End PC Payola | Pioneer a PC Builder Code of Conduct

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4577

End PC Payola | Pioneer a PC Builder Code of Conduct

4577 points posted to Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops by dhart 02/20/07

Dell's image was damaged by the $1bn Intel kickback scandal. Many in the computer industry believe that Microsoft's grip on Dell and other PC Builders is airtight due to secret deals and marketing kickbaks. Consumers appreciate lower prices on new Dell PCs thanks in part to bundled 3rd party software, however we are not permitted to choose the software that is pre-installed, and kickback deals are not transparent.

In the music recording and radio broadcasting industries, similar shady practices are called payola. Please, end PC payola, and give control back to your customers.

We encourage Dell to pioneer a voluntary PC Builder Code of Conduct, and regain the public trust.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise payola circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Transparency at Dell is necessary for true consumer choice. For example, transparency can be improved by providing the choice of pre-installing quality free and open source software (developed with near 100% transparency). Cast your vote to have the OPTION of buying a new Dell PC pre-installed with Linux and other free software like OpenOffice.org.

rhonaldmoses 02/20/07	Hi, I love the idea of a PC/Laptop getting released into the market right from a genuine vendor like DELL, HP, ACER. I purchased my HP laptop 4 months back and unfortunately i had to pay for Windows XP Crap which came pre-installed, which i didn't even bother to enable. I right away put my openSuSE DVD into the drive and installed Linux into it. Tweaking next few days to make it as I WANTED IT, now I am settled with openSuSE 10.2 and my laptop is amazing. But i love that my laptop comes with Linux pre-installed and compatible with all the hardware that has inside my PC. I am planning to buy a desktop too, but I am holding it a while until at least companies release PCs without any OS installed. I am sure its in market now, without any OS, from DELL. Have great time. I'd appreciate if DELL comes with pre-insalled Linux.
usacomputertec 02/20/07	Linux Rocks. It is not only more capable than Windows and more stable but it is Virus Free and Cost Free. I suggest that a reliable Video Editor be pre-installed and tested that can take the place of Windows Media Player. Open office and Firefox are no brainers
oldschool 02/20/07	I own four Dells - 3 desktops (Dimension 2400, Optiplex GX260, Optiplex GX110) and a Latitude D600 lappy. ALL of them run the same flavor of Linux - Vector Linux. It's very fast, clean, stable, and does everything I need - including perfect DVD playback, bulletproof surfing with Firefox 2 & NoScript plugin, Abiword Word Processor (starts up in 2.5 seconds)... and plenty more great programs. Currently two of the boxes also run XP Pro so I can use McMedia Fireworks MX2004. Vector Linux installs in about 20 minutes, and is super-easy to re-install if anything goes wrong (which hasn't happened yet). The Windows installations are already getting buggy after only a couple months - even though they are tight minimalist installs with only a couple of added applications. Dell boxes work GREAT with Vector Linux - far faster than XP on the same box. I'd like to be able to buy a Dell Computer with no OS, and install Linux myself. I believe many people would like that. I have one message to people who troll Linux - you're missing out on something REALLY good. I feel sorry for you being stuck with Windows...
somesysadmin 02/20/07	I would like the option of having no operating system installed by Dell and install Linux myself. I have over a dozen systems in my house (educational lab in my house) and the minority of systems run windows. My forcasted computer purchases will have me dumping windows and loading Linux. So having the option of no OS loaded by Dell would be welcomed by me.
chrisvandemore 02/20/07	Sure, Linux, but come on! I have about 6 more Windows licenses than I have machines running Windows. Why must I continually buy more of them?
jss167 02/21/07	I agree with offering several Linux distros as options, as well as OpenOffice. I have been using Linux for a long time, while being able to do everything everyone else can. I would also like to see Dell list what Windows and the other MS products actually cost. They cannot be free to the user, they are bundled into the price. Another issue of concern, is how Vista has digital rights management, so that you may not be able to do what you think you can. There is a lot of this news on the Web. I wish to be able to use my computer in the manner of my choice, after all, I bought it!
