jnorman39

Plain, Easy-to-Access, Linux/OSS/FOSS offerings

Linux, Service and Support, Software submitted by phubert 02/28/07

I know many are complaining about the multiplicity of Linux-related idea submissions. And, I am in full agreement that many should be eliminated or MERGED.

However, I haven't seen this and would like to make it VERY plain:

If Dell is going to offer Linux/OSS/FOSS alternatives for their desktops and laptops, they should be EASY TO FIND.

In fact, this should be offered ALONGSIDE the Windows offerings.

Although I don't like seeing the Vista recommendation, if Dell included "If you would like OS and Application software alternatives, Dell representatives will be happy to discuss available options with you!", I'd be VERY satisfied.

But, this also means both PHONE and WEB ordering should FULLY and clearly represent and support such Dell offerings.

I realize Dell couldn't possibly attempt to offer every conceivable combination of Linux/OSS/FOSS choices. They WILL have to pick some packages and options that will be easy for them to provide.

I WOULD NOT expect them to SUPPORT every piece of software so provided!

Linspire/Ubuntu could handle their own updates very nicely, for example.

OpenOffice and Firefox will both check for their own updates.

I'm sure what most of us want to see is the ability to install and run on a wide range of Dell systems. Any Dell GUARANTEE of such, however, will require work on THEIR part... UNLESS distributors are SO excited about the Dell moves that THEY offer to DO the certification.

For essentially unfunded distributions, that would be difficult or impossible. So, let's show some common sense here in what we ask for! 1 Comment »

Moving Dell forward - in all arenas

Dell, Linux, Operating Systems, Service and Support submitted by phubert 03/01/07

A brief outline...

* contact existing Linux distribution maintainers
- ask if THEY will certify their distribution with Dell machines
if Dell provides the machine.

* offer pre-installed Linux for such distributions

* create a website for 'Dell OSS community' users to discuss/support
FOSS software on Dell machines - forums for Windows & hardware
issues could be created as well.

* create Dell ombudsman positions for Windows/Hardware/Linux-FOSS
issues.

* EXPAND aggressively into Consulting Services, beginning
with what Dell already knows: hardware - but consider adding
UNIX-to-Linux and Windows-to-Linux server and desktop
migrations.

* create similar support for non-English-speaking customers,
perhaps specific to the market area (Europe, Asia, etc.) 6 Comments »

Yet another reason why Dell needs to become more openly Linux-friendly

Education, Linux submitted by phubert 03/01/07

Microsoft Windows ousted at California school district
http://searchopensource.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid39_gci1245...

Windsor is a short distance north of Santa Rosa on hwy 101 6 Comments »

Linux on existing Dell machines = an entirely NEW line of Dell PRODUCTS at little to no additional cost

Linux submitted by phubert 03/02/07

Any suggestion that Linux sales would be minimal completely overlooks one VERY interesting factor: there are times when SUPPLY GENERATES demand. Take any NEW product, for example. You COULD (very erroneously) say; "No one has ever bought this, so it won't amount to much, if any revenue." Interesting. IF you follow that logic consistently, there would NEVER be ANY _new_ products.

Linux on Dell machines has the same potential effect as the introduction of a NEW PRODUCT. The Dell's are the same, but the package offered is COMPLETELY different. I believe the demand FOR Linux on Dell machines expressed at this site supports this theory.

If Dell recognizes THIS, they may just CREATE a market for their existing line of machines AS THOUGH they were ENTIRELY NEW products... without the COST of developing an entirely new line OF products. 2 Comments »

Proof that Linux and OSS are ONLY for hobbyists!

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by phubert 03/06/07

Since so many have tried to say Linux/OSS are only for hobbyists and 'not for business', I thought it would help if we could supply anecdotal evidence of business, Education and government USE of Linux and OSS.

The title, clearly, is an exercize in light sarcasm. 552 Comments »

By Openly OFFERING and Supporting Linux, Dell will CREATE new demand!

