jtsagata

Dell should not promote Windows Vista

Advertising and Marketing, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by rst 02/20/07

Dell does not have to promote Windows Vista. 8 Comments »

Thunderbird instead of Outlook

Software submitted by yesmathew 02/24/07

Thunderbird delivers. Enjoy safe, fast, and easy email, with intelligent spam filters, quick message search, and customizable views. Brought to you by Mozilla, Thunderbird makes email better.

- http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Thunderbird 1 Comment »

BOYCOTT VISTA!

Operating Systems submitted by reg 03/21/07

Dell Dudes,

Microsoft reserves the right to spy on your computer.

The more you learn how Microsoft EULA has the right to enter your computer, check out what software you are using, and also use the DRM tools in Vista to prevent you from seeing files, data, videos, or hearing 'unauthorized' music files - the more you get a sick, sinking feeling in your gut that someone else has taken control of your machine.

US Federal Government Agencies have BANNED Microsoft Vista, and for good reason.

The Microsoft EULA takes control of your machine, stating directly: "this agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights." Even potentially deleting files or disabling programs.

Compared to the costs of Apple OS X or any Linux Distribution,

The Costs of Windows Vista are Unacceptable.

Keep in mind that Microsoft was convicted by U.S. Courts for its criminal behavior, and is being forced to pay $4 million A Day by the European Union for being in violation of their judgments.

Anti-freedom Vista takes away your rights - do you want to Confirm or Deny?

BOYCOTT WINDOWS VISTA MACHINES!

If you support Linux, freedom, democracy, or just want to keep control of Your own machine that You buy with Your own money, PROMOTE this idea now.

Microsoft - Where in the world did you think you were going to go today?

Let Dell know - You Don't Want Windows Vista. 993 Comments »

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. 5 Comments »

Keyboard with no Windows logo

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops submitted by lucabrivio 02/27/07

It would be nice to have a keyboard without Windows logos, especially for those that use other operating environments than Microsoft Windows.

There would be several alternatives to have a Windows' logo on the "Super" key, including:
- having a Dell logo instead;
- having a custom key (maybe less cost-effective?);
- having a key with no logo, and perhaps several stickers with Windows, KDE, GNOME logos, Tux, etc.;
- having some other nice icon;
- ...

Desktop keyboards, which have two Windows logo keys, offer even more chances for alternatives. 23 Comments »

Full Linux

Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by fgarpe 02/26/07

Ubuntu for Desktop enviroinements, Debian for Servers, free and Open Source software for base install, OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird...

No XP, no Vista, no M$ Software 5 Comments »

Dell E-vote on which linux distro Dell will offer- "The Dell Linux Distro Elections"

IdeaStorm, Linux submitted by arclight 02/24/07 **IMPLEMENTED**

Why not have a online E-Vote about which linux distro to offer.

As the Ideastorm community update pointed out, even though there is a lot of interest in "linux"- there is diverse opinions about what is the best distro and which ones Dell should offer. Its not practical to offer all of them, yet in the end any single distro will result in complaints and be a compromise.

Rather then try to decide independently which distro to offer first, host a online e-vote election where distro's can be nominated and run in a large online election.

By having an organized election:
*it will be limited to clear choices (distro's that were nominated)
*Each will get the same exposure to voters, and in the same time frame.

In the long run, any number of distros could be offered but this could help make it clear what distro has a lot of support and take the 'heat' off Dell for whatever choice it does make. If a distro team is angry they did not get elected its the community not Dells fault, and they could always run again next year in another linux election.

Consider this excerpt from the Dell IdeaStorm February 23, 2007 release:

"As this community knows, there is no single customer preference for a distribution of Linux. In the last week, the IdeaStorm community suggested more than half a dozen distributions. We don't want to pick one distribution and alienate users with a preference for another. "

Dell does not have to pick, the community can choose for them with an election.

--Update March 13th--

They heard! From Ideas In Action:

March 13, 2007

Linux – We’re listening... Now Tell Us More... : )
The IdeaStorm community’s interest in open source solutions like Linux on Dell platforms has come through loud and clear. Many of you have suggested a survey to help Dell determine which distribution is most popular, and we think that’s a great idea. Based on your idea, we now have a short survey, which will be open until March 23, where you can tell us more about your favorite distribution of Linux, your preferred method of support, and more.

To access our Linux survey, see today’s blog post on Direct2Dell. We hope you’ll continue to be a part of this discussion on Direct2Dell and IdeaStorm, and check back for more details as we gather your input.