linuxgirlie 02/21/07	I agree, one thing that stops Linux from being used is that it doesn't come pre-installed on any pc's if Dell could do this, or sell computers with no Windows or offer a money back option then it would show people that Linux isn't just for geeks.
pjstrifas 02/21/07	Allow users choice. The default can be a pre-designated OS such as Windows but allow users (for a small fee even) to choose a different OS. With regard to Linux -- why not adopt the community support model similar to the community effort that goes into developing each flavor of Linux. Dell could tap into that potential and leverage it for all of the Dell users woldwide! Some Linux vendors like SUSE and Red Hat and even Ubuntu would provide resources to assist in support issues as well (how-tos etc). Choice [freedom] would provide Dell with differentiation in the marketplace providing their customers with greater freedom to do with their PCs and Laptops than is currently possible AND keeping their support in place. Yes, it's change and with change comes some costs yet the adage of spending a buck to make two seems awfully appropo here.
omni 02/21/07	Linux users are great because they know what they are doing for the most part. Or at least they don't fall like a house of cards when something goes even remotly wrong on thier system. I think the biggest thing that keeps dells from releasing Linux preinstalled is the entire service and support thing... because really, who wants to troubleshoot linux over the phone for a first time user? I think linux is a great idea preinstalled, and dell even offers redhat on some servers n stuff. But where to start with what distro to push. Becasue if dell, or any other computer maker for that matter pushes one distro over another it could be another my "brand is better than yours" war of words. I can really feel this happening someday, the hard part is driver support....and we all know it. Think of how challenging it is for manufacteres like nvidia and ATI to get drivers out for windows let alone linux...it's always been a point of frustration of mine.
o0splitpaw0o 02/22/07	You guys already sell blades with flavors of Linux. Why not? I'd look into Ubuntu for new faces. the newer release coming out will support already many of the hardware you have. Also, you can give a lower price point on the market. So single families, students, etc can actually afford a PC from you guys.
wjhack 02/22/07	The release of Vista with all its legal tie-ups for the user (i.e., can't legally use with virtualization unless you pay for expensive version) makes it clear that Microsoft will only tighten its grip on the PC environment unless forced by competition to change. I, for one, would rather choose what functions are installed on my PC, rather than having BigBrother Microsoft flood my PC with proprietary (usually inadequate) versions of secondary functions (firewall, web browser and media manager/editors are most notable examples). A major provider of PCs making Linux available on a wide scale would allow the market to talk and let the manufacturers know what users really want on their PCs. It would also provide a better business case for more currently Windows-only apps/game developers to support Linux.
gx7777 02/22/07	I have owned a PC since 1989. I've never ordered one with an OS since my first one. I want the choice of what OS and what software to install. Pre-installed software forces me to clean my PC, initially, and Windows program designers never quite clean your registry of the junk their programs deposit during installation and use. All third-party software that Dell wants to promote should be installable as a choice from a well labelled CD. Otherwise I want a clean OS!
kamrananvaar 02/22/07	I,ve tried Linuxos 2007 tr2 and it rocks .Everything works out of the box and even though its still in beta form i found it quite stable , did everything i usually do i.e watch movies with mplayer or kaffeine, listen to music with amarok,rip cds ,dvds burn dvds.Downloading files ,even has openoffice installed ,I think office xp is an overkill ,for 90% of the people office97,lotus notes or star office is more than enough. I am not a windows basher ,but i do get annoyed at having to upgrade just to make my office files work ,I hate drm and was looking for an alternative .The easiest was pclinuxos . And i definately will buy a pc preloaded with linux and tweaked for linux Just my 2 cents.
