Set up an independent business unit for GNU/Linux systems
Dell, Linux submitted by glynmoody
03/02/07
Clearly, there is a huge pent-up demand for pre-installed GNU/Linux systems from Dell. But equally clearly, it would be difficult for Dell to make, sell and support such systems with its current business model.
Why doesn't Dell adopt the solution outlined by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen in his book The Innovator's Dilemma? That is, to set up a completely autonomous division, dedicated solely to meeting the demand for such systems - one that is not obliged to follow any of Dell's traditional practices.
Unconstrained by Dell's current methods or cost structures, it will be able to explore, devise and adopt innovative solutions to serve this very different market profitably. Dell makes money, people get their pre-installed systems.
5070
The Clutter Is Forming: We Need A Moderator
Dell Community, IdeaStorm submitted by googideas
02/17/07 **IMPLEMENTED**
Approximately 48 hours into its life, and Ideastorm is filling up with repetition and senseless comments. Since moderation cannot be exercised by the participants a moderator a la Dell Employee must put up her hand. Or his hand. We aren't picky!
One: Repeating the same ideas from earlier posts is a pain to the reader and a waste of space and time. These should be removed.
Two: Suggestions which are without applicability to the issues at hand should be removed: one post states that "Dell should set up Dell Pay to compete with Paypal." Sigh. Why?
For what unique purpose? Dell's business is not online payments, in the same way Apple's is not selling music (they sell music at a loss to sell iPods at a gain). There is no benefit to Dell and it meets no need.
Since this format is experimental and fully funded by Dell, I encourage Dell to cut the wheat from the chafe and remove as much as they see fit. For all of the "I have rights" and "freedom of speech" advocates, you don't. This is a place where the good keep going and the bad go out.
The less posts the better. It provides Dell what they want: the opportunity to test strong ideas properly. Without the removal of clutter, the good ideas will by dint of the time they are posted (e.g. 3am) and the increasing volume of posts, inevitably suffer at times the forest's size despite the grandeur of the tree in question.
I may be going against the grain of popular opinion, but you add your vote to this post if you believe in the goal of this site, and not the freedom it offers to utter the first inane thing which comes to mind.
jackie_c is IdeaStorm's moderator. Also, for any mod updates, check out the talk with the moderator blog at the top of the page.
12547
No monitor
Monitors and Displays submitted by kushboy
02/19/07
One of the only reasons I won't even consider purchasing a computer from Dell is that I was told I could not purchase a system without also purchasing a monitor as well. I don't need a monitor, so don't make me buy one, and I won't.
1370
The World could be... Trial Free?
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by tkell97
02/25/07
I think they shouldn't offer trial software. It's a waste if you don't need it.
Why? Read why:
1. They are promoting products
2. Dell Network Assistant does no more than windows software. Why not free?
3. No Works... If you don't want it!
Well agree?
70
no unwanted software
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by gmast
02/25/07
I have to spend time removing unwanted software from Dell Desktop and Laps. Please include a no unwanted software option that would provide a clean install of the OS, patches and drivers. No trial software or unwanted software.
Thanks,
Gary
210
Linux or BSD alternative to "Windows Home Server"
Operating Systems submitted by homer
02/21/07
Dell already offers Business server products, but I think the time has come to accept that many home consumers also use servers (albeit of a smaller and cheaper variety). Microsoft certainly seem to agree with that conclusion, which is why they are developing their Home Server product.
Linux and BSDs are the De Facto server operating systems, and a typical Linux server setup can offer an order of magnitude more services than what is being proposed in Windows Home Server ... but without the cost, and with all the traditional benefits that Linux brings, like better security, stability, efficiency, and control.
I propose that Dell offer SFF (small form factor) Linux and/or BSD servers for non-business customers, and also standard form factor servers for those who want them, but with an emphasis on low-power consumption, so-called "quiet computing", and general headless use (no KVM).
An example of a very easy to set up server product, is
http://www.freenas.org/< featured in a review on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rlC61qipiM< the emphasis of FreeNAS is obviously file storage, but I'd prefer to see a home server more oriented to all-in-one service provision.
