Multi-boot
Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot submitted by james_r_darnall
03/21/07
The need for Windows is clear for some applications and installations. On the other hand, Linux has many advantages that users need to be aware of. Dell might consider offering Windows and two or three flavors of Linux in several preconfigured combinations. For example, Windows by itself (default) or Windows with one of one Linux systems or various flavors of Linux only.
For single disk systems where two or more operating systems are requested, the main disk is partitioned; for multi-disk systems, an OS can be configured on each disk or one disk can be partitioned. At boot-up time, a boot manager, such as the Grand-Unified-Boot loader can be used to select what OS the user wants to come up in.
It is important that users be informed that Linux can mount and access Windows partitions to exchange information as needed. That is, files can be copied from and to Linux and Windows partitions.
Since partitioning requires work and foresight, Dell should charge the customer some fee. This is a grand experiment which may impact users the world over and Dell should be commended and paid well in the attempt. Dell can provide support for multi-boot and partitioning. Normal support channels for Windows and the Linux vendor should have some arrangement for supporting its distribution.
130
Disable the spyware pre-built into Vista - or warn customers about it before the purchase
Operating Systems, Software submitted by jmxz
03/21/07
One of your software vendors (Microsoft) seems to have a habit of building spyware into the software they get you to pre-install.
There are many examples, but I'll give 3 specific examples here to let you know
For one example, the Windows Media Player
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,3995,00.asp
"February 21 Associated Press report that alleged the existence of DVD-tracking spyware hidden deep within Windows Media Player for Windows XP (aka Windows Media Player 8, or simply MPXP). .. It's bad enough that the very existence of a DVD cache might tempt nosy roommates, private investigators, and overzealous government agents. But, the article asserts, privacy experts fear that the ID-based tracking mechanism could even be exploited by media conglomerates"
I don't really want Microsoft and my ISP knowing my preferences in home movies; and I assume neither do many other Dell customers.
For another example, Windows Activtation's Hardware checks. I don't want Microsoft checking on what kinds of hard drives I put in my system - for example, if they don't like one particular hardware vendor in the future, I don't want them making my machine flaky on purpose.
For a third, Vista has spyware that scans your software as well looking for software they don't like:
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=20916
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/6149/983/
"Vista 'Spyware': The Best Thing to Happen to Linux" "Microsoft's intention to crack down on software piracy by putting what amounts to spyware on users' computers. Now I'm thinking twice about whether I really need or want this new operating system."
.
Remember, it's us your customers buying these machines - not Microsoft.
And I promise you your customers would prefer getting their machines spyware-free regardless of how well-intentioned it was.
And as much as your home customers don't like it; corporate IT security should be even more panicked that your servers out of the box are off sending packets around the internet at one of their competitor's (many of your customers are competitors of the company in question) requests.
If you can't (for technical reasons) disable these spyware features - please make sure a pretty visible "spyware warning" is placed right on the infected OS's right on the "select your OS" part of your web page; since I'm pretty sure your customers would at least like to be warned that you're helping companies spy on your customers.
650
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.
1230
PXE OS install?
Operating Systems, Desktops and Laptops submitted by grtechguy
03/21/07
How about shipping machines without OS and PXE enabled by default to connect to an OS repository?
Choose your linux (free) or windows OS (much money) to download and install via broadband connection.
This could allow to reimage to alternate OS's at anytime.
140
XPS and Alienware
XPS products, Desktops and Laptops submitted by guardianxps
03/21/07
How about we see a system which is on both Alienware and Dell/XPS.
Kind of a hybrid between both systems.
Since they are both under the same company Dell, why not.
XPS and Alienware customer both get to share technologies with each other.
Maybe combine XPS and ALX into a new breed of system.
1 portable and desktop version.
140
OS Selection like MicroExpress (Customer can choose any Version or none with prices)
Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by arclight
03/22/07
Some manufacturers allow the OS (or none) to be selected independently, with prices given for each choice. For example, this maker allows any windows to be selected on a drop down list after choosing a system, but the Dell store makes it hard to choose systems first then OS, with certain OS not being available on certain systems and vice versus. Give the power to the customer Dell!
http://www.microexpress.net/prodcustom.asp?linenumber=106
For example, these are the actual options on that system for the os.