Linux, Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by phubert 03/17/07

ONE principle I am convinced is true is that, should any well-established, industry-leading company back and offer a product with well-demonstrated advantages to a market where it is relatively unknown, that product will immediately gain visibility and credibility to a wider audience.

In other words, although Linux has MORE than proved itself, on most desktops, especially outside large enterprises, it is largely unknown, facing an uphill battle for mindshare against the defacto standards, Microsoft Windows and Apple OS.

Should Dell openly offer a broad selection of systems with Linux, while increasing support for the platform (even if that support is only (1) ensuring drivers are available and (2) a web site for customers with minimal direct involvement FROM Dell), I am convinced Dell will CREATE a new and fast-growing market FOR desktop/laptop Linux!

In fact, I expect they will create multiple markets! 13 Comments »

Good Will - Older DELL machines with Linux for nonprofits!!

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by phubert 03/20/07

What nonprofits could benefit by having Dell offer older machines configured with Linux?

Could Dell establish GOOD WILL while exercizing practices of a new SERVICES DIVISION by making such an offer?

Don't limit it to secular organizations, tho... consider also the religious ones to avoid discrimination...

...just a thought 1 Comment »

How to support Linux/OSS - Is Dell using Linux INTERNALLY?

Desktops, Linux, Servers and Storage submitted by phubert 03/20/07

How can Dell create a Services Division that can provide consulting support for Linux migrations?

BEGIN TO USE LINUX INTERNALLY.

On DESKTOPS as well as on SERVERS!

* 10 Comments »

Dell - save $$ by insisting on Windows AND Linux drivers from ALL suppliers

Dell, Linux submitted by phubert 03/20/07

Dell _could_ use its influence as a large-scale buyer to insist that, in order to SELL TO Dell, suppliers (NICs, video cards, printers, etc.) would have to supply both Windows AND Linux drivers for all equipment.

After all, why should Dell worry about compatibility? 3 Comments »

The Real Advantages of Linux

Linux submitted by cosh 03/30/07 **COMING SOON**

• Linux is free. It's free for use on an unlimited number of computers. For ever.
• There are a variety of excellent distros of it now. Similar goals, but different approaches, so you pick exactly what you want.
• An amazing library of free, open programs are available for download with any and all distrobutions. Linux lets you explore these by category and choose which ones to try.
• Linux is efficient and runs on pc's that have a significantly lower spec (and are therefore cheaper) than what Vista ever could.
• Linux is proven secure. No viruses for Linux have ever propagated successfully, and there were only ever 14 of them.
• Linux is absolutely top-of-the-range Open Source Software. Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have reviewed Linux's code, making constant improvements across the OS. Now, the end user can rely on it. Linux is amazingly stable.
• Linux never stopped caring about where you wanted to go today. The designers always listen to problems, and then fix them.
• OpenOffice is a flexible and powerful office-suite and is free for all to use. Again, this is high-quality Open Source Software.
• Linux will let you play your music and movies without fuss.
• Linux will let you browse the internet and email safely.
• As well as being free in price, Linux is freedom. It never places DRM restrictions on you or spys on the way you use music and media. It just does what you ask.
• Thanks to continuing work on the Windows compatibility layers WINE and CrossOver, you can run increasingly complex Windows programs directly in Linux if you prefer, including Office, Internet Explorer, Photoshop and iTunes. Explore some screenshots here.
• Linux has huge online dedicated support communities. Dell can use those, to reduce the efforts of providing its own Linux support desks.