As an example, one of my home servers offers the following services to all the workstations on my network:
bind DNS
DHCP
OpenSSH
Denyhosts (SSH hack protection + auto-reporting)
Dovecot IMAP
Postfix MTA
SpamAssassin (with Spamhaus + SpamCop RBLs)
Leafnode NNTP
Yam (Yum server)
RSS (local feed from Yam)
Apache
Squid
Privoxy
AWStats
IPTables (FireStarter)
PXE network boot (FC6 busybox + install script)
NFS
CIFS (Samba)
CUPS print server
Rsync (backup for all connected workstations)
Mondo (bare metal self-backup, i.e. disaster recovery)
BitTorrent Server + Tracker (Hosting FC5 and others)
GiFT P2P server + index node (hosting custom RPMs)
VNC server (Fluxbox)
MythTV server node (1 of 4)
Cinelerra render node (1 of 8)
The Yam server is particularly useful, since it facilitates updating the software (a la automatic updates) across the whole network. I.e. download once, deploy many times, thus saving a lot of bandwidth.
Now I wouldn't expect a Dell Linux Home Server to go as far as I have with the above services, but it's just a flavour of what's possible.
I should also add, that the server in question is a mere 533Mhz machine, with just 512MB of memory, yet it works transparently with no visible speed issues, or issues of any kind whatsoever, so that'll give you some idea of how efficient Linux is as a server OS, and how reliable.
Please vote for this idea. A pre-built, pre-installed, Linux home server is definitely the way forward, in this rapidly emerging market space.
1130
Sell OS free laptops/desktops, include the CUSTOM CD/DVD
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by tripleii
02/25/07
I applaud Dell for offering some OS free desktops and laptops even before ideastorm. It is a creative loophole in the current OEM agreement where MS must be paid, regardless of which OS is installed. Pre-installing on the laptop (where margins are already tight) means you pay MS and the time/effort/distro cost (if applicable). Here is my open letter from my blog, reposted here, as an idea to offer Linux that "just works", requires almost no effort on your part and avoids the MS OEM tax because you are still just selling "blank" computers.
TripleII
http://mostly-linux.blogspot.com/2007/02/oem-barrier-is-falling-open-letter-t...
Dear Dell,
I have been actively reading your Dell Ideastorm forums and was excited to see your announcements about moving forward offering Linux pre-installed. This action on your part will position your company to reap the benefits from the open source enthusiast community. With that said, like most who post in your forums I have advice, feedback, etc, that I have outlined below.
Laptop's without an OS
I understand and applaud you for offering some models without an OS (and more to come) and understand that this is the best you can do. If you pre-install any OS, Linux, BSD, etc, you are bound and forced to pay Microsoft anyway. Being forced to pay MS AND installing Linux on the laptop diminishes your margins even more in a fiercely competitive market. Unfortunately, for the consumer, even those well versed in Linux must go through the process of installing the distro, tweaking it to work, and configuring it completely before they can move on to the computing experience. There are also the unknowns such as "Does Wireless Work with Ubuntu?", "Can I run 3D accelerated with OpenSuse?", etc.
There is an interim solution that enables you to preserve your profit margin and virtually eliminate the problems above. As you mentioned, you are working with Novel to certify Suse on some of your desktops. Why not embrace the give and take with the open source community even more.
If you were to send me a Dell D620 (what I am writing this on right now in Mandriva 2007), I could pre-install it, tweak it with the required 915Resolution patch, set the BIOS to allow for seamless docking station operation and ship it back. Poof, you have a disk image for the D620 line. You can then create a new installable DVD from the HD (it would only 1/2 fill a single DVD). You offer this DVD to your customers when they purchase the Dell with FreeDos.
Upsides
1) No MS tax
2) Customers know that everything will "just work" when they install the image
3) Customers have the DVD image, they can restore their PC to "factory" settings in 30 minutes.
4) You, literally, have to do nothing to get your laptop certified, get an image, and heck, I'll even throw in the imaged DVD for you.
Downsides
1) I can't think of any.
Now, on a serious note, I don't expect you to ship me a laptop to pre-configure it, however, why not place the call to Mandriva, Ubuntu, FreeSpire, Xandros, etc. You probably would not even have to lend them laptops. You ask them to pre-configure their distro, exactly the way they want, pre-configured, and send you the D620 DVD, or D480 DVD and so on down the line.