Microsoft Windows XP Home
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic [Add $20.00]
Microsoft Windows XP MCE 2005 [Add $99.00]
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium [Add $99.00]
Microsoft Windows XP Pro [Add $99.00]
Microsoft Windows Vista Business [Add $99.00]
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate [Add $199.00]
No OS [Subtract $55.00]
90
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.
2300
ReactOS
Operating Systems submitted by fireball
03/07/07
There have been a number of ideas for offerings computers with some flavour of Linux preinstalled, and that's great. But, there are customers, who would still want to have benefits of Windows (still the majority of software applications are targeted at Win32 API and .NET Framework, not to speak about drivers for various consumer devices).
Would DELL be interested in supporting a project aimed at creating a compatible implementation of Windows (the same architecture, API and ABI), but under a GPL license?
This would sound crazy if it's to be done from scratch, but we already spent quite some time for development and even came up with a few releases (they are more like proof of concept, not usable at the moment for preinstalling on PCs).
If you like to read more - http://www.reactos.org
Thanks.
2660
Linux Low Cost
Linux submitted by oagostinho
03/23/07
Hi,
Why don't sell one computer with Linux but oriented to The low cost market? Not properly for to developing world, but to anyone!!
I think, these days it's possible to that with WLAN, etc,etc! That I can use when I'll go to travel to another place or vacations or whatever!
See ya!
Orlando Agostinho
Computer Engineer
Lisbon/Portugal
150
OpenOffice? Dell can do better...
Software submitted by runbei
03/23/07
OpenOffice is likely to hurt as much as help. Having formatted a self-published, 300-page book in OO, I've become thoroughly familiar with its formatting features. A nightmare.
OO was designed by well-intentioned techies who appear to have not the remotest clue when it comes to user interface smoothness. Nearly everything in OO is either slightly wrong, outright awkward, or horribly inconvenient (the aforementioned formatting). And much, much worse: all of it is virtually undocumented. (The online documentation is obscure, at best; and at worst, ulcer-inducing.)
Why not provide a far, far better, inexpensive commercial alternative: Softmaker's TextMaker and PlanMaker. Sensible, user-aware design, full-featured, expertly documented. Where OO feels like a lumbering Microsoft Word-imitating Borg cube, TextMaker is light, efficient, and friendly.
-210
M1210 Facelift
Sales Strategies, XPS products submitted by avalonthas
03/23/07
I would like to see Dell give a face lift to its XPS line of notebooks. I want to buy a 12 inch notebook and Dell is the only one who offers it at a reasonable price, but the M1210 is quite honestly the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Please give it a face lift and I will buy one, and so too probably will a lot of people.
-20
ubuntu on my computer: open source for education
Education, Linux submitted by raymako
03/23/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
I am a french teacher working in the south of France .The school's computers are Dell and Nec computers.
Like most of my colleagues, I am using "opensource" (free) softwares, and specially Ubuntu for 2 years.
It works perfectly and the pupils who tried Ubuntu like it very much. I hope it will be possible to buy a Dell computer without Windows very soon and I hope that all the Dell computers of my school will use Ubuntu.
Not only because Ubuntu is free (even if it's not insignificant in a french school...) , but because working with Ubuntu forces you to understand and to think how and why you are using your (Dell) computer.
I know that I'm speaking and writing english language like a spanish cow, so I'm sorry.
I just want to finish my message with this: please be the first big computer manufacturer offering Ubuntu or Windows (which is very performant, but not the only one and specially at school) .
7100
Dell to market linux based email server appliances / exchange replacement
Linux submitted by steveoc
03/23/07
Ohhhh ... nasty nasty news for Microsoft here
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=343< an ominous portent for Microsoft, 23% of the survey respondents indicated they intend to migrate away from Exchange Server and switch to an alternative Linux or open source Email and messaging distribution platform over the next 12 to 18 months. The users attributed their decision to their belief that Linux Email and messaging packages are cheaper and easier to manage than Exchange," according to study author and Yankee analyst Laura DiDio.
