to the plate and offer a pre-installed, tested, and supported machine. I would love to have the full-force of Dell behind me for support. I recognize that you probably have a fairly restrictive (legally binding) deal for your current OS distribution... and I would suspect Novell becomes very appealing because of their recent deal. That same legally binding OS distribution agreement you have may even preclude anything other than Novell. So, I would only ask that you continue your work with other Linux distro's and 1) continue to provide an OS-free variation, and 2) provide a list of compatible variations with the complete, appropriate setup instructions.
jonathanorlev 02/27/07	I absolutely support that. When all brand names are so much a like, this can dramatically differentiate Dell from the rest. As I see it, Dell should offer Linux version of their PC, both for home and business use. The basic is this: They should consider thoroughly, and choose carefully, the best Linux distro they think is the most suitable for their customers. They should probably consider different distros for home and business use. Then, they can take the distro, and create a _brand name_ distro for them self. They can call it DellLinux, or DellOS or something like that. Then, they can distribute it with the computers just as they do with Linux. There are at least three advantages I can think of which make it a good opportunity for Dell: 1. Since most Linux users are 'power users', they are more influential, both for the home and business market. Therefore, Dell will receive a positive buzz, and will dramatically increase their public appreciation. Further more, since there is currently no single brand name PCs vendor that support Linux, Dell can be the first (and for a while the only) computer company to do so. They will be the preferable choice for anyone needing a Linux PC. I think it can do well for their direct sales and brand name. 2. They will create a whole new market for Dell devices and products. They can even create a DellOS sub-domain. Remember that Linux is free, but it does not mean that it cannot be branded and tailored for the specific needs of a specific vendor such as Dell. 3. The can further reduce the cost of Dell computers, and maybe sell them to markets that are currently being limited by Microsoft. If someone from want to contact me, feel free to do so. I am not a professional and have no business interest here. My email address: JonathanOrlev_REMOVEME_@gmail.com
jonathanorlev 02/27/07	There is another thing I want to say here: As I see it, the main reason that Linux distro are lugging behind Windows is the luck of drivers. This is a classic chicken or the egg paradox: Since there are not enough drivers, Linux lugs behind. Since it lugs behind, there are not enough users (more importantly: home users), so manufactures do not develop device drivers, so users don't want to use Linux, etc'. If Dell will support Linux by choosing and customizing one or more distros, or create there one distro (DellOS) based on another distro such as Ubuntu, this will dramatically increase the installation base of Linux, and therefore hardware developers will create device drivers for their devices, which sill increase the public demand for Linux, and therefore the installation base, which will create more demand for hardware being supported by Linux, and so on.
dingus9 02/28/07	An openBIOS would help so much, especially when installing a non Windows OS. I don't think however DELL should focus on the opensource aspect, but rather on the users and there needs. Then tell us how open design architecture works for us. Open architecture will.... Help make it safer when you browse the internet, mean lower cost, and give you freedom to choose(we all want choice).... You don't have to worry about upgrading tomorrow, because it happened today.... You don't need driver cd's the device has it built in(EFI).... Open firmware brings new meaning to plug and play.... Get my data back!!! One button firewire/usb disk copy... The list goes on!
vargasmas 02/28/07	I keep reading news articles about companies, state and local government organizations and foreign countries switching over to Linux, and I think Dell is missing a huge opportunity here. I definitely endorse this idea!
general_tso 02/28/07	http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/61771 http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/61771 http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/61771< SPLIT THE VOTES
bp 03/01/07	if you have a deal with microsoft that forces you to install windows on every computer, make a new brand. This way the deal isn't broken.
jonathanorlev 03/01/07	BP, Building a completely new brand is a very expensive process, and if they are signed on such a contract with Microsoft, MS has probably closed this option to. Also, I don't think they cannot install Linux if they want, but it is possible that Microsoft is selling them Windows for a very, very low price, so Dell do not have (or did not have) enough motivation for trying another OS. After all, if consumers can buy a computer with Linux pre-installed, or a computer with Windows for only a few dollars more, It is obvious that almost all of them will choose Windows. But if they can get a PC with Linux pre-installed for 50 - 100 $ less than the windowed version, many of them will choose Linux, at least for basic systems. So I think that if Dell will adopt one distro such as Ubuntu, or create their on distro (DellOS) based on another (such as Ubuntu...), and sell PC for less (only they know how less), they can increase their sales and market share, sell to new markets, and increase their brand awareness (there is no single major Linux PC vendor as for now).
markir 03/01/07	This is a fine idea - companies like AMC/3Ware and Areca do this now, and it results in their products being openly recommended on mailing lists.
amkeeley 03/02/07	YES! Dell it would be so easy to re-brand a popular supported linux distribution, call it your own and create a new flavor in the PC market. If you advertised it, people would wake up and realize that it is tiring eating the same Microsoft vanilla ice cream all the time. That is why Apple is gaining momentum in the market, because it is a whole different flavor (I like to think chocolate, cause they are so different from Microsoft). Dell branded Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, or another distribution would be a whole new flavor (Mmm....strawberry) people would want to try, that already comes with a strong community backbone of support, stability, and security. Think of Baskin-Robbins: are they successful because of a single flavor? No way! (Dude, your actually getting a Dell! with the unique, highly-recommended Dell OS! Not just Microsoft dipped in a Dell coating)
sliverworm 03/06/07	DO IT!