On your web site, you openly have an option on all your laptops (for which you have images created) to ship without an OS pre-installed. You then have the customer select the Linux Image DVD they would like. I can see it now.
$799 for XYZ, choose an OS DVD.
1) Linspire with Crossover prepaid $45
2) Mandriva with Club Membership for a year $45
3) Xandros with Crossover and 6 months support $60
4) Ubuntu $0
5) SLED $60
Well, you get the idea.
Desktops
There is no reason you can't offer the same program with Desktops, however, pre-installing any Linux version is great. There are pricing problems as pointed out throughout your forums. In many cases the pre-installed Linux PC costs more than the equivalent Windows installed PC. There are also cases where OS free PCs cost more than the equivalent Windows installed PC.
Again, I do understand the problems you have the MS tax. If any OS is installed, per your OEM agreement, you must pay MS, even when Windows is not installed. To make the purchasing process equivalent, and to realize more sales for you and price savings for the Linux enthusiast, selling your desktops with the same type of imaged DVD would likely be a positive first step.
You see, the number one hindrance to purchasing a PC from a large OEM vendor wihtout a brick and mortar store locally is two fold.
1) We don't want to be forced to pay MS for their operating system that we will not use and
2) We have to spend a lot of time making sure the PC we buy, everything "just works".
For me, I stuck the Mandrake Live CD in a co-worker's machine, and there it was, everything working or not working for me to see. Many Linux users will literally, bring a live CD to the store to dry-run the desktop/laptop they are looking at purchasing. With your machines, that is not an option, and the uncertainty factor certainly hinders your direct sales to the Linux community.
I think you will quickly find that, if you offer to sell it any preconfigured distro CD/DVD with any of your blank laptop/desktop computers, but ask the CD/DVD to be supplied, the response will be overwhelmingly positive and swift from the community and Linux distribution suppliers. It is truly Win-Win-Win (Dell-Supplier-Customer). I buy desktop X, ask for Suse 10.2 and you include the DVD Novel supplied you, leave it in the drive, and on first power on, it installs, and everything "just works"
TripleII
P.S. Mandriva 2007 on D620, 1440X900 works great. 1024X768 on boot up, set your resolution to 1440x900 then click on "configure X-Server". It will ask you to install the 915Resolution fix. That gets you out of 1024X768 expanded mode on your screen. 3D acceleration, 3D effects and ~1500 with glxgears. If using dock, set BIOS to "Internal video card when docked".
270
Provide Open Source Repository and Installer for Windows
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies, Software submitted by chadarius
02/25/07
One of the incredible things about most Linux distros is the huge repository of software available that installs a software package and all its dependencies with a few mouse clicks.
There are so many free/libre and open source projects available that could be put into a similar repository for Windows users. The availability of easy to install, slickly packaged, and free software would be a superb service for your customers.
There are so many additional benefits to this that I can't list them all, but here are a few.
1. Less disk space used (most open source apps are far less bloated than proprietary couterparts)
2. Lower licensing costs for Dell and better leverage on licensing for customers that still do want the pain of using Windows and proprietary software.
3. Providing lower costs, better value, better security.
4. Speaking of security... the repository can provide automatic security and functionality updates.
5. Provides users gateway towards using a FLOSS OS like Ubuntu because they are using the same applications in Windows as they would in Linux. This give them an easy transition and more choice.
Choice is good!
150
Slam Linux into schools - use virtualisation
Education, Linux submitted by spook
02/19/07
Create a really rich educational platform based on open source software and promote into school environments. This is likely best executed using virtualisation so that administration costs are close to minimum. (If students screw the O/S - just re-launch a virtual session)
613
Choice of Operating System for the customer - new business opportunities
Operating Systems, Service and Support, Small Business submitted by balou59
02/21/07
It should be possible for private and corporate customers to choose the following:
- buy PCs with no pre-installed OS
- buy PCs optimised for Linux with fully supported hardware
- buy PCs with Linux pre-installed, ideally leaving the choice of the distribution to the customer
- buy PCs with dual-boot installation of operating systems chosen by the customer
Of course any free BSD flavor is also welcome.
