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End PC Payola | Pioneer a PC Builder Code of Conduct

Service and Support, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/20/07

Dell's image was damaged by the $1bn Intel kickback scandal. Many in the computer industry believe that Microsoft's grip on Dell and other PC Builders is airtight due to secret deals and marketing kickbaks. Consumers appreciate lower prices on new Dell PCs thanks in part to bundled 3rd party software, however we are not permitted to choose the software that is pre-installed, and kickback deals are not transparent.

In the music recording and radio broadcasting industries, similar shady practices are called payola. Please, end PC payola, and give control back to your customers.

We encourage Dell to pioneer a voluntary PC Builder Code of Conduct, and regain the public trust.

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise payola circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Transparency at Dell is necessary for true consumer choice. For example, transparency can be improved by providing the choice of pre-installing quality free and open source software (developed with near 100% transparency). Cast your vote to have the OPTION of buying a new Dell PC pre-installed with Linux and other free software like OpenOffice.org. 82 Comments »

Linux Offereings

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by lsybrandt 02/26/07

Easy. Add the following:

On Inspiron and Demension - Ubuntu

On XPS: Dual Boot to Ubuntu

On PowerEdge - choice. SuSE or RedHat

1 Comment »

Please support Linux - This Would be Great turning point in the HIstory of Dell Computers

Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by bhadrah 02/26/07

Dell can be industry leader and can show ways to other PC makers by supporting Linux on Desktops & Laptops. This can be great turning point in the HIstory of Dell Computers by """SUPPORTING FULLY""""" Linux on desktops and Laptops. 1 Comment »

Appliance with Linux or Windows

Desktops, Software submitted by ramjane 02/26/07

Offer desktop in cool casing that can be placed along with other A/V appliances.

Promote this appliance to be used with Myth TV or MS media center. Also, provide DVI/HDMI and 5.1 a/v cards pre installed that work with Myth TV or MS media center.

This appliance should be able to replace TIVO or dish DVR which have monthly recurring fee. Comment »

Here's how to get it right

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by ubondell 02/26/07

Here is how to get your Linux laptop right. Since you have messed this up before this might be helpful.

1) Don't limit what HW has a Linux OS option.
I want to be able to click a choice box like this for every Dell PC offering:

( ) No operating system
( ) Windows XP
( ) Windows Vista
(*} Ubuntu [latest release]

2) The price for those options should reflect the prices of the respective manufacturers license fees (i.e. the price for no OS or Ubuntu should be significantly lower than the price with a Windows OS license).

3) Linux drivers for all HW components must be built-in, and also easily available for download from Dell, and a reinstall CD should be supplied.

4) Don't lock into a single Linux distribution. I prefer Ubuntu because it is the easiest to install and maintain of all the ones that I have tried over about 6 years. You can limit it to no more than 3, but Ubuntu must be one of them since it is, by far, the easiest to manage. It is the only one that I think is "Gramma-proof".

5) Only add Dell additions where they are needed. The areas where Linux is not as easy to use as Windows are: audio/video codec support and automatic wireless configuration. Apply your muscle (i.e. spend some bucks on support for work in those two areas) and the Linux community will know you are serious about the future of Linux and not just posing. Also, don't turn off any of the Ubuntu pre-loads, like OpenOffice, Firefox, Gimp, etc. Even better might be to work with the F/OSS community for a feature where a F/OSS application is suggested for every file extension from the Windows realm when it is encountered by the Linux OS when there is no prior mapping. That would be even better than Windows; and I am sure that most, if not all have a Linux application that is aware of them.

6) Offer to upgrade existing Dell computers to Ubuntu Linux. This one might be a shocker, but the customer goodwill will be rewarded by much customer loyalty. My own case is an example. I have a several year old Inspiron 8100 that came with WinME. When Microsoft ceased supporting that OS I had to make a decision, replace it, keep it safely off the Internet, or find another OS. Given that I already felt screwed by Microsoft, I was not about to pay for WinXP or Win2000 (and face the same problem in another year or two). So I tried an Ubuntu "Breezy Badger" LiveCD that let me test drive the OS. I liked it and now the only 3 Windows programs that I still use run under Wine. I am now convined, especially given the bad reviews that Vista is getting (why isn't there an option to still get WinXP; Oh, yea, Microsoft sales of Vista would go to zero overnight!), that when I replace my laptop it will be with one that has Ubuntu Linux as its built-in operating system. I know of System76, EmperorLinux, and LinuxCertified make them, why not give me a Dell to choose from?

7) Use the Linux community for much of the support for Linux on Dell. There are large amounts of on-line information available to solve your own problems when using Linux on a PC. Since those exist, use them. I have solved several Ubuntu setup issues by consulting ubuntuforms, ubuntuhelp, etc. If you are a reasonably intelligent Google user you can pose a query that will get multiple hits. Someone has always seen your same problem. Dell would suppliment that by actually contributing to those same forums and help sites. If the thread does not get picked up, a Dell person might be the one to answer it. It would then go into the knowledge base and that solution would be found by the rest.

