feverdream

MARKET linux PCs for real, and Open Office, for real

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by chopdoc May 7

I actually laughed when I read some Dell staffers' comments along the lines of "my research shows the customers want Windows".

Of course the research shows that, of course Dell isn't selling many Linux PCs. Probably the leading topic on Idea Storm has been Linux and Open Source. But that is because Dell attracts mostly "techies" here...not customers.

If you want to sell something, you need to advertise and market it. Microsoft has had a decades long campaign to get into the position they are in. The common consumer thinks Microsoft IS their computer.

Dell has moved forward, but not much, and they have limited and burried the Open Source option and resisted every step of the way. That is a fact, regardless of the lip service Dell gives here.

Open Source, particularly Linux distros can SAVE the customers money. I've crunched the numbers myself, I've calculated the TCO. Stability, reliability, cost.....how and why can Dell continue to avoid the reality of these issues by saying "our research indicates the customers want Windows"?

Give Open Source the marketing exposure it deserves and that the customer deserves. Dell made their name building custom ordered computers. They were known as "the best" in many regards. Then they lost their way. I was optimistic when Mr. Dell returned, but apparently he lost his way as well.

Market the Open Source options for what they really are and do it across the product line. Tell the customers what it really is and don't make it seem like some sort of off-beat secondary option...it simply isn't that anymore unless you continue to make it that.

Check your reaserch, your customers want value....lower prices....reliability..... The answer to that is Linux no matter how you slice it. So SELL it....for real.

Dell could really make a name for themselves again. 19 Comments »

Ubuntu on all models where it works

Linux, Operating Systems, Small Business submitted by jonsmirl 08/01/07 **IN PROGRESS**

I'm still throwing away copies of Windows. Recently I have ordered some Dimension 9200s from Small Business. All of these machines are running Ubuntu today without problem. They're being used to replace some PE400SCs that are starting to die. A 2GB quad core for $649 was too good a deal to pass up. It makes a great small server.

Please offer Ubuntu as a choice on all configurations where it works. I would have still paid $649 for the box and you could have kept the money you're sending to Microsoft.
We continue to explore different Linux opportunities on our systems. Check out daniel_j's comment below.




40 Comments »

Stop Being A Microsoft Poodle!

Advertising and Marketing, Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by aikiwolfie May 26

Stop being a Microsoft poodle and start featuring some of the other products Dell carries on it's web site more prominently. I'm not just talking about Linux here. I'm also talking about all of the other great products Dell carries from other manufacturers like Belkin and Logitech.

Unfortunately however as soon as we get anywhere on Dell.com it's all "Dell Recommends Windows Vista". I find this very off putting and it ruins the whole experience of shopping on-line. I don't want to be constantly bombarded with Microsoft adds.

Making the shopping experience more pleasant for consumers helps to simplify their IT experiences by removing stress, which reduces confusion, which leads to better purchasing decisions, which results in happy customers, which generates awesome word of mouth advertising, which brings in bundles of cash for Dell and huge dividends for your shareholders! 5 Comments »

Create the "napkin PC"

Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jervis961 Jun 18

"The Napkin PC aims to bring out the creative passion of the user both individually and in group sessions. It encourages spreading out and allows for multiple creative workflows that can interact or just as easily stay independent. It encourages group interaction and collaboration by allowing any number of interfaces that can be passed around or pinned up, but which all communicate with a central network."

Hit the link for further info. http://tinyurl.com/3azvtw 30 Comments »

STOCK SHARES

Dell submitted by wendy Jun 20

MAKE SHARES OF DELL STOCK AVAILABLE AS A DIRECT PURCHASE FROM DELL TO THE INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR 4 Comments »

Stop using porprietary parts!

Service and Support submitted by joes15 May 28

I have been told that I can only upgrade my Dimension E521 with parts from Dell because other parts won't work. In other words Dell uses proprietary parts. This really dissapoints me. I bought my PC with the thought that I would be able to upgrade later. I think that if Dell would use standard parts it could 1. porbably save a lot of money when it comes to manufacturing, and 2. it could increase sales because people want very upgradeable PC's. I know I do. 4 Comments »

Provide a way to update service tag info to show that PC has been reimaged with Linux

