Goal: Dell FREEDOM Box - A Fully Open System for Home Users by 2010
Dell, Linux, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dpic
11/29/07
Set a goal of having at least one fully open system for home users by the end of 2010! This would be Dell's greatest endeavor yet!
The Dell FREEDOM Box | From the software, all the way down to the hardware, a completely open system
Software:
* A fully open source operating system with no restricted software like Gobuntu.
Hardware:
* All hardware must follow these rules--
1. The interface to the hardware must be explicitly made public, so the hardware can be used freely.
2. The design of the hardware must be made public, so that others can implement it and learn from it.
3. The tools used to create the design should be free, so that others can develop and improve the design.
This movement is already making headway and progress will continue to increase. Dell is already getting involved--
It has been stated that Dell has a goal to have open Linux drivers for all Dell products. Dell, keep the pressure on your vendors to open up!
Support OpenBIOS and Open Firmware!
"Among its features, Open Firmware provides an instruction set independent device interface. This can be used to boot the operating system from expansion cards without native initialization code.
It is Open Firmware's goal to work on all common platforms, like x86, AMD64, PowerPC, ARM and Mips. With its flexible and modular design, Open Firmware targets servers, workstations and embedded systems, where a sane and unified firmware is a crucial design goal and reduces porting efforts noticeably."
- http://www.openbios.org/
Already, there is huge support for replacing proprietary BIOS
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/62549/LinuxBIOS_instead_of_proprietary_...
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/74358/Dell_Support_Open_BIOSes_for_Linux
And there is the Open Graphics Project
- http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72320/Help_The_Open_Graphics_Project<
This project would put Dell at the heart of the movement bringing Freedom, Reliability, and Innovation to the world of technology! Does one really need to ask why this would be better than proprietary technology?
1800
Ubuntu Dell Repo
Linux, Service and Support submitted by tekhawk
07/20/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
basicly a simple idea dell to support the ubuntu community a little bit by running a repo for its laptops and desktop if nothing more to support the software that they install on the system and to provide driver updates theses repos should be setup on the machines before shipping so that the users can get the driver updates quick and easy and offer driver on there for all the drivers that there are for dell machines that are support on linux not just the shipping lines
so that user might find that other machines then the ones you ship with ubuntu can easly be made into power ubuntu operating machines
As matt_d has said below, we have repositories for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, and a growing one for Ubuntu. Check it out here http://linux.dell.com.
7530
Dell for Soldiers
Dell Community, Service and Support submitted by haler
11/12/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
My step-son is leaving for Iraq in January. His mom can't afford a laptop for him and neither can I, but I thought it could be done if everyone in the family could contribute via a site, then when there was enough, you could ship him a laptop!
This could be a great "community" PR thing for Dell -- Set up a website, soldiers could register -- somehow they are qualified, then anyone could go and give $5 to a few people. When the solider gets their laptop, they could receive a list of email addresses of the contributors if the contributors cared to share it -- then they could be pen pals too.
520
Im not Feeling the serious-ness of your TWO Ubuntu lines
Linux submitted by dwood
11/11/07
seriously, Dell, I found the computers you offer to come with Ubuntu a joke. seriously, no one is going to want to even try Ubuntu with the way you advertise it on your site.
I dont find how you guys can actually be taking Ubuntu seriously with the way you guys sell it.
On customization of the ONE Ubuntu laptop:
First off, changing the color on a laptop, should be included in price, because its just the back of the laptop screen thats changing, not the entire laptop.
Why cant I select more kinds of processors? three isnt exactly overwhelming me. Wheres Amd? you dont even let them compete with Intel in that sector? Also, those Intel Processors are junk compared to whats really out there.
About the support section:
IF we didn't customize the computer we would not be getting hardware support? WHAT? and it costs $275 to get any better support?
Ubuntu 7.04 is the only one you offer? what if I wanted 7.10? whats up? I thought you guys were supposed to constantly update your site.
I also noticed under the little asterisk the following:
"pricing, shipping & handling and monthly payment information is subject to change without notice"
So if I payed 25 monthly it could go up to 50 a month *without* notice?
On display: 14.1" for Ubuntu is kinda wimpy. where are my options if I was going with Ubuntu?
On graphics card: ONLY an INTEL graphics embedded card? what the heck? are you guys REALLY serious about Ubuntu?
On Memory: Its okay. cant complain there.
On HDD's What if I want an 80GB HDD but more RPMs? I have to get a 160 GB HD drive to get 7200 rpm's ($100 more than the 5400 rpm one)
Your optical drives are WI-MPY 24x for (CD) R is stupid, but it can only READ DVD's? 6x for a DVD-RW with Dual layer RW? bull. my drive cost 50 dollars. and it can do all that at 46x Write, 52x Read
Only an Intel wireless device? thats still Bull. you know, it would be nice if you guys actually showcased their competitor's Wireless devices.
Your batteries are okay there.
Better sound card choices would be GREAT!.