I hope you find this useful. Comment »

Pre Install Linux - Ubuntu and OpenOffice for Africa, and Asia Market.

Linux, Sales Strategies, Software submitted by abdi 02/26/07

Why not having a pre install Linux Ubuntu, and Open Office for Africa and Asia Market.

Ubuntu! the name sound just PERFECT! for the CONTINENTS, naturally linguistic tuned.

Affordable computers for EMERGING market.

I hope you listen Mr. DELL.. 2 Comments »

Removable / swapable hard drives on laptops for dual Linux/Windows systems

Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by jmxz 03/05/07

Our salesguys current demo our product using Linux-on-VMWare on their laptops.

Ideally they could boot directly into Linux to give the demo; but repartitioning the hard drives is a pain (having to re-install Windows and then Linux is painful); and reserving that much space for the Linux partition is not something they appreciate.

Better would be if they had easily-swappable hard drives (as easy as it is to remove the removable DVD drive) - and they could put in the Linux disk and boot from it for giving their demos. They could then swap back to their Windows drive for their Office/email stuff.

2 Comments »

install on new pc

Operating Systems, Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by hsion 03/05/07

no system or linux ubuntu mandriva suse
openoffice
firefox - thunderbird 2 Comments »

Make another site for Linux requesters

Dell Community, IdeaStorm, Linux submitted by sangelnet 03/06/07

By now its been clear that people Would like Linux. In fact there are so many, the topic should have a page of its own. 1 Comment »

No presinatlled software

Sales Strategies, Software submitted by ghazgull013 03/06/07

Please Dell, just give us a fresh OS. These pres installed programs interfere with other programs. I think most people do a fresh install which takes about 3 hours. Just give us our 3 hours back. Comment »

Offer more choise of components

Sales Strategies submitted by ppaskova 03/06/07

Dell should offer more choise of components like:
- Motherboards
- Memory FSB
- More Video card selections
- More Sound card selections
- Choise of the cases
- etc... like in the OEM sample website bellow:
http://www.lucomputers.com/ Comment »

FreeBSD or *BSD support

Service and Support submitted by andilek 02/20/07

Right now there is lots of companies and projects connected to *BSD.
Most of them have difficulties when growing to clusters and external FC storage systems, due to lack of drivers and support for these.
I believe there is huge opportunity for Dell to get this market. 30 Comments »

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. 44 Comments »

No proprietary parts

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops and Laptops submitted by neogamerdrew 02/19/07

When maintaining or upgrading a Dell, it is a shear nightmare to try and replace parts. Most things are not the standard ATX parts you would expect. I suggest that Dell move away from proprietary parts, and open the door for people to use after market parts. 28 Comments »

Let us choose the OS!

Linux, Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by icicle 02/20/07

Sometimes I check out the new prices of DELL-Notebooks. In the section OS Selection there is only one opportunity: Windows Vista.

YOU CAN NOT DO THIS!!!

At the moment there is nothing to choose. I choose Linux (Ubuntu)!
So please, please add Linux. I will not buy a notebook and pay extra money for something I will never need. I already found a reseller offering Ubuntu-laptops... 3 Comments »

a linux laptop

Linux, Laptops submitted by chrisrose.chrisrose 02/20/07

Boy, I sure would like to see a laptop shipped with linux. 13 Comments »

Stop overcharging for upgrades (memory, hdd, etc. )

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by uklathemock 02/17/07

Almost everyone I know buys the smallest harddrive and the lowest amount of memory for their Dell notebook, and then upgrades later. Why make your customers turn to other sources to buy memory and hard drives? I think quite a few e-tailers were created and have flourished because everyone (Dell, HP, Apple, etc.) overcharges for upgrades. 17 Comments »

Linux compatibility assurance

Linux, Operating Systems submitted by moseby 02/20/07

The first major PC vendor that provides a product line and an online ordering system that allows me to shop and configure machines that are assured of having 100% support by linux wins my business.

I would expect some hardware to require vendor supplied binary drivers. I would want an indication of that fact and be given the choice of choosing that device or other hardware with community support.

Other ideas offered here that I resonate with are: 1) I don't need machines preloaded with any distro but may choose that option if offered, and 2) I don't need Dell support for the OS, that is what the community is for. 5 Comments »

pre-installed linux ubuntu on desktops and laptops

Linux, Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by fra9000 02/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

i think linux will be the future...so please make some model-line of desktops and laptops with ubuntu linux pre-installed... thanks


This idea has been implemented on select desktops and notebooks in the US, UK, France and Germany.

80 Comments »

Linux Hardware Compatibility List

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by s3indiana 02/20/07 **IN PROGRESS**

Create a listing of Dell hardware that's compatible with the major Linux distributions (Fedora, OpenSuse, ubuntu, Freespire) providing compatibility with not just systems (desktops and laptops) but include peripherals (printers, camera's, flash drives, compatible routers, etc.). Include levels of compatibility so the reviewer can make an educated choice. This would provide the greatest assistance for those looking at alternatives...

We're working to add something like this to our linux.dell.com wiki. Click here to see what john_h has to say.




31 Comments »