Service and Support submitted by ubondell Jun 11

I bought a Latitude D830 with WinXP because that was the only way I could get Bluetooth (the D830N does not include BT, and a special request to add BT was more than the standard Win model [duh!]). I would like to update the system information for my service tag so that it shows that I am now running Linux on that laptop if for no other reason that I might get more support from Dell for HW drivers, issues, etc. I doubt that Dell (or its HW suppliers) would figure some issue out before the Linux community does, but at least it is another source of solutions for problems. If you log into the Dell support site using the "Enter your service tag" method there is a listing of the original system configuration of your PC, as shipped, but when I switch to the "Current systems configuration page there is a exclamation mark that says: "The current configuration tool is currently not available for your operating system/browser combination." I am running Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04LTS) and Firefox, so I should be equivalent to what Dell ships with the 'N' machines. Please update your tool for all the operating systems you ship, or allow some way to manually update that page, if there is no intention to move that tool from ActiveX, or whatever is Windows/IE-only. 1 Comment »

Young Einstein's

Dell Community submitted by gcetheredge Jun 30 **REVIEWED**

It’s very refreshing to see an organization as Dell to set the standards in the word today. To be able to have the vision to see that the future is revolved around the minds and energies of the young and innovative. I applauded you in this effort but, until all the Einstein’s of tomorrow are given or provided the right tools, this effort will not bear full fruit. Let me explain.

We all know that ideas and trends started by certain groups cross all ethnical and economical borders therefore, allowing all ethnic groups to benefit from these ideals and trends. But before we as humans can benefit from the innovative ideas, we need to nurture the minds with positive influence.

It would be honor if Dell could assist in sponsoring programs designed around mentoring and nurturing the minds of the future Einstein’s. Hypothetically calling them “The Idea Shops”.

As we currently have multiple gathering spots for adults around the country and the world where they get together and socialize, brainstorm, network, etc. Why can’t we develop computer centers that will allow the young and innovative to gather and brainstorm and socialize. I do not mean arcades, but actual centers designed around developing the fundamental needed to succeed in a technological society.

We currently have situations and crisis across the globe that can be solved by education and innovation. With Dell leading the effort I know “IDEASTORM” will be a tremendous success now and in the future.


Please see kelli_l's comment
2 Comments »

TrueLife LCD Display Screens Should Have An Optional Anti-Glare Coating (like camera lenses & eye-glasses)!

Gaming, Monitors and Displays submitted by hjwasson 05/09/07

There are many posts regarding the fact that TrueLife displays are far too reflective for brightly backlit conditions. User responses to the complaints suggest getting a business class display with anti-glare filter - but these displays have not kept pace, are too dim, have poor pixel response rates and often have poor color rendition.

My suggestion is a compromise: Have the option to have TrueLife displays with an Anti-Reflective coating applied - just like those found on photographic optics or eye glasses! Such coatings are not as effective as traditional anti-glare matte screens, but significantly reduce reflections without greatly impacting light transmission (which is why they are used in photographic optics - they actually enhance contrast and reduce unwanted light scatter). They would moderately eliminate most reflections, while still allowing TrueLife displays to be bright and punchy.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-reflective_coating 
 http://www.firstvisionmedia.com/uww/2005_ar/enhance_properties.html 
 http://www.firstvisionmedia.com/uww/2004_ar/ar_product_showcase.html

I'm sure that Seiko, Hoya, Essilor, iCoat and others would vie for the chance to open up a new market for their coatings, and thus bring more profits to them (and lower costs to us). Some IdeaStorm members might be concerned about scratching the coating - but consider:

1. LCD panels are already prone to scratching, and care must be taken in their cleaning.
2. Modern Anti-Reflective (AR) coatings, with their multiple layers, are far more resistant to scratching than they used to be.
3. AR coatings tend to repel dust, so the need for cleaning would be less frequent.
4. With the use of a microfiber cloth (and mild liquid cleaning formulations when needed), the AR coating and display will remain pristine for many years of service.

If you would like to see modern Anti-Reflective coatings applied to TrueLife displays (as an optional upgrade) please promote this post.

6 Comments »

Dell should have linux computers this affordable!

Linux submitted by ringas85 Jun 29

Check out the link,it says it all if you read into it http://store.mandriva.com/product_info.php?products_id=381&osCsid=0f85e0b2cd9... 1 Comment »

Put more staff on the Ideastorm team!

IdeaStorm submitted by zmjjmz May 31

I seriously cannot believe that 3 people is a sufficient amount of admins to manage 450+ pages of ideas.
This is really evidenced by the fact that a _ton_ of ideas have gone ignored by the Ideastorm team, even when they were very popular. 10 Comments »

Linux: We are happy, but what about Open Office & Firefox

Linux, Software submitted by macmoh 05/06/07

Thanks.
For giving support for Linux, now we are very happy but sir where is Open Office and Firefox??