I might as well buy another computer than get your 4 yr warranty.......
I find it funny how you guys give away free recycling kits with your computers.....
As last, wheres an integrated webcam? an option for one of those would be cool.
I know, after looking at the choices for open source Dell is not serious about Ubuntu but I am and I know millions others are (up to 30 million)
Give us more powerfual choices in customizing and other pcs.
to see where I got this info look here: here
370
Start offering DELL products to the general public in Poland
Dell, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by lukasz.wisniewski
11/12/07
According to today's local newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza [1], by 20th November, 11:30 to be more exact, Dell will just have manufactured their first notebook in Lodz, Poland. Unfortunately, even though I am inhabitant of this city, it is more than unlikely I will buy DELL notebook anytime soon.
Firstly, the current policy of your company in Poland is "Only for enterprises and institutions" (original in Polish: Tylko dla firm i instytucji). Such a approach seems to me to be more than just bizarre. Do you happen to realize Poland is something like 38 milions of your potential customers? Just for instance, in my city, there are two big public universities, several private ones - you see the universities but not the students. Is this of your concern? I guess not but Apple is already there offering discounts for students.
Secondly, start distributing preinstalled Ubuntu for Poland as well. I actually do not see the point why you do this in UK, Germany or France and not in Poland. People of Poland are more eager to install open-source products, just let me remind you that according to XiTi monitor [2] open-source Firefox browser has market share of 39.6% in Poland, whereas in Germany - 38%, France - 23.9% and UK just 18.7%.
Thirdly, by preinstalling Ubuntu I mean making it an option anywhere where there is an OS selection option on your website. I clearly see no reason in the world why you keep offering such a miserable Ubuntu notebook in Europe instead of something more powerful - Inspiron 6400n with Intel T2130 processor. In your opinion, how impressive is that nowadays?
Last but not least, DELL, please stop participating in this devoid of good sense campaign "Dell recommends Vista..." which is sarcastic. You really do not have to put down this sentence on your website as in Poland you force people to use Vista leaving no other choice.
Take all these remarks under your consideration unless it is OK with you that Poles should travel to Germany in order to buy your notebooks. Hear our voice, DELL!
Signed,
Lukasz Wisniewski
student of the Computer Science
Technical University of Lodz
Links:
[1] http://miasta.gazeta.pl/lodz/1,35136,4662983.html
[2] http://www.xitimonitor.com/en-us/browsers-barometer/firefox-july-2007/index-1...
4200
Dell: Support Open BIOSes for Linux
Dell, Linux submitted by phubert
10/10/07 **REVIEWED**
An Open BIOS for Linux would free it from the DOS legacy code and speed boot times.
The current BIOS is a legacy throwback... it's time to replace it!
Our current priority is to expand Linux availability by bringing more platforms and languages to market. Read what daniel_j has to say.
5620
Put Ubuntu on a laptop with better specs
Inspiron products, Linux submitted by piratehead
10/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Offer an Ubuntu laptop (Inspirion or otherwise) with available discreet graphics, discreet audio, 8GB or more of RAM, a quad-core processor, bluetooth, next-gen WiFi, and integrated webcam.
I don't know how many of those are possible at this point, but each one is a step forward for people who are waiting on certain specs to bite on a Dell laptop.
Now that you offer laptops with Ubuntu on them, I really don't want to go to another company just to get the computer specs I want. I wish to vote for Dell with my dollars, paying for a laptop that has actually been tested and certified by the manufacturer to run Ubuntu. Please give me the opportunity!
Check out the Idea in Action to find out more about our Ubuntu offerings.
6420
Submit hardware specifications to the Linux Driver Project
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux submitted by upstaked
10/05/07 **REVIEWED**
Back in January kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman from Novell started a project offering companies free Linux driver development.
This proved so successful that Novell made it his full-time job and turned to a project with over 200 kernel developers: http://www.linuxdriverproject.org/ .
So Dell, submit specs and convince your hardware providers to do so too. I want to spend my money on great new hardware that runs on Linux.
We constantly work with our hardware partners to develop and maintain open-sourced drivers. Also, we make it clear that through their own developers (or other projects like the Linux Driver Project) they need to deliver on drivers.
9540
make linux systems EASY TO FIND
Dell Web Site submitted by phubert
10/18/07
At other sites, I have seen comments by individuals who have BOUGHT Dell Ubuntu systems complaining about the difficulty FINDING said systems.
I think you'll get more sales if you improve the visibility!
6400
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.
25120
Easier way to OPT OUT of Dell selling my private information
Advertising and Marketing submitted by ninefoot3
10/17/07 **IN PROGRESS**
I rec'd a brochure yesterday saying Dell and DFS were going to share my private info with other 3rd party companies for marketing purposes. Well, it said that in about 5,000 words or so. At the end is a box stating that I may opt-out of this by calling the number listed or writing a letter (including certain info) and send it to the listed address.
I chose to use the phone method. After being shoved around to a few people, I finally got someone who could help me 'opt-out'. This involved 'opening a case' as if I had a technical issue with my account.