aseila 02/22/07	I have been a Linux user for several years, and I have also been a Dell user. A solid combination of high-quality hardware with a fully supported Linux distribution (I prefer Ubuntu, but any up to date Linux distribution that works well, similar to Mac OS X will do) is a killer combination. At a minimum, I would like to be able to purchase a laptop or PC without having to buy a Windows or Vista license. Any company that offers me a free, transparent choice will get my loyalty. Price is important, but secondary to choice.
me22 02/22/07	I would really like to see linux becoming more popular among the computer world. The only way for it to happen is if companies such as dell to offer it as an alternative. More programs will be made, and more pressure will be put on ms to keep windows superior to the other os. Since there is not much choice in os, MS can pretty much do what they please with windows and get away with it.
ashland 02/22/07	I'm running Ubuntu and Kubuntu on two Dell laptops right now. Wasted the money on Windows 2000 and XP on them, but I won't waste the the cash on "Vista" OS that I don't intend to use on my next laptop. Give me a Dell choice or my choice will be to go somewhere else.
stalluri 02/23/07	I would love to see we have the option to install our own software instead of pre-installed. user should have an option to have his computer the way he wants to organize. Linux should be provided as an alternate choice provided by the h/w manufacturing companies. Every time I am forced to buy windows OS without really getting anything in return for a huge price. Open office should be also provided instead of MS office and MS works. Instaed of providing pre-installed, they should provide a cd/dvd, If I want to install then I'll choose to intall. why should some software be installed which is of no interest to me. Laptops are the worst, as I really cannot assemble them and I am forced to take all the junk software that I don't need, in case of Desktops I still have a choice that I can assemble my own PC Thanks Srinivas
klain 02/23/07	I like a pc pre-installed linux.
stalluri 02/23/07	compared to windows, Linux is really fast and need not boot every time you install small piece of s/w. No viruses and better security and man it is really fast even on processors like P2/p3. I really tested it. When I installed oracle database on a dual processor intel machine with 4GB of RAM on a machine with windows 2000/XP, failed to deliver fast but when I installed same oracle with same db on a Linux on low end machine, where nobody was using the machine in the office, it served the entire team with superab perforance. believe it or not, we still run those old pentium machines with linux installed on it. Note the processor speed is 500 MHz.
jonc 02/23/07	I've been using Linux for about 3 weeks now and after previewing a few live cds I settled for PCLinuxOS. I was amazed how well it installed and found all the hardware. WXP Pro is the last OS I'll use from M$. I usually build my own computers, but if companies like Dell Offered computers with hardware that works with linux I'd consider buying one. I think the community has latched on to something big.
phubert 02/23/07	It DOES rather look as though Vista provides little opportunity or even _room_ for home-builders. How much of the PC market IS that, do you think? But, as I understand it, Vista isn't even very friendly to anyone who would upgrade an existing machine. Is that group so tiny that Microsoft and the hardware vendors can thumb their nose at them?
justwally 02/23/07	I own four Dell computers (one is a laptop), and I was going to purchase an XPS laptop from Dell because it was highly-rated by other Debian/GNU Linux users. The problem is, however, that I'm tired of formatting hard drives and throwing away useless Windows and Windows-specific driver CD-ROMs. It makes no sense on many levels, the first two being my time and CD-ROMs in landfills. After an incredibly long, tedious, and unnecessarily contentious customer support experience with Dell-India I finally purchased an Acer. No one at Dell would unequivocally tell me (on the record) that Dell will not sell me a laptop without MS Windows pre-installed, but they refused to sell me a laptop with a blank HDD or with Linux installed. The customer support experience was horrific, with support personnel/supervisors actually getting personal and writing things down that I never would dream of saying; they were vindictive and combative. I wasn't asking for much...just the opportunity to continue what had been an extremely fulfilling customer relationship with a company named Dell. I could not keep anyone at Dell-India in the "let's be problem-solvers" mode, no matter how hard I tried. I am sorry, Dell, but you lost on two fronts in this situation. I am hoping that by the time my Acer wears out I will be able to purchase a Dell with either a blank HDD or with Linux installed, and I am hoping that your support staff actually care about what I want and are EMPOWERED to actually make decisions to take care of your customers. No one should ever have to apologize for the OS they use on an IBM PC-compatible machine.