And for comparison, the disadvantages of Windows

• Windows is frustratingly expensive plus you have to pay for it again if you have another computer. Windows license management is glued onto the operating system. It scans your hardware and uses the hardware key (sent to Microsoft's website of course) to track one copy of Windows across different computers.
• If you don't like something that's changed in the new version, tough.
• Windows makes even the basic computers in the Dell range more expensive because it's a memory and resource hog. Vista's requirements have forced basic memory used to manage the OS up four-fold. So with far more memory - you get the same results.
• There are over 114,000 known viruses for Windows. See this list of viruses, and note how many do and don't begin with "W32" (which means Windows).
• Windows is closed-source. Thousands of defects are permanently left in it because there simply aren't enough people working on it to iron them all out (or probably even notice them).
• Windows is bossy and obtrusive. Vista is swamped with irritating security dialogs. You opened this file. Cancel or allow? You want to view this website. Cancel or allow? etc. People don't want to run operating systems - they want run applications and get on with what they're doing.
• Windows Media Player (reportedly) submits reports of DVDs you watch to a file on Microsoft's server, tracked with an individual id. See this page. Surely to god nobody wants this? Or this?!?!
• Look at this Microsoft diagram of how Vista plays HD video. Notice the repeated decryption and reencryption before the data gets sent to your screen. Notice the multiple "protected environments", and the fact that your prgrams are deemed to be "unprotected". Who is Vista trying to protect the video from? - YOU. This blatantly outrageous content protection is because it thinks you will try to share the video with friends and it doesn't want you to. Plus the multiple decryption stages of each frame of video put a frightening strain on the computer meaning only high-end computers will be able to play HD content in Vista (for the near future).
• It's just... not nice. Not just the OS, but Microsoft's attitude. See the Halloween Documents if you haven't already. Microsoft's reports make a shocking read. Their attitude is cold and ruthless, and we don't like that, and we don't like Dell to be tied so tightly into that.

Linux is not the be-all and the end-all, but it is growing faster, much faster, than Windows. The Linux community can scale ten times the number of developers that Windows can. Arguably, it's set to soon be superior to Windows in virtually every respect.

Dual-booting options with Windows and Linux give maximum choice to the user. This option is a must for Dell computers. Microsoft's vendor-lock-in contracts which force PC retailers to support and "recommend" only Windows are unethical and we don't like them. It's gone on for too long. Let's be honest Dell, ask yourself, what are Microsoft so afraid of? Will they lose money through dual booting both Windows and Linux? No not if Windows was the better OS... So is Microsoft quietly admitting to it... Come on Dell, we all want you to show the world how much more a computer can be! We want you to show the world what a computer is meant to be, and marvel at people's suprise and delight! Giving your customers choice can only be a good thing. Don't ignore this chance to become the open source pioneer.

Might I suggest that promotion is vital. Linux computers will not sell well if they are hidden in some back-alley part of your website. To get the best results for the work you put in, make sure people can see it and that it is well-described, so people who've never heard of it don't get confused.

Make sure that you make these computers available to markets outside America too. Don't ignore us here in Europe! The European Commission's had quite enough of Windows anyway, after fining Microsoft €497 million ($603 million USD) for anti-competitive behavior.

Another idea, to iron out compatibility problems and get interesting extra feedback, beta-test some of your new Linux range with a large-ish selection of people before making it fully available. Unlike with Windows, you have full options to customise the style, background and layout and almost complete behavior of the OS. You might want to put your own touches on it. For example the default installation of Ubuntu is a light-brown/orange colour, which lacks much universal appeal. Test to see whether people want something layed out similarly to Windows or just barebones Linux defaults for the particular distro(s). (I personally would like something similar to Windows' look.)


Open the window. Linux is ready for Dell, and Dell is ready for Linux.

We appreciate the promises you've made already Dell. Thank you. We're all behind you and look forward to the results.



52 Comments »

Partner with Geek Squad & others for Linux DEMOS and Support

Dell, Linux, Service and Support submitted by phubert28 04/04/07

Dell should talk with the various 'Call a Geek' entities about providing Linux system DEMOS and SUPPORT, including ISP connection (where ISP's say they do not support Linux), home networking (including multi-architecture environments: Linux-Windows-Mac OS X), home mail server, web server, print server, etc.

Note: I am saying they should be CAPABLE of this and offer DEMOS, setup and training (for pay, of course). 3 Comments »

$299 Laptop

Laptops submitted by jack_satan Feb 1

Dell already sells a completely functional (albeit low-end) Vostro 1000 for $399 with a 15.4 in. screen, 80 GB HDD, Windows, and free shipping. If they just offered the same computer with a 14.1 in. screen, open-source operating system, and 60 GB HDD, they should be able to sell it at $299 with an even better profit margin.