Ouch.
And consider that is signed off by Laura DiDio as well - not exactly known for bending facts in favour of anyone other than Microsoft.
How about Dell put out a range of turnkey email servers that are plug-and-go, loaded up with a decent open source email server and webmail product ?
If its too intimidating to make a choice of packages - just install a selection of them and provide a simple tool to configure which one does which job (a shell script, a README file and a man page would suffice)
Ideally, include some tools to migrate data from an existing exchange installation onto the new system as well. Market the whole thing as a plug in exchange replacement.
Plenty of linux admins build and deploy servers like this as a matter of course - it is not beyond Dell's ability to put a solid package together, and market it aggressively.
Price it right, and you will still have an excessively fat profit margin on this product line too.
You could OWN a substantial slice of the email server market overnight.
Its not rocket science.
150
A Win-Win-Win siutation
Software submitted by robinvw
03/23/07
Installing Firefox is a win-win-win situation. Its a win for the user ca use it gives a better, safer browsing experience. Its a win for Dell cause it means less customers calling in for tech support (due to God knows what infecting their computer). Its a win for the developer cause FF is more W3C compliant!
570
BIOS Recovery
Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by majestic
03/23/07
I wish Dell would take a step back in time and reintroduce a BIOS recovery scheme on their motherboards.
As an active participant in the Dell Community Forums, I've seen a lot of postings in those forum related to BIOS upgrade problems. Lately, there has been quite a few complaints related to the newer BIOS version not supporting the OEM processor that came with the system as well as BIOS upgrades that fail to properly install thus rendering the system unusable. Lately the Dimension E521 is a frequent topic. In some of these cases, Dell Tech Support honored the warranty replacement of the motherboard while others were left with the out of pocket expense of paying for the repairs themselves on fairly new systems.
All this could be avoided if Dell would revert back to a BIOS recovery scheme. Not only would it give the consumer a little confidence in knowing there is a remedy for a bad BIOS flash, but it would save both the consumer and Dell the expense of replacing the motherboard. If nothing else, at least socket the BIOS chip so that it can be swapped out in the event of a bad BIOS flash. Presently, I would be reluctant to advise anyone with a new Dell system to flash the BIOS unless Dell Tech Support was walking them through the procedure over the phone.
400
Dells shortcomings
Dell submitted by busterlee
03/23/07
1) Dell needs to allow giftcards to be use in any section the customer pleases.
2) Dell needs to allow for giftcards to be combined. By doing so people might buy expensive items that they would not otherwise purchase.
3) Stop! playing the musical price game!! Specifically if Windows XP Ultimate is $99 additional for Dimensions, it should be $99 additional for ANY COMPUTER PURCHASED from Dell. It ticks intelligent people off to see the price change for the same item.
4) In the same regard DELL should be honest about savings. Specifically, if I am told that my 19 " monitor is worth $230 and the next monitor up is worth $300 I as a customer should be able to pay $70 to obtain the next model. But when clicking around your site or calling in with questions to obtain the next model I may have to pay $170 to get the next model.
In the last two examples your are treating people as if they can't add and subtract and it is insulting and pushes the consumer to look for organizations that recognize the difference between savings and number games.
In the first two it is as if you say we have your money and we are going to force you to spend more out of your pocket even if you have multiple card that can pay for the item. Aware people simply WON'T spend more at you company or they will purchase items that aren't yours (like accessories) and go to another company to purchase a computer. Yes more money WILL have to be spent but Dell WON'T be getting it. Also, by restricting where the giftcards can be used you restrict yourself from making money and people from having "goodwilll" feelings of dealing with DELL. Instead, you get people that feel resentment and frustration. Also depending on what store the giftcard is from they can't be used in the outlet.
Even with this site you want the ideas to make the money but you don't want to compensate. This could have easily been done in as a promotion. What a shame.
140
 track my votes
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