Here are the links (survey ended)

Link to the blog here here

Link to the survey here (survey ended link removed)

--Update March 24th--

The Dell linux survey ended.
Check out the Idea in Action that gives the details on the Linux survey.




22 Comments »

Stop designing "For Microsoft" (as most of your products are labled) and start designing for your customers.

Dell submitted by jmxz 03/15/07

I think it's telling of where Dell's priorities lay when most of your boxes has a sticker that says "Designed for Microsoft [XP or Windows or Vista]" on it. Wouldn't it be better if you designed your products for your customers first; and particular software vendors's agendas second?

At my previous company the most important software we ran on Dells came from Oracle - a competitor of Microsoft. I'd feel much better if I could have gotten a computer from you that was "designed for Oracle clusters" rather than the systems I got from you which were clearly labeled that they were designed for a company with a vested interest in seeing Oracle fail. And even more uneasy since that particular vendor (Microsoft, if you hadn't guessed yet) had in the past had projects deliberately making competitors software fail and/or give error messages in unexpected ways:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/11/05/how_ms_played_the_incompatibility/
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+emails+focus+on+DR-DOS+threat/2100-1001_3-22512...
Considering that history - I'd be pretty wary of running Oracle on machines "Designed for Microsoft". 9 Comments »

Offer a Linux PC for less than a Vista

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by invar9 02/24/07

I think it is GREAT that Dell is offering a linux based PC and laptop. but why does it cost $53 more than the same Vista PC?

FreeDOS PC $1252 http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&o...
Vista PC $1199
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&o...

And the Linux PC just has FreeDOS, it is not like it is a preconfigured Ubuntu, SUSE, or Gentoo system, you still have to actually load linux? 7 Comments »

Stop using Microsoft and Intel as crutches

Dell submitted by ronsemail 02/17/07

Try innovating without Microsoft or Intel as your R&D lab. Go hire and staff a kick butt set of designers and engineers and pay them the better than anyone else. In fact pay all of your staff better than anyone else, in 3 years you will be the best brand in the business. Try spending some of your customers money on product development instead of putting it your bank account. 4 Comments »

Linux certification for hardware

Linux submitted by godji 02/20/07

It would be great if, when customizing a computer (laptop or desktop doesn't matter), there would be some indication about what hardware will work with Linux. On systems where all hardware is supported, there could be an option to have no operating system preinstalled, or have Linux preinstalled. Also, such systems should have some sot of sticker, similar to the ubiquitous "Designed for Windows Whatever". The sticker could say "Designed for Linux" or "Works with Linux" or "Linux Ready", etc.

The motivation is that a customer should be able to buy a computer to use Linux on, without worrying about hardware that will not work with a free operating system. Unfortunately such devices still exists; Dell should be alerting customers to their presence. 1 Comment »

Dont force people to choose Windows Vista

Operating Systems submitted by gaborlake 03/13/07

When buying a new Dell computer, Windows Vista is the only OS of choice. So far, with all I have seen about Vista, I would rather want to stick with XP, since Microsoft announced that it would support XP even longer than Vista. There is no real reason for having a computer with Vista installed at the moment. So it would be a good thing to still have the option to have Windows XP installed instead. 9 Comments »

Linux-Compatible Components

Linux submitted by jtoegel 02/22/07

I think Dell should choose Linux-Compatible components for its PCs, i.e. no components from manufacturers which are supported by the linux kernel, a GPL Driver or at least a binary driver provided for major linux distributions. That would also force manufacteres to publish the specifications of their Products, which would make Life much easier for both Linux and Windows users as well as for PC manufacturers like Dell. 3 Comments »

Handheld and phone to sync with Linux

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Broadband and Mobility, Linux submitted by stephanw 02/20/07

I'm teacher an i like to work with linux. But all available (popular) Phones or Organizers uses Active Sync or a Software that works only with MS Outlook.

Please develope a handheld, or better a cell phone with organizer that supports calendar, contacts and notes synching with a linux software (Evolution, or others). And i would buy it immediatly.

Best regards
Steve 6 Comments »

Preinstall open-source OS (Linux) + fully-functional FREE application software

Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by doctorsuse 02/20/07

Adding to the other posts on this subject, yes, DELL makes great hardware. Facilitating the sale of this hardware by preinstalling an open source Linux OS and fully-functional OpenOffice suite + a selection of some of the other great open source photo editing, Internet browsing, email, multimedia software would be a great idea. This saves the consumer hundreds of dollars per system (have a look at the price of MS office 2007 + Vista, not including Photoshop and so forth). The recent agreement between Ubuntu and Linspire would offer all multimedia codec support for legal use. As well, Dell could no doubt come to some mutually-beneficial agreement with Ubuntu/Linspire as to the CNR (Click 'N Run) software downloading service (though which users can purchase or freely download other software, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of free packages available from the various Ubuntu repositories).