Furthermore, besides for the public relations coup from offering the first fully functional sub $300 laptop, Dell would also be opening up a whole new market of buyers that have been clamoring to get their hands on the OLPC XO, Asus EEE PC, and Intel Classmate. 20 Comments »

Dell Could Become the OpenGL Hero to the Open Source Community

Linux submitted by hmwamboldt 05/01/07

For a very long time, OpenGL support in the Open Source community has been spotty at best.

If Dell would take on the role of comprehensive testing, and repackaging (for updates) Nvidia or ATI drivers for several supported hardward (and software) configurations, that would make Dell a hero, at least to me. I've spent an inordinate amount of time installing, updating, patching, downgrading, and repairing damage done to systems by installing OpenGL drivers and OpenGL related system crashes over the last few years. It should be noted, (in defence of ATI and Nvidia) that many, if not most, of these problems stem from interactions with various chipsets, bridges, and bugs in various Xorg components. Hence my emphasis on testing.

Furthermore, if Dell could encourage Nvidia and ATI to release the specs for their oldest propriatary hardware (it's gotta be at least 4 or 5 years old now), that would probably provide a global benefit. But, if nothing else, comprehensive testing of new drivers and providing "Dell certified" update packages for Linux, would probably make Dell a prefered vendor for many, many midtier OpenGL users like myself.

-H- 5 Comments »

Professional Apps and Popular Games..for Linux??

Gaming, Linux, Software submitted by kdubber 05/01/07

Until a Linux distro will support such popular apps as PhotoShop or AutoCAD and others that are necessary for some of us to make a living Linux is stuck in the also ran category.. this is unfortunate.
Dell could lead the way by working with AutoDesk, Adobe and others to provide this application availability in Linux. NO these apps would not be free.. but if the price to buy a Linux version was in line with the Windows version? Not immensely higher like some Mac application of WinSoftware.. then a REAL alternative is showing up on the scene..
If this same distro was to support most games that are hugely popular.. WHOLESALE migration would start to take place.. IMHO anyway.. what do you think?
I think a DellLinux distro makes sense.. or some other named distro supported by a consortium of non-Windows hardware and software suppliers.. do they all like being tied to Windows for their success?
Kent 8 Comments »

Xandros Linux on Dell PC's

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhrizzo 05/01/07

I have used Xandros Linux and it is very much like using Windows. It would be an easy transition for most Windows users. It includes Open Office, Firefox, Thunderbird, Cross Over and many other Linux applications that would be useful to Windows users transitioning over to Linux. It even has a software update function called Xandros Network which checks your configuration and updates your software similar to Windows Update. I have not found another linux distribution that comes as close in (Windows type) functionality as Xandros. It would be well worth your consideration. Comment »

Offer Ubuntu PC's by Dell to Wal-Mart.com and other Retailers

Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by josmar52789 05/01/07

Don't make it hard to get the Ubuntu PCs. Offer them in retailers like Wal-Mart, CompUSA, OfficeMax, whatever, even if they're just sold on their respective websites.

It's time Dell took a stand. Anyone could pre-install Ubuntu, but be bold and offer it to the mainstream consumer. 2 Comments »

Sell discounted Ubuntu CDs to Dell customers who didn't get the option.

Linux submitted by jmxz 05/01/07

Now for all us unfortunate Dell customers who got Windows when we would have preferred Linux during the years after you stopped selling Linux notebooks (2002?) - how about selling a discounted Ubuntu DVDs.

Yes, I know I could download them or get CDs sent to me from

for $0 ; or buy the disks for a few dollars from one of many online retailers

But I might want it from you for a number of reasons.

