sumyunggai

http://www.dell.com/open shouldn't steer people towards Windows

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by limulus 08/02/07

If I want to look at the open source offerings on Dell's site, there's a nice short URL that redirects to the appropriate page: http://www.dell.com/open

However, some of the wording on the page sounds like it was written to DISCOURAGE people from buying those systems and steer them towards Windows; an excerpt:

---
Not sure Open Source is for You?

The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don’t get a Windows® operating system. If you’re here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link.

Shop Dell PCs with Windows
---

To make the page better:

* remove the "Not sure Open Source is for You?" and "Already an Open Source fan?" sections or change them to something like this:

---
New to Open Source?

A very important thing for people familiar with Microsoft Windows® but new to open source to note before buying is that it is an alternative to Windows®, not a cheap version of Windows®. Programs specifically designed to run on Windows® will NOT run by default on Dell's open source systems. If you want to run programs such as "Microsoft Office® 2007", "Adobe Photoshop® CS3", "iTunes® 7.3" and "The Sims® 2" you're in the wrong place! (Dell's Windows® systems may be found here.)

If you already knew that or are ok with it, please continue shopping below...
---

* if its to be kept, move the "You asked, we listened." part down into the Ubuntu description, but get rid of the "advanced users and tech enthusiasts" mention; installing an OS (regardless of the OS) is usually the most difficult step (and one not done by 'average users') but Dell has done all the hard work (most notably by selecting compatible hardware) and after that Ubuntu is really not that hard to use :)

* in the "What Is Open Source?" section, the following sentence needs work: "A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use, and in the case of operating systems, may not be compatible with the same software applications and hardware as Windows operating systems."

What is the reference for "advanced knowledge to use"? Are we talking about the command line? Ubuntu can be used without ever seeing it. Perhaps consider striking that. The real meat of the issue, of course, is that Windows embraces proprietary things and its an uphill battle to try to support them in an open OS. Perhaps use the following:

"A downside is that consumer software applications and hardware choices which are compatible with the proprietary Windows operating system may not work in an open source environment or may require significant tweaking to make them work."

(for software, the tweaking is a reference to Wine... for the hardware, we can hope for support in future Ubuntu versions ;) 42 Comments »

TheOpenCD.org should be an option for any Dell OS, regardless if Windows or Ubuntu

Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by jorge 05/26/07

Dell should offer the TheOpenCD.org CD as an option for customers to select when configuring their purchase. Again, irrelevant of Windows or Ubuntu. TheOpenCD offers the following Software Suites for Free and without the usual Bloatware that irritates customers:

Design - Blender, GNU Image Manipulation Program, Inkscape, NVU, Scribus, Tux Paint.

Games - Battle for Wesnoth, Enigma, Neverball, Sokoban YASC.

Internet - Azureus, FileZilla, Firefox, Gaim, HTTrack, RSSOwl, Thunderbird, TightVNC, WinSCP.

Multimedia - Audacity, Celestia, Really Slick Screensavers, Stellarium.

Productivity - MoinMoin, OpenOffice.org, PDFCreator, Notepad2.

Utilities - 7-zip, Abakt, Clamwin, GTK+, HealthMonitor, Workrave.



Due to an unpredictable change I alter my idea to !

TheOpenDisc.com CD should be given out if TheOpenCD.org is not complete enough for you! Its pretty much the same thing, opensource software for the price of Free yet many more apps! So a win win for all! Yeay!

TheOpenDisc

34 Comments »

Make the dell ubuntu models available through the main webpage

Dell Web Site, Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by rajeevbhatta 06/19/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Instead of having the model listings on a different webpage ( www.dell.com/open) have these models available from the product search you have on the main page or a link available through the main page (www.dell.com)

When I go to dell.com and I search for the product model numbers I never can find them I have to go to the other page and then I see it. The only thing I saw on the main page is a small flash ad which then takes you to the page.

Why cant you place these models with the other models on your page.........





30 Comments »

Dell recommends, Ubuntu, like did with Windows Vista!

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by oagostinho 05/29/07

I'll be very glad if Dell recommends Ubuntu too, like do with Windows Vista! Why not? Think about it! Ubuntu is the best open-source operating system out there for us!! See Ya!! Orlando Agostinho, Computer Engineer, Lisbon/Portugal 25 Comments »

Dell Must Use Ubuntu Stickers! {Pics Inside}

Linux submitted by thebittersea 06/10/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

97 Comments »

MAINSTREAM Linux through MARKETING

Advertising and Marketing submitted by badblood 05/02/07

Raise public awareness about Linux, convince the mainstream! Coax them. Cajole them. TV, Radio, Newspapers. Do what you need to do to get it into the mainstream consciousness.

Use the Penguin. People LOVE PENGUINS. Make them laugh and smile at the Penguin make them sing along with the Penguin Song. 23 Comments »

No OS Preloaded

Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies submitted by agreer 02/17/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.


Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.

460 Comments »

No Extra Software Option

Software submitted by ootleman 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no earthlink software, no google software - just a clean, original OS.