gschoep 03/06/07	This may be a good alternative to freely offering Linux and may piss off Microsoft much less. It puts the responsibility of the OS choice on the user and not Dell who is a big partner to MS. But lets face it, Dell cannot afford to piss off microsoft and it is obvious by their admission that they will work with Novell that will not piss off the Microsoft collective...
danieljames 03/08/07	BEST IDEA YET. This is a great, focused idea that is well within DELL's capabilities. You could own the linux laptop market. Currently I think IBM is on top but this could be DELL's. Money in the pocket.
reg 03/23/07	BOYCOTT VISTA!
markdarb 03/26/07	I think hardware should more than just work on Linux. It should just work on a version of Linux which has no closed source binary driers included. The Linux kernel includes many drivers which aren't actually free and open source software because this is the only option. Dell would truly be supporting free software and gaining customers because of it if Dell sold computers which require no commercial/binary drivers. A GNU/Linux distribution which includes only free open source driers is gNewSense. I'm not convinced that this distro should be preinstalled on computers (having never seen it used or compared with Ubuntu, which it is based on), but it is certainly a good benchmark because if gNewSense will work on a computer, properly using all of the hardware, then any truly free/open source operating system has the potential to do so.
genghis 04/10/07	For more technical and senior user, I think it's quite good for them, but for some junior user, what they want it's just to have a computer can use for document, email, gaming, video..etc. Not so much DIY, no too much option, just tell them how to do. (Like me years ago :) ), I think Dell has been doing good in those standard product with mainstream PC. And He should consider offer some new models with widee customization capacity. Linux is one thing worth to think about. Agree.. (I'm not familar with Linux)
premcv 04/16/07	@reg: rather, BOYCOTT MICRO$OFT
reg 04/16/07	2 - premcv - if it makes you happy! An educator pointed out all the current computer professionals who grew up on Commodore 64, VIC-20, Atari 400/800/ XL, Amiga, Sinclair, Spectrum, TI 99/4A ?, etc etc - they all got computers that basically came with a language (BASIC) and you had to figure out the rest. Current Windows Computers don't even include any real computer languages with them, they are just GUI toys. Now you can get JAVA, or HTML, or open source languages - but the society has changed. Kids don't take the time to learn the machine, they take the time to learn how to use the PC, not how to program them... It's a difference, a big difference that will have a major impact 20 years from know, as computer science majors have dropped in number, and the number of truly skilled programmers of the past continues to dwindle... Hopefully Linux and Open Source will reverse this trend. This is exactly why ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD ONLY USE OPEN SOURCE. Teach kids that 'hey, some guys just wrote this' - and live the example that if a student wants to, they can write their own program and even distribute it world wide. (Geek Rock Star - write a little program everybody finds fun or useful!) ? Perhaps there is a better tomorrow without Microsoft ? But today's world runs on Microsoft, so, at least we should learn from their mistakes.
premcv 04/18/07	gotta agree with you, reg! I wasn't serious though!
dell_admin1 05/03/07	Changed status to UNDER CONSIDERATION.
cool 05/23/07	This is a good suggestion, but Linux I think is still slightly below the cusp of having to do the work to orientate whole systems around them. Great suggestion for the near future though, as a few more Linux users might make this worth Dell's while.
johnpro 05/29/07	I have read that IBM thinkpads are the most user friendly with Linux.
smartwarthog 05/30/07	It would be nice to have a completely free PC.
reg 06/10/07	Please provide open source Linux drivers to the PUPPY LINUX Developers team. Thank you Dell!
badblood 06/10/07	It all sounds very complicated........
chris_g_g 06/11/07	It would be nice to be able to turn to Dell knowing that all their stuff just works with open source without any trouble whatsoever. There's an easy way for Dell to make it so: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62429/Require_Publicly_available_Specif... By simply being clever about which components they buy to go into their computers, Dell computers get better supported in Linux (and others) for no extra effort.
winoffice 06/11/07	Dear ntaylor0909, "Become the open source OEM" That means, eliminate all Microsoft software from Dell systems?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
badblood 06/11/07	I think it just means ensuring Dell computers are always Linux compatible, and therefore the trusted brand of the opensource community.
reg 06/11/07	Good Hardware + Compatible Software = More PROFITS! Now that is an equation DELL likes...
john_h Apr 11	We've made a lot of progress in the past year on getting Linux to work well on all of our products. It certainly works well on the consumer systems we ship with Ubuntu and the Precision systems we ship with Red Hat. Hopefully in the next year or two we'll be able to have drivers available for every client system we sell, and have them all work well out of the box. Our goal is certainly to become the hardware vendor of choice for Linux users.
kara_k Apr 14	Changed status to REVIEWED.
jervis961 Apr 14	Nice to hear john_h. I think the more you educate users and show them that you will service the linux systems bought through Dell the more you will sell. Linux's biggest weakness is unfamiliarity and fear.
goombadoolies37 Apr 16	Do it in Oz. I need a new laptop and at the moment only one company (not dell) has the option of getting my money because they offer Ubuntu. You offer XP (i have purchased 3 new desktops in the last 2 weeks) still, why not ubuntu.
laptoplinux Jul 15	One little thing. Dell might want to educate its sales associates a little about Linux and Dell's offerings. Most Dell salespeople on the phone are absolutely clueless about Linux. I don't mean about software support. I mean that Dell offers it at all. Most don't even know what Linux is.

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