My IdeaStorm suggestion, hey Dell, make it easier for us to OPT-OUT of your attempts to make money off of my personal information. What's the matter? Didn't make enough money off of my patronage to Dell products and the interest rates charged? Getting an extra $1 for my name, address and age information going to help Michael Dell get a new boat? C'mon!
While I'm disturbed that Dell wanted to sell me out, I'm more disturbed that Dell made it difficult for us to opt-out. A simple URL would have been nice. I know, that would make more people opt-out and Dell would have less names to sell. It's like a mail-in-rebate or the lack of a cancel button in the account information at freecreditreport.com, you HAVE to call, and since that's a pain in the neck, most people will sloth themselves into something they don't really want.
4380
Show all kind of Operating Systems when you build a computer
Sales Strategies submitted by satira
10/04/07
The main idea is that you can choose and make YOUR computer... as you wish, personalized.... that's a reason why i choose a brand like Dell over the others cause let me make my computer as i want and deliver it full working... if you can choose the color, shape.. size... capacity... why don't choose your operating system??? there ar so many...
280
Dell: Note the positive PR your Ubuntu stuff gets you - front page NY Times Online article on Ubuntu/Dell
Linux submitted by jmxz
10/04/07
This Dell/Ubuntu article made the NYTimes Online front page.
 The New York Times
The Next Leap for Linux
Published: October 4, 2007
Dell is testing the waters with a Linux-equipped notebook computer, in a challenge to Microsoft and Apple.
...
Until recently, major PC makers shied away from Linux. Now the industry is watching as Dell is selling two Linux-equipped desktop models ...and a ...notebook PC. (Hewlett-Packard offers Linux systems to businesses, and Lenovo, the Chinese company that bought I.B.M.’s PC division, sells Linux machines in China and says it will soon offer Linux-based computers in the United States.)
... Now if only Dell would offer it on some more desirable systems (looking for a quad-core desktop now); and price it competitively internationally (where they still charge a few hundred dollar premium), this Linux effort might have a chance of working. The Idea is that Dell should take note of the positive PR and continue the PR efforts around it. Ubuntu+Dell is a newsworthy topic of interest to the mainstream media today.
590
Portable laptop style monitor
Monitors and Displays, Laptops submitted by pentox
10/04/07
Create a new product that is a portable secondary screen for your laptop. Have it be essentially the same screen as a laptop, and shape, but instead of a full laptop's worth of hardware shrink the base down and contain only a battery. Connect that to your external display port on your laptop to essentially get a dual screened laptop. All that you would need to do is to have a vga/dvi cord to connect to your laptop and possibly a power cord to charge the secondary screen.
One thing that really plays heavily on my mind whenever i'm looking at a new laptop is the screen size. It's a big tradeoff between the weight/size of the laptop and how much screen real estate i'm going to have. It would be nice to have a product that would be similar to carrying around a second monitor in a much more portable form. This would allow a business traveler to have esentially a dual screened laptop and still keep the weight of their primary laptop low.
This is in the same idea as modular docking bays were in the past (I remember laptops that had docking bays that were portable docking stations to have their CD drives and other drives optional, but not always needing to carry the weight).
Apparently Accountants would love these.
220
IdeaStorm feature: Allow us to browse based on the Dell-assigned tags
IdeaStorm submitted by cosh
05/18/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**
Dell assign "status tags" to some of the popular/notable ideas on this website, but they are tiny little things under the title of each idea, and there is no way to search or browse by them.
If we had a page on IdeaStorm so we could see ideas based on each status tag it will let everybody see what effect IdeaStorm is having, in addition to the few ideas mentioned under "Ideas in Action". It might also reduce the number of duplicates for very popular ideas, if people can see what Dell has already acknowledged.
The status tags being used at the moment are as follows:
- Acknowledged
- Already Offered
- Coming Soon
- Fixed
- Implemented
- In Progress
- Not Likely
- Not Now
- Under Review (formerly, Under Consideration)
- Partially Implemented
You can see a sample of how this works on my categorizer web site, here. Some of the information may be out of date, but it works for most purposes.
Status tag links have been launched.
1640
Continue to use IdeaStorm...
IdeaStorm submitted by lordcobol
10/02/07 **IN PROGRESS**
...to teach the competition what mistakes not to make.
:)
(semi)seriously, if the competition is smart enough to read here, it could improve the whole PC industry, especially if they notice what we think about bloatware.
For that matter, I suspect that the IdeaStorm "storm" about forcing Vista down our throats helped persuade M$oft to extend the XP cutoff date, so maybe we have already made the world a better place for non-Dell customers.
780
We still want XP!!!!!!!!
Operating Systems submitted by americasarmyrocks
09/15/07
What is with this "Vista Only Option" on computers. Dell should make ALL of their products avalible with Windows Vista in all editions, Windows XP in all editions INCLUDING Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, and Ubuntu.
1140
 track my votes
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