Check out jeremy_f's update on our current software options.


591 Comments »

OpenOffice.org as an Option on Vista Systems

Operating Systems, Software submitted by badblood 06/14/07

openoffice.org is already offered on the Ubuntu systems, but not on Vista systems.

So please add it as an option to Vista computers. 29 Comments »

Remove: "Dell recommends Windows Vista™..." from any publication

Advertising and Marketing submitted by tho.meier 02/21/07

It would be nice to see advertising without any Micro$oft, from Dell. I think there is enough advertising for MS from MS it self.

Somthing linke: "Dell supports muli-OS" would look good! Od: "Dell gives you the real choice" 61 Comments »

Pre-Installed Gimp Photo Manipulation Software

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by kyle.burton 02/20/07

Include a pre-installed copy of the open source Image Manipulation software: Gimp with windows based installs. In addition to open-office, a photo manipulation package like this would be a useful add on. Including picasa or other on-line image organization applications would be useful as well. 3 Comments »

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. 17 Comments »

Include the UBUNTU CD!

Linux submitted by lucianotolfo 05/24/07

it wold be great to have the instalation cd of ubuntu with the purchase of the pc, so then i can install aditional software from it or re-install the o.s. after formatting... 15 Comments »

Shop Dell PCs with Linux. Require more visibility!

Dell Web Site, Linux submitted by yesmathew 06/01/07

More visibility required for "Shop Dell PCs with Linux" while shopping Windows PCs!

Checked this morning at USA > Home & Home Office. Very less to no visibility on selling Linux based PCs. Unless one accidentally lands at Linux page.

Request to add links on all Windows based PC pages saying " Shop Dell PCs with Linux* "

* TUX Logo 7 Comments »

Get rid of the windows logo on the keyboards of Ubuntu Dell pre-installed computers!

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Advertising and Marketing submitted by rscheckler 05/30/07

Get rid of the windows logo on the keyboards of Ubuntu Dell pre-installed computers! Isn't there a way that you can purchase a computer without having Microsoft making money in some way??? 10 Comments »

IdeaStorm, delete accounts without a unique e-mail or traceroute.

Dell Community, IdeaStorm submitted by jorge 06/23/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

IdeaStorm, a few if not a ton of your members are double dipping accounts to push their agenda at the cost of your perception. Require unique e-mail registration e-mail address's and require e-mail verification prior to letting them login. Also, IP track them like you attempt to do with Google-Analytics and any dupe accounts should be removed and everything associated with it. You have the resources now use them.

Start Jul 2nd. provided by florida web site design


We now require email verification for new users prior to letting them log-in. We also added a function for existing users to update or change the email address they registered with.
46 Comments »

Dell Ubuntu for Brazil

Linux, Service and Support submitted by asf 06/13/07

Brazil has one of the most actives, growing and enthusiastic communities around open source and Ubuntu.

I am already a Dell customer, Ubuntu fan and I certainly would buy PCs (laptops and desktops) with Ubuntu pre-instaled if they were available here, in Brazil.

I also know that a lot of people would do exactly the very same thing. 2 Comments »

Stripped down, fast Linux Box

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Linux submitted by pawprintz 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

How about a fast, Internet ready Linux desktop. Small form factor, pretty monitor, mouse & keyboard, the O.S., OpenOffice & Firefox. Cheap'n'fast


Dell sees the value of this idea, and is keeping the sugestions for a Linux small form factor on the radar. john_h will let the community know of any new information as it comes.




130 Comments »

Pre-Installed Linux | Ubuntu | Fedora | OpenSUSE | Multi-Boot

Linux, Operating Systems - Multiboot, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart 02/16/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

Offer the 3 top free Linux versions for free pre-installation on all Dell PCs.

Quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. For example OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office alternative, can shave hundreds of dollars off the price of a new PC. Cast your vote for OpenOffice and other free software.

Offer easy multi-boot options with Windows Vista, Windows XP, or NO Windows (yes, Linux can entirely replace Windows!)

Offer trade-ins and Linux CDs for older model Dell PCs. Cast your vote for the mini Linux Dell PC and the Universal Education Dell PC, both utilizing free software.

Would you try Linux if it were this easy?

CHOICE is what consumers want on their new PCs, not annoying surprise circus-ware (the typical smattering of confusing 3rd party popup-infested software found on most new Dell PCs). Quality free and open source software is well behaved, and may be legally pre-installed on PCs, and legally shared with friends and family, sharing is encouraged! Cast your vote for consumer CHOICE and public transparency at Dell.


Please take a look at www.dell.com/open for linux options on the Inspiron.

1829 Comments »

Linux Printing Solutions

Linux, Printers and Ink, Service and Support submitted by jfelisky 02/21/07

I have a Dell 3100cn laser printer, which was a nice purchase until I dropped Windows XP and moved to OpenSuSE on my home computer.

I've tried a lot of different message boards looking for a way to keep that printer, but I'm so frustrated with Dell's lack of Linux support that I have to consider HP, since the LaserJet family is more broadly supported. 53 Comments »