There is a huge community able to give Free Software support to customers, one suggestion would be to establish localised web pages listing support offers in various countries. This could be another business opportunity for Dell: cooperation with Free Software support partners.
Of course I would love to see Dell taking measures to influence hardware component manufacturers to provide free drivers. Dell being one of the bigest reseller of hardware it should use it's market power in the interest of the customer.
This is a fabulous opportunity for Dell to become the leader of user-friendly hardware resellers. Market is drifting to new business models worldwide, especially Free Software and it's time to take the path to this very promising future now, not to be left behind as a has-been.
It also makes Dell more attractive to customers in emerging countries, especially the Far East, Latin America and Africa where people are not able or willing to spend money for obsolete software license fees. BTW, offering Free Software is the best way to prevent people from stealing proprietary software.
It also helps to spread IT knowledge all over the world, creating new customers for user-friendly hardware.
Actually I am not a Dell customer because of the lack of Free Software support amongst the actual offers. But I would love to change and recommend Dell to my customers, friends and family if the future offers are more user-friendly.
923
Pre-install OpenBSD
Software submitted by austinhook
02/19/07
Pre-install OpenBSD with Firefox and Open Office so people can hook up to broadband right away, and never have a worry about about a virus.
761
Unix or Linux on Dell Pc
Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by rudy
02/20/07
hallo from germany,
first please excuse my bad english....
I think Unix btw. OpenBSD are a very good idea on DellPcs or Notebooks, the same ithink for Linux...
I think it helps to push these Os on a productivy Pc, and the perfomer of Drivers, Soundcards or other hardware must open there source for the developers in the unix or linux community...
That is a better way to make a choise for the people and it helps to push this execelent OS...
I think the monopol from microsoft must became the right annswer and by the way it helps to make the world better for the people...
By the way openBSD needs Help to push it, its a high security but an nice and easy to used system..
All BSD are stable and famous Systems...
Best regards from germay rudyFehren
896
Freedom of choice : os & applications (us & row)
Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by shaoul
02/20/07
Hi,
i am not the first one and probably not the last one.
a freedom of choice for the OS
means you may have (& pay for) ms windows
but can choose for a linux (mandrake, suse, novell, ubuntu)
here dell may or may not sell an additional subscription
or have NO os installed at all. (cheapest)
a freedom of applications
ms office, word, works, ....
or equivalent 'open' softwares
this will also result in some financial benefit for the customer
if you want to stick to a microsoft all-in at a good price -> be welcome
if you do not need or want the m$ tax, you pay less
now, why take a machine with an os while i can download it ?
- maybe you will not have to pay for the open os when installed by dell
- installation is done, no need to look after drivers.
this can be difficult under linux, but also under windows
hp support in france refused to help me install win xp pro because the machine
was sold with xp media. close to none of the hw was recognized
(no driver to be found on hp web site)
i thought to call hp us and i got the drivers. rather long intl call...
the same is true for the applications
some customers already have paid for 'office' or windows, why double ?
last word and conclusion :
it is a matter of :
CHOICE
LIBERTY
CHEAPER PRICES
1007
Flexible OS selection
Operating Systems, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Desktops and Laptops submitted by frobert
02/20/07
Woould GREATLY appreciate the ability to select more than ONE OS for a new computer. Given the ONLY choice of XP Media stinks! One should have all XP choices.
Having a linux boot sector would be good also.
No reason why Firefox can't be placed on the new unit @ Dell--it's FREE.
Dell just needs MORE selections especially since it touts building YOUR OWN computer THEN give us the abilitly to CHOOSE !!!
912
PowerEdge storage controllers that work better with Linux
Servers and Storage submitted by jwb
02/19/07
Dump the PERC storage controllers in the PowerEdge line and sell me something that actually works well with Linux. Not only are the PERC series of controllers chronic underperformers, but they are also almost impossible to monitor. I have PowerEdge 1650s where I have had to write a 100-line Perl program just to shoehorn the PERC monitoring into Nagios. I'd rather have something that works out-of-the-box with my operating system of choice.
I recently had a choice between PowerEdge 1950 and Penguin Computing Relion 1600. Even though the Dell was 10% less, I chose the Penguin because I knew the Dell storage controller would be a constant problem.
994
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