Dell could offer time-limited support for a standard OS and application suite image (community support for other packages, and also for after the support period). The Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE desktop) distribution might offer the easiest transition for Windows users. Including a "Dell standard" image CD set or DVD which a user could legally use to restore their own PC back to its original state - as well as legally doing the same to as many other PC's as they want, without going through any arduous and demeaning telephone "re-registration" sessions to do this - would offer another strong benefit to users, and make supporting the systems a snap.

I have always been a Windows user (starting with Windows 3.1), but I mainly have used Kubuntu and OpenSuse for the past 18 months, on all my home systems. I find that this does everything that I need and then some, and I have no reason to ever go back to a proprietary OS or software. I can also control everything that my PC does - what a nice change from Microsoft's efforts! I have installed Kubuntu on others' PC's, and so far they all seem equally satisfied.

Dell could also look at the installation of open-source software as a due-diligence issue. Considering the track record of Microsoft's products, selling such a system which could potentially be used for sensitive Internet transactions or banking to a customer may not be in the best interest of customers (at least, they should be given a choice for an open-source machine). Vista may improve security, but I (and many others, according to this poll) feel that the cost, security issues, and inconvenience of being forced into the morass of proprietary software is just not worth it.

The hardware issue is also and easy issue to deal with. Dell can configure their products for maximum compatibility with Linux. ATI and other companies should also be pressured to better support Linux (and Dell could easily apply this pressure). Still, Ubuntu and other distros have a better out-of-the-box hardware support than do any version of windows (including Vista), and I am happily writing this on an AMD machine with ATI video card, so the status quo is working well for me at the moment. All in all, the idea of Dell supplying open source OS's and software is very exciting! 2 Comments »

Drivers for every OS

New Product Ideas, Operating Systems submitted by goonmaster 02/20/07

A driver development kit for every peice of Dell hardware like Lexmark have, so if the driver doesnt exist you have the option of making it. 2 Comments »

Make clear what Windows Vista costs

Operating Systems submitted by rvw 02/21/07

We all know the retail prices of Windows Vista for the different versions, OEM, etc. I would like to see the price difference if I don't want a Vista license. This should be a discount of course, not something you have to pay for (what has happened in the past). This should be the normal OEM price, but probably Dell has a special discount from Microsoft, so the true costs for Dell could be less. I wouldn't mind if Dell used the OEM price.

This way it becomes clear and transparant what the true costs are for using Windows. Of course it would mean that the customer can choose not to buy a Windows license. This should be offered for any notebook or desktop. 5 Comments »

Build a Dell Linux Distribution

Linux, New Product Ideas, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jemfisher 02/20/07

With the wave of support for the Linux kernel to power desktop PC's, I think its time for a company with the quality build that Dell has to provide users with PC's that work for them. The adoption of Linux to power Dell PC's would give Dell a greater freedom to move forward with innovation. With the adoption of a Linux kernel Dell would be able to sell PC to meet users' demands. Businesses demand different machines than home users, students demand different machines again, machines targeted at younger users, etc. 100 Comments »

Linux + Beryl

Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by oposit 02/21/07

I think dell computers with Linux or without OS is a good idea, but the potential for a hit resides in Linux with Beryl. Dell executives cold miss a great oportunity if they didn't realize the sales that can be made only on Beryl eyecandy (or enhanced productivity, if you are business minded).

Just look at it and surely you say "I want this in my computer"

Don't take my word about it. Better watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw78IIEbzHs<

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYWaEJmpa5M<

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNb7gPA1JFk<

I know this is going to sound horrible, but I'm really convinced that is "Beryl nice".

People who knows linux will buy the dell computers if they had installed for the sake of security, stability, lower cost of software. People that doesn't knows linux will buy dell computers for Beryl, and get the security, stability and others advantages of linux as a bonus. 11 Comments »

Linux option available in Europe

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by johndude 02/26/07

Its great that Dell will begin supporting Linux but we should make sure that this is worldwide and not just in America. Everything that comes out of Dell Idea Storm should be worldwide and not just in America. Thanks :) 6 Comments »