telkwa 02/23/07	Dell does things to their products that are just plain insulting to the customer. I'm told they don't sneak proprietary power supplies into their systems anymore. I hope that's true. How about the fact that hardware temp monitor applications like Speedfan and Motherboard Monitor can't pick up any signals on Dells? I don't know how Dell cripples the sensors, but that's reason enuf for me to avoid Dell entirely. The fallout from those kinds of poor decisions can go on for a long time. Once I know Speedfan doesn't work on Dells, am I going to keep checking back to see if Dell has stopped doing that? Of course not. They're gonna treat their customers like that, the only thing I can do is never give them my money.
ttnb 02/23/07	Hi; I'm currently looking to buy a laptop with GNU/Linux (preferably Ubuntu) preinstalled. Where can I buy this?
brashley46 02/23/07	There are several places that will sell desktop and laptop PCs with Linux installed; google on "Linux laptop" and you'll find a whole bunch. There are several user friendly, mature distros out there that can give the Windows refugee the feeling that he's right at home; Ubuntu, Kubuntu, XandrOS, Linspire, and so on.
mscgandalf 02/23/07	please... Ubuntu
twroblewsk 02/23/07	Back in the mid-1980's, before windows, I was a dell reseller. I made a good living programming, setting up small business networks and generally acting as a one man geek squad to my clients. Windows with all it's bugs ruined that. I went on to other things when I got tired of working around windows problems. Then came Linux. After a decade and a half of being just a computer user, dealing with computer lockups, the blue screen of death and the constant extortion microsoft made me pay for fixing bugs and upgrading software, I now can program and network again. Luckily, I have a local computer store that allows me to buy computers with no operating system installed. No microsoft tax on my computers. And you know what? There are many computer users just like me. If Dell wants our business, then give us Linux. If it's to much of a hassel to pre-install it, sell us computers that have no operating system. Just make them Linux compatible. Buy the way, I like simplyMEPIS 6.0. I've installed it on all my home computers easily and it recognized all components. Mepis is a customized Ubuntu distribution. Have Michael Dell download the iso onto his office computer and see how easy it is to install. Thanks for the Blog...and listening Tom Wroblewski
petem103072 02/24/07	I agree. I have an upcoming PC purchase. If Dell doesn't allow me to save money by getting a PC without Windows, then I just won't by a Dell. I am also someone that will help many other people getting PC's. If Dell loses my business, they lose all the people I help buy PC's because I would no longer recommend Dell.
jrmourning 02/24/07	It should be illegal for any manufacturer or software company to require its products to be preinstalled on a private computer. Each OEM should be reqiured by law to offer each customer a choice of software to be installed. In addition each OEM shoujld be required to offfer alternative basic hardware configuartions that recognies each component manufacturers products.
lostblues 02/24/07	Although in the past I have recommended and installed Dell as part of my IT practice, I havent for a few years now, primarily because of the lack of choice the company has offered users. I support this idea wholeheartedly.
lostblues 02/24/07	YES... it is time for alternatives!
xcallejas 02/24/07	YEEEEES!!!!!!! Where can I buy one? this is one of the best ideas from Dell. Really, I need to change my laptop, I had never considered Dell until now, I'll be one of the first to buy one. I personally prefer openSUSE. Thank you!
france 02/25/07	I currently have a Dell Dimension 2400 Desktop that I purchased a little over a year ago. It came pre-loaded with some lackluster software; however, no emergency reboot OS CD was included with my Dell. When I bought my Compaq back in 2000, it included one. Regardless, I'd love for the choice for my next Dell to be preloaded with one of a number of Linux OS options, including Mandriva, Xandros, and Linspire. I'd also love for OpenOffice to be an option to come pre-loaded -- as well as Thunderbird for email, Firefox for a browser, and AVG for virus protection.