We are waiting for your next step towards...
Hope you will not disappoint us.
:) 3 Comments »

On the XPS M1530 remove the S-Video and add an extra USB port in its place

XPS products submitted by james-94 May 30

The M1530 should have 4 USB ports so why not remove the S-Video so theres extra room for another USB. Then there will be 2 USB on each side. Why have an S-Video out when there is HDMI and VGA that can hook up to your TV? 3 Comments »

Kid tracker

New Product Ideas submitted by wgraham Jun 30

My idea is to create a computer chip wrist band for children. This wrist band would be waterproof and child proof. This product would be used to keep track of your children.... to be able to monitor your childs every step. This would be great in a stiuation of a kidnapping or a runaway. The way to keep track or view there location would be done via cell phone or the computer. This could be used for children of all ages and can not be removed unless they had a special key. 18 Comments »

Notify Customer BEFORE Cancelling Orders

Service and Support submitted by n4aof Jun 6

When Dell decides that they aren't interested in filling a customer's confirmed order it would be nice if Dell would bother notifying the customer (preferably before cancelling the order, but certainly at least immediately afterward). 2 Comments »

Loctite Laptop Screws to Improve Durability

Laptops submitted by gear Jun 4

I have been traveling with a barely 6 week old Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop.

Today, I noticed that a few screws have started to work loose, so I tightened every single screw on the bottom panel that I can reach, and here is what I found:

On the edge closest to user: all 4 screws have worked loose and was in danger of falling out had I not tightened it.

On the edge furthest away from user: 4 screws loosened a bit.

On the left hand side: 4 screws generally OK
.
Screws holding the "access cover" in place: 2 loosened, one nearly to the point of falling out.

I don't even want to think about how the screws I cannot see inside the machine are holding up --- or are they all quietly working their way out ?

This is not good....

Quite frankly, this is rather disappointing.

Either the screws were not properly tightened, or they worked loose over time.

I don't know if Dell uses Loctite or a similar product in assembly, but if you don't, it is time to do so.

It is also very probable that the chassis has too much flex in it, and the screws are working loose in spite of using a Loctite like product.

Somehow, I don't think the Inspiron 1525 is one of the most durable laptops Dell ever built.

This kind of build quality can cost Dell plenty when it comes to warranty costs. 5 Comments »

Dell should make XP Home, not just XP Pro, available until the Microsoft "end of life" date of June 30.

Operating Systems submitted by drewness Jun 23

At about 4pm EST today I was on the Dell site looking at laptops and desktops. I found that Dell no longer offers XP Home as of June 18, even though Microsoft's "end of life" date for XP is June 30. So one is forced to pay an extra $99 for XP Pro because XP Home is no longer an option. Dell should stop this and offer us XP Home until the "end of life" date of June 30. I hope Microsoft will reconsider scrapping XP, but I know how it will go down: we'll be stuck with Vista. At least it won't be around long- Windows 7 is due in late 2009. 12 Comments »

use open hardware

Desktops and Laptops submitted by bootdoc1 Jun 10

I have read many posts asking Dell to supply linux kernel drivers for all their hardware. I suggest that dell stop using proprietary hardware! Use only hardware that have open drivers. All OSes would benefit. 2 Comments »

Flash/Dongle OS install

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops submitted by couldntgetaname Jun 21

Instead of providing restore discs, driver/utilities packages and all the other clutter that comes with a new computer - many of which require license keys or passwords that are easily lost or forgotten - why can't users be supplied with a simple combined USB flash drive and security dongle? This would do away with a pile of CDs that generally just end up being lost or scratched in the bottom of a drawer and cut down on lots of time consuming web trawling to deal with relatively minor problems.

The drive itself could very easily be Dell branded and slotted into a dummy port in a desktop case [like hiding media remotes for laptops], or even used as the main branding for the case [no reason why a flash drive can't be shaped like a Dell badge].

By including a security dongle, each system/flash drive pair could be uniquely matched thereby placating the software gods. 4 Comments »

24 Core, 48GB clusters can be custom-built for $3500. Idea: Sell one.

Sales Strategies submitted by jmxz Jun 16

Michael Tiemann (VP Red Hat)'s blog has an interesting article about a 24 Core, 48 GB RAM, 400W power cluster.

As the article mentions, this cluster compares very well against a popular model Apple:

Compared with an 8-core/16GB RAM MacPro (a favorite in the 3D community), this computer has 3x the CPU/RAM with approximately the same thermal profile, and cost $3500 in parts, which is about half the cost of the much less powerful Mac Pro

Idea:
... Dell - sell these and market them directly against the 2X more expensive and 3X less powerful Apple. 3 Comments »