• I would expect the version from you to have the appropriate drivers for Dell machines.
• shipit.ubuntu.com "takes up to ten weeks" to send the disks for $0. I trust you could send them faster.
• I might not want to download and burn CDs; perhaps a slow ISP or I might not have a CD burner.
• You already made me give you cash for an OS I didn't want. Perhaps you could use some of these dollars to give me a few dollar discount below what the alternatives cost.

7 Comments »

Michael Dell's LinuxWorld Keynote speech had many good ideas

Dell, Linux, Small Business submitted by vfun 04/18/07

Michael Dell Himself gave an excellent keynote speech at LinuxWorld in 2000 which contained many great ideas. The intro is posted on Dell's own website.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/speeches/msd/2000_08_15_msd_li...

Linux will be a key area of growth for the industry, and for Dell. We're using Linux in our own operations and see the value it provides. We want to help our customers realize the same efficiencies.

Dell is now the No. 2 provider of Linux-based systems worldwide and the first major manufacturer to offer Linux across its <font>full product line</font>.

We want to be your premier Linux development and Internet infrastructure partner. As the market for Internet infrastructure continues to explode, Linux has the opportunity to make a difference throughout the mainstream of corporate computing, an area where Dell excels.
Ultimately, at Dell, we plan to win with Linux by helping our customers succeed.

More specifics - Michael Dell said they can help with

http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20000815S0014

"One of the big challenges has been the driver world," Dell said. "Chipset companies and peripheral companies need to develop for Linux. Dell can be a powerful ally. We can say, 'if you want to work for Dell give us drivers with support for Linux.'
...
"Are we there yet? No, but you can be sure we're working with those [suppliers] to give us Linux so we can ... give [customers] Linux support," Dell added.
...
"We don't believe Solaris on X86 environment makes a lot of sense," he said. "We think Linux is the right choice."

As well as claims that they have Dell across the entire range of their products (though they only seem to make a subset available - but at the time they were selling Linux notebooks, workstations, and

http://lwn.net/2000/features/LinuxWorld/DellKeynote.php3

We[Dell]'re making it easy for our customers to get Linux. Our interest came when our customers asked for it. Our customers were doing a lot with Linux, but we weren't doing much to support them. Now we have Linux across all of our products and we are developing tools to make it easier to use. Our investment in Eazel is an example of that. On the desktop, Linux now has an equivalent user base to MacIntosh, which is pretty impressive, plus Linux has the largest growth of any operating system.

The IdeaStorm Idea here - is to just do what Michael said are good ideas back in 2000.
The countdown starts in 2000.
10 Comments »

No Linux CANNOT totally replace Windows...sadly!

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by kdubber 05/01/07

I see from the most popular article of the moment.. one that supports multi-booting of linux distros and Windows ..that the belief is that Linux can totally replace Windows...
SAD but true is the fact that this is really NOT true.. I wish it could..but as I have written before here and in other places..Some professional apps just CANNOT be replaced or run under Linux.. Such programs as Adobe's PhotoShop and AutoDesk's AutoCAD .. just to name two that I know of... simply cannot be replaced by anything presently available under Linux ... correct me if I am wrong..but having used QCAD and the GIMP.. they are not yet ready for Prime Time in the professional Drafting, Engineering or Graphic Arts arenas..
Developing an Ubuntu based distro that will run these.. or a consortium of Adobe, AutoDesk Dell and others to whom this would be an advantage... developing said distro..or porting ability..
As well as getting the MASSIVE gaming community a Linux distro that will be game friendly.. and a FIRST choice option instead of emulation..
This will get Linux where it needs to be in order to become a true Windows replacement ...until Linux can run these professional and popular programs.. it wil remain sadly an also ran in the OS camps..truly a shame considering it's value as a rock solid platform under which to operate!
Kent 12 Comments »

Send Best Ubuntu Laptop (and Desktop?) to PC Magazine!

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by maccam94 05/01/07

PC Magazine is one of the most widely read computing magazines, and by sending your top Linux configurations to them for review, you will get the word out about your exciting new offerings, as well as generate awareness about Linux itself. 5 Comments »