lizardman 02/25/07	Dell is not the only one that comes with loads of 3rd party software installed, but they could be the first to give real (free) choice to their customers. Let them choose which OS will be installed, and weather they like loads of 30 or 60 days trials to be installed on their brand new system. Dear Dell, Give your Customers a FREE choice and you will find out what they really want.
ravis_31 02/26/07	I dont' own a dell now but i definitely want to if this idea goes through.I would prefer ubuntu.
johnwhelan 02/26/07	For many people some flavour of UNIX would be more than acceptable. It would have been prefered on a recent purchase and will be an issue on my next planned purchase of a high end machine next year. Also recently I flew in set aged parent (83) up with a Dell computer and flew out a week later. One major problem with the instalation was getting rid of the popups and the configuration, it took four days which cut into the training time. Another was deleting the information from the old Dell computer. The operating system had been doctored to remove the format hard drive option.
glaistig 02/26/07	Dell should make available all information on the kickbacks it received. Dell should fund OSS initiatives to the same amount to get level.
cedillon 02/26/07	I would very much like to see a Linux distribution option on CONSUMER pc's, not just business. I purchased my portable from Dell last August and spent an entire day getting rid of all of the bloatware on it. If a pre-installed Linux distribution would have been available I would have selected it for sure! With the (in my opinion) extremely intrusive design of Vista, not a single colleague of mine would buy a Dell under ANY circumstances until an alternative operating system is offered and until such an option is available, I will have to recommend anyone who asks wait until such time as either customers are allowed to purchase XP (again, as a CONSUMER, not a business) or some variation of Linux.
etarrington 02/27/07	The software that you use is an investment, whether you pay for it, or not. An open source license helps me to see that my investment will not become a hostage to predatory or parasitic interests, even if I do not read the code. It is important to know that I can read and revise the code if necessary and that other users are reading the same code.
phubert 02/27/07	Yes, it is definitely an issue of FREEDOM. Freedom to stay where you are on an OS rev., for example, rather than being forced to follow some vendor's direction down some path you do not NEED that will only disrupt your business. Or, restrictions that will inhibit how you USE your software (like loading on additional or upgraded machines). If Microsoft provided unlimited use licenses, if we were actually PURCHASING some persistent RIGHTS that protected US with these software licenses, perhaps many of us would have fewer issues with them. ANY company's drive for complete DOMINANCE of a market, however, endangers our freedoms... just as nations with unlimited power lust endanger their own citizens and us all.
rsvaught 02/27/07	I recently needed a PC to run Asterisk on. After a search, I finally purchased a new Compaq that had been returned, installed LINUX and Asterisk after reformating the HD. All the Dell options were at least $100 more expensive for the same specs. I am looking for a second system to install Ubuntu on. Want a barbones machine w/o modem (512 megs or more and a fast HD.) Thanks, I can put the OS on etc.
cal 02/27/07	I know stuff all about PC's and recently installed Fedora Core 6. WOW thats cooler than Windows and was so easy to install. If Dell were to sell systems with Linux installed at a low price I would be in. Since I know the most about PC's out of all my friends they always come to me for help and are always looking for the cheapest. This would mean I would start promoting Dell again as I have stared away form Dell lately due to price and needing such HI-spec machines just to run Vista. 99% of my friends and people i know turn on there PC don't care what windows does or looks like. All they want to do is open a browser and surf the net, email or write a word document. They may occasionally watch a short movie or listen to music which will all work on a lower-spec Linux dell system for the person with budgets in mind. Why pay hundreds for Windows...... Most of my friends only know how to use the web browser on a computer so I think its a waste of time purchasing windows. I also find the average home user doesn't even know what OS they are running and if it came to saving some $$$ i am sure they wouldn't care so long as the net works and they could write emails and open office documents.
