Help create Open Source drivers - employ or hire a few developers
Linux, Operating Systems submitted by tingo
02/21/07
The Open Source market is growing - fast.
Dell should invest a small amount in this, in order to gain a huge market share and sales.
Employ or hire a few Open Source developers to create drivers for your products (for Open source operating systems).
Make sure that
- you support as many of the Open Source OS's as you can (Linux, *BSD, others)
- the drivers are completely open sourced (no binary blobs)
- that you take a long time view on this and support the drivers for as many years as you can
- you create open source drivers for ALL new products
- there are no strings attached to the use or further development of those drivers (ie. use an acceptable FOSS license)
This idea is completely free - the first company to use it wins.
6632
Offer SCO UnixWare as an OS option
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by steveoc
02/28/07
There appears to be some interest expressed by a small percentage of Dell customers in running 'Open Source' operating systems on Dell hardware.
It is encouraging to see Dell looking at these expressions of interest.
Amongst the LINIX suggestions, there appears to be many many suggestions for different versions of LINIX, and it would be impossible for Dell to cater to every last one of them. There would be so many different contracts and support agreements with each LINIX vendor, that the costs to Dell would also be prohibative.
LINIX is, I believe, an arcane and difficult to use system, designed for the hacker community. LINIX does not have a consisent GUI, it uses a different keyboard layout to Windows, and worst of all - LINIX is under a lot of expert scrutiny regarding its legality. Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, recently explained how LINIX is based entirely on Microsoft Patents, and uses actual source code copied from (earlier versions) of Windows, as well as the original copyrighted UNIX source code.
A perfect solution to these problems is of course SCO UnixWare. A brilliantly packaged release of the Unix operating system with all questions of legal ownership wholesomely resolved.
SCO and Dell would make perfect business partners .. they utterely deserve each other.
10
Oui à Linux
submitted by nutnut
02/28/07
Mandriva Linux serait en effet une bonne inovation pour les pc Dell.
J'utilise Open Office également et je trouve ce logiciel aussi bien que Office.
Nutnut
80
Consolidate One Linux Market
Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by solifugus
03/01/07
I understand that Dell supplies demand, but is not in the business of making demand. That is reasonable. I also understand that the market for pre-install Linux systems is a fragmented market, in terms of individual choices of distribution.
So take a different approach:
(1) Announce and provide 100% driver support for Linux for a full series of Dell systems. Linux is very easy to install and users are used to installing their own distributions, in any case. They only ask for pre-installation because they are concerned about driver issues.
(2) Pre-install all of these systems with Novell's SuSE. Red Hat and Novell's SuSE predominate the market, but only Novell's SuSE provides both server and desktop versions.
(3) Invest in my business plan to provide distribution neutral software packages. I would use Autopackage to install various open source software programs, regardless of Linux distribution. I would provide with each, a small collection of video tutorials and a full color, illustrated tutorial/reference book.
Matthew
350
Linux is sure profit for Dell, who's investment requirement is near-nothing!
Dell, Linux submitted by linuxfce
02/28/07
I have a Dell e1405 laptop with Linux. SVideo, Native Resolution, Dual Core Optimization, all multimedia functions including hot keys and media buttons.
True 100% compatibility, true 100% stability, true open source.
I am an end-user who has no more than one month of familiarity with Linux, and I accomplished this. You do know your upper level techs could do this in a very short period of time.
Let's look over your reasons for not supporting Linux, and how you could evade the downsides.
1. You profit from retailing Windows more than you would giving away Linux.
True, but even if your profit is 20% of the OS sale, you could reduce the price of the Linux machines OS cost 80%, still make the same profit and at the same time be able to offer a lower price on Linux machines. The only person you'd be cutting off here is Microsoft. For you and the consumer it is win win.
2. User support is costly.
False. You could direct most users to open source forums and outsource telephone support. The open source community will take care of 90% of your support problems. See ubuntuforums.org The support is phenomenal, and it would cost you nothing to use!
3. Hardware support is costly
False. The open source community is committed to providing hardware support given that they are supplied proper technical documents. You could work hand-in-hand with this community, empowering you with possibilities never before possible.
4. Risky business, what if it fails?
As you can see above, costs, when evaluated under efficient spending terms would be minimal. The investment however, could be breakthrough for Dell as a company.
390
Use LINUX compatible hardware
Linux submitted by coiledwire
02/28/07
I think ...we were dreaming...Linux is not mature enough OS yet ...but then again it will never be if PC manufacturer never support it.."chicken or egg situation"
HOW about at least selling LINUX compatible hardware (wireless card, graphic card is pure pain right now)
The main reason USERs turning back to Window is "hard to find Hardware" that work with linux.
This will FORCE hardware companies to release Linux drivers.
350
No WGA preinstalled
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by ashburnsp
02/26/07
I suggest Dell not sell PCs with Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) installed on its OSs, since the OSs are genuine by default and there is no need for WGA. Last year I found a keylogger with Guardian Monitor registry keys on my highly secured Dell Precision Workstation. I reinstalled all software from the original installation CDs, did a Windows Update via the Microsoft Windows Update service, and the keylogger was back! This happened twice. Then I emailed Webroot and asked them if they'd ever seen this--they hadn't. After the third reinstall, the keylogger mysteriously wasn't there. I don't see how this keylogger could have been installed except through the Windows Update service. Therefore, I oppose Dell selling computers with WGA preinstalled since this app "calls home" to Microsoft and allows them (or whomever they're in collusion with) to install software surreptitiously on your computer by echo-reply ICMP. There is no reason for Dell to expose its customers to this kind of covert surveillance. I don't think Microsoft will risk irritating Dell, and probably will give in and let Dell sell OSs that are WGA-free. Security is good for sales, and Dell will come out ahead on this one.
100
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.
152560
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.
140619
Stripped down, fast Linux Box
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Linux submitted by pawprintz
02/17/07 **REVIEWED**
How about a fast, Internet ready Linux desktop. Small form factor, pretty monitor, mouse & keyboard, the O.S., OpenOffice & Firefox. Cheap'n'fast
Dell sees the value of this idea, and is keeping the sugestions for a Linux small form factor on the radar. john_h will let the community know of any new information as it comes.
67970
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.
120804
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.
118103
No OS Preloaded
Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by agreer
02/17/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.
Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.
86090
Provide Linux Drivers for all your Hardware
Linux submitted by gergnz
02/19/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I don't care whether the OS is pre-installed or not, I want all the hardware to be totally supported in the Linux kernel without in mucking around. I currently have a Dell M1210 and I wish the modem would work, just in case I need it. The web cam would work, just in case I need it. At least the Intel wireless card is totally supported. Thanks Intel!!
Drivers are available for Linux to make some but not all hardware work. We continue to work with our partners to provide for better hardware support. See more specifics from john_h.
84437
Become the open source OEM
Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted 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.
34078
use flash ram to reduce boot up time
Software submitted by jzearing
02/26/07
Include software that uses idle processing time to preload an integrated stick of flash with the files that are pulled from the harddrive during start-up. When the computer boots up the next time, just pull that data directly off the flash stick in order to drastically reduce the time it takes for the OS to load.
260
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