faberlillo 02/28/07	Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sell your pc unit also in Europe with linux preinstalled!!!(I suggest Ubuntu 6.10 totally free and very powerful!!!) Thx Faber
sgagne 02/28/07	I like the idea that Dell would PRE-load Linux. This would mean Linux compatible hardware. Great. About time! One thing I noticed is that all the recommended software such as Ubuntu, Fedora Core, and openSUSE all use Gnome as the default desktop. I would suggest a choice between KDE and Gnome. I like Mandriva and would suggest others such as SimplyMEPIS, Kubuntu, and Knoppix. However, what is preloaded may not be as important as the fact that LINUX is preloaded and all hardware is LINUX compatible. If Dell were to treat the drivers for their hardware as open source or at least made them available to all LINUX users that use Dell PCs, then Dell would absolutely be my choice.
sawdustoh 03/01/07	If Dell or any company tried to preload Linux the headachs in tech support would be unbelievable. Its like going back to Windows 3.2. How can I change the screen resolution? How do you handle questions like that by trying to explain all they are going to have to type into a DOS like structure.
thempleton 03/01/07	There is only one choice: no Microsoft tax! It isn't really important to have something preinstalled. Every customer has to have the possibility to install whatever he wants without paying anything he doesn't want on his PC. It is a shame you have accepted to impose your customers to buy Microsoft's products with Dell's PCs! The only solution you have is to trash that marketing strategy and if you really want to preinstall something do it using free software.
justwally 03/01/07	sgagne -- Agreed... A choice between KDE and Gnome is imperative. sawdustoh -- Tech suppport headaches? That would be why MS won't allow the sale/installation of any of their previous OS versions once a new version is out. So, our choice is hostage to your idea of a support nightmare? I've done this multi-platform support thing, and it's all about hiring and training. This talk of "nightmares" is a very short-term slippery slope fallacy...Like Vista is going to somehow be EASY to support in the coming year? Puh-leeze...
lalitnagrath 03/02/07	having linux as OS will reduce down the cost . and we got to use a interface which s easy for novice user . ubuntu or FC will do it.
mrlinux11 03/02/07	I disagree with "A choice between KDE and Gnome is imperative. " Look at Windows you have the Classic and XP (or Vista) and this is still supported and they are very different. They can do both KDE/GNOME
pasific78 03/02/07	well linux comes with various distro as well. i think it would be best for dell to come with no OS and to pos the various linux drivers (rpms, tar, ...) on the website for users to download. this i believe would boost their sales even better. i have an inspiron 6000 & i still prefer to use my ubuntu on it :)
realbadapple 03/03/07	For those who have strayed from the topic at hand, Dell I really wish you would be the first to offer the choice of selected Linux distros on "ANY" computer you sell. I would even be willing to pay for the corporate versions of distros (Suse 10.2, Mandriva 2007, RedHat 6) and don't forget the free versions (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, OpenSuse10.2, Mandriva One, Linspire). I for one have chosen not to purchase another windows box "EVER", so unless I can get a linux computer from dell I will no longer be purchasing from you! I have to ask the question, aren't you tired of being microsoft's puppet? I thought the customers payed your bills? I believe its time to really see what microsoft's software is made of, quality wise "lol", and create a truly open market and allow your customers vote with their hard earned cash!
dhart 03/03/07	Moderators: Please move comments focusing heavily on Linux/FLOSS to another thread (61771 or 62047 are good candidates). This article is about payola, not any specific potential outcomes of freedom from payola. Thanks.
zankul 03/04/07	I would love for Dell to offer any GNU/LINUX as an option. I would be just as happy for an hardware only PC and do the software install myself. I hate a PC loaded with a bunch of software that I will never use and don't want in the first place.
airashby 03/06/07	It would be a shame if I don't buy a Dell just beacause of the operating system.
linuxhawk 03/06/07	Its time for Dell And the other top pc manufacturers to realize that they a re loosing market share to open source users who opt to build their own machines toi the Linux specifications. This is due in major part to "Pc payola" or kick back schemes hatched by fortune five hundred software and hardware makers.
ozneilau 03/06/07	Low cost airlines like Virgin Blue in Australia reduce the cost of the fare by unbundling the in-flight food. Other airlines have had to follow suit to be able to complete (this is why Qantas created Jetstar). Many people don't want the food the airlines offer. It's the same with PCs. I would rather have a lower cost PC or laptop and then choose what OS I want to install instead og paying for something I don't want that I won't use anyway.
warnerms 03/07/07	Not having a choice of operating systems for the Desktop, we now use linux, has kept us from doing any further business with Dell
rbowden 03/07/07	I was going to install Linux Ubuntu anyway, and I own a Dell laptop. So, YES, please make Linux available your computers!
chris29 03/07/07	If Dell sold Linux notebooks for consumers I'd consider purchasing one. They need to be more than Microsoft Windows systems with Linux. They would have to have a range of models and come with components which were supported on Linux with non-reverse engineered manufacturer supported (chipset) open source drivers. I have purchase three computers with Linux installed from other companies that were well supported, two of them being notebook computers. The only way for Dell to regain my business is to go Linux.
blob 03/08/07	Hi! I'm from Russia and I ask to excuse for my English. I'm using DELL's laptop with OS SUSE. I'll be very happy to by a new one with SUSE-Linux. I think, it is a excellent idea to preinstall a OS Linux. Thanks a lot, BLOB
darkfoss 03/10/07	I'd love to buy a Linux ready desktop/laptop..either pre-installed or os empty using only known Linux supported components , especially if the motherboard is Linux-bios compatible . http://linuxbios.org/Welcome_to_LinuxBIOS
winoffice 03/12/07	Do you mean by "CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs" that non-Microsoft software should be mandatory? Or do you mean what you say -- that is, that we should really be able to pick our software? I prefer the latter, because here both camps will be satisfied -- Microsoft software users can use Microsoft software, and non-Microsoft software users can use non-Microsoft software. Also, I myself am Microsoft software user, and therefore I do not want to see non-Microsoft software mandatory.
saharaab 03/13/07	Please Ubuntu Or Kubuntu the best Os ever
phubert 03/13/07	To winoffice... I would rather hope that everyone who has expressed a preference for Linux/OSS and CHOICE means exactly that; CHOICE. Just hardware CERTIFICATION FOR Linux (or some list of Linux distributions) would be a HUGE advance. More open support FOR Linux (and I don't believe most of those promoting this EVER mean they expect Dell TECHNICAL SUPPORT for Linux distributions!) would also be MOST welcome. What do I mean by support? ** partnering with one or more providers of Linux distributions, such as Linspire/Ubuntu, and: (note that Linux would NOT HAVE to be pre-loaded: Dell could sell the bare box WITH Linspire/Ubuntu certified, loadable CD's/DVD's and a pre-paid support subscription WITH Linspire (for example). Dell could also create a Dell owners Linux/OSS web site for MUTUAL support, with perhaps some Dell staffer participation, community-style, and, as I suggested elsewhere, Dell could provide references/links TO Linux/OSS RESOURCES. Dell would have SOME commitment to this, but it could be minimal and of minimal impact ON Dell.) The Linux/OSS suggestions/requests here, I don't believe, were ever intended to impact Dell's PRIMARY support for its biggest market: WINDOWS. THAT is already IN PLACE. Hence, no need to say anything about it. However, asking for a CHOICE to continue to have XP rather than Vista is a worthy one, IF it is possible for Dell, given OEM agreements with Microsoft.
imories 03/13/07	Choices of any of the leading Linux distros will be welcome. Although there are other points-of-view, my preference is for Ubuntu. Open SUSE would be another good choice. How about if Dell offers maybe two (2) Linux distros as pre-installs as alternatives to Windows? I realize that the more OSs Dell supports, the more the cost & effort Dell will incur ensuring that the OSs will work flawlessly with Dell hardware and that all needed drivers are included; that's why I suggest no more than 2 distros being supported. Anyone who is currently favoring another distro that's not offered by Dell should bite the bullet and go with one of Dell's offerings - heck, Linux is, after all, Linux.;
aapiethaaap 03/14/07	This is a very good idea and it will help the linux community alot, the only thing linux needs is driver support. And if all dell hardware works out of the box its a great leap forwards!
purranki 03/14/07	I don't use windows for anything at all. I'm a former Debian user and currently at home we have two ubuntu machines and a Mac. When time comes to upgrade my desktop PC I will not consider any maker "bargian" if it comes bundled with a windows software I will never get to use anyway. I don't want to pay for what I don't intend to use. On the other hand, having Ubuntu preinstalled as an option is convenient for me and also changes the way I view the company. Because I know the only benefit you get from this action derives directly from customer satisfaction.
jpchesney 03/14/07	Microsoft has pulled a fast one by forcing all distributors to pull their Windows XP licenses immediately. Unfortunately, if you are building a low-end machine, you can't go low any more because of the "features" the Vista has. I think offering Linux on the desktop and notebook markets, with the support that is offered by Dell, will send a clear message that consumers don't want to be forced into an all-or-nothing scenario.
mrlinux11 03/14/07	Well it appears Dell still allows you to get XP on certain systems http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/optix_320?c=us&cs=04&l=en&...
fth1963 03/14/07	I'd prefer preinstalled Fedora, RedHat or Suse in order of preference.
mrlinux11 03/14/07	"I'd prefer preinstalled Fedora, RedHat or Suse in order of preference." So would I !!!! I was responding to a poster above.
erikdebruijn 03/15/07	Many times have I payed for Microsoft software because it was bundled with the hardware. Each time I've wiped the hard-disk and removed that which I was forced to pay for. Besides a waste of money, I cannot stand behind the actions that Microsoft takes everytime. Perhaps, while it can be rationally expected of a company of such size, I do not wish to support it. It is not to the benefit of the world. I am forced to still support it because otherwise my own choice in hardware is greatly limited. Being guided by principles would cost me money, which it doesn't need to, simply if OEMs wouln't force the good(s) and the bad (in my opinion) in one package. I am a student. My university pays to Microsoft so students can have Windows cheaply (at the costs of the CD + package). I already (must) pay Microsoft when I buy a PC, but it even happens multiple times (once from my college money). I'd love to have donated this to free software or chosen that one serious manufacturer that offers PCs without an expensive proprietary OS enforced.
mrlinux11 03/15/07	Here you can buy computers with Linux preinstalled http://shoprcubed.com http://emperorLinux.com
albertv2003 03/15/07	Hey mrlinux11 thanks for the links.
mikipao 03/16/07	Ubuntu or Kubuntu
darkranger 03/17/07	I agree that would be a great idea. Just having Linux on, maybe Dell just offering 1/2 distros and letting the distributors manage the support. Maybe 1 year full free support when buying a dell with linux, I think some sort of agreement between dell and a Linux distrobutor would be possible. The upside would be, hopefully, the system will be cheaper to buy.
walterac 03/17/07	Ubuntu or Kubuntu, Openoffice and free software
saharaab 03/18/07	goto www.ubuntu.com
pookito 03/18/07	Darkranger, I totally agree when you said that there should be some kind of agreement between dell and the Linux distributions. That way the buyer could choose the kind of Linux flavor that they want, whether Kubuntu, Ubuntu, Suse, Vector, etc. I think that was a great idea. Two thumbs up. :-))
salihumd Mar 3	Dell should give customers a free hand to choose what OS they want on their systems please.

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