thebittersea

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.






13 Comments »

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! 30 Comments »

Make XP/Linux drivers available for all model even if only Vista is pre-installed

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Linux, Operating Systems submitted by vineets001 09/24/07 **REVIEWED**

There are good hardware models coming out. And only Vista is pre-install option. If people want to wipe off Vista and install XP or Linux, let them do that. Make a commitment to have the drivers available.


We're working on having drivers for the hardware we ship more widely available. Click here to learn more from john_h.





26 Comments »

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.
76 Comments »

switch to LED monitors

Monitors and Displays, Laptop Power submitted by yardsale Jan 16

I dont know why dell hasnt done this yet. switch all monitors on desktops and notebooks to LED. did you know that you can run an LED screen at full brightniess and it uses less power than a LCD monitor at the lowest brighting level?!? its cheaper, its energy efficent, and it needs to be done! promote this, if you demote i wanna know why! 40 Comments »

Sell Linux PCs in Canada.

Linux, Sales Strategies submitted by sorooros 08/14/07

How hard can it be to ship boxes north of the border? Dell.ca needs Linux option! 11 Comments »

Quad Core for Inspiron Desktops Now

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Desktops, Inspiron products submitted by bg02446 09/04/07

I'd like to see quad core processors offered on Inspiron desktops ASAP. Quad core processors aren't terribly expensive and would be of real benefit to those of us (possibly excessive) multi-taskers. 11 Comments »

Dell had better "leak" info about the 17" M1330 quick...

Monitors and Displays, New Product Ideas, Sales Strategies submitted by lorax1284 09/08/07

Both the Precision M6300 and XPS M1730 lack both the technological advancements and industrial design of the M1330.

Neither are suitable options for me, the enthusiast power user, willing to pay for a 'no compromises' desktop replacement notebook.

The lack of LED backlit screen on the two new models, the port placement / no port replicator on the M1730 and the 'retro styling' of the Precision M6300 underwhelm.

If either HP or Toshiba get their act together and produce a 17" Santa Rosa notebook that's got the right combination of features, looks, and power, my fourth notebook purchase will be the first that's not a Dell.

But if I heard that a 17" M1330-style machine was in the pipe... I just might have to hold off on making my buying decision just yet.

While I'm at it, here is the ultimate feature set:
* Thin LED backlit screen a-la M1330
* Powerful CPUs in Santa Rosa-based CPU, with an eye to the new 45 nm chips coming out in 2008
* Full keyboard WITH numeric keypad a-la I1720
* optionally backlit keyboard (not my big thing, personally)
* powerful GPU options with Dual-Link support for resolutions > 1920 x 1200
* Non-Slot-Loading optical disk drive (I personally think slot-loading is one more mechanical failure possibility)
* HDMI or DVI + VGA outputs
* FireWire port (for connecting those Digital Video cameras)
* LOTS of USB ports: at least 6, 8 would not be excessive
* eSATA port(s)
* Gigabit wired ethernet
* modem option (if not built-in)
* MOST PORTS ON BACK OF MACHINE. ESPECIALLY VIDEO, NETWORK, POWER, eSATA, USB.
* ExpressCard Slot
* SD / MMC / xD slot
* Side ports for USB / card reader / ExpressCard
* Wireless A + B + G + N (upgradable to final N standard when ratified)
* Bluetooth
* Sure, go ahead and offer an SSD hard drive, I guess you could offer them on any notebook now.
* Decent sound system (multi-channel audio outputs via dongle if needed, to get analog surround sound out of the thing!)
* Choice of Win XP / Vista / No Os / Ubuntu / Linux
* DOCKING STATION, hopefully for the standard D/Dock
* if it can be thin like the M1330, great, but I'm more about capability, power, and style, and I accept that a 'desktop replacement' won't necessarily be thin and light

I don't think there's anything listed there that's impossible to cram into a single 17" machine, I don't think there's anything in this list that enthusiast / power users would NOT want: besides, there are other inspiron / latitude / XPS / precision / vostro notebooks available to meet other needs.

I'd pay $500 more for this machine than a comparably equipped M1730, for the style, port-placement and advanced LCD alone. 3 Comments »

Put wheels on the bottom of PC cases (as an option of course)

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.) submitted by badblood 09/10/07

Put wheels on the bottom of PC cases (as an option of course). Mag wheels, alloy, spinners, chrome, gold or just plain shopping trolley plastic wheels. Put wheels on the bottom to make it easier to wheel in and wheel out the PC case when you're changing all the bloody cords at the back.

9 Comments »

Ad Campaign: Meet Mark Shuttleworth

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by limulus 09/04/07

There are currently ideas under review, such as "make ubuntu shine" which relate to advertising Dell's Ubuntu systems. If Dell decides to do some ads, here's an idea for an ad campaign:

"Meet Mark Shuttleworth"



Mr. Shuttleworth is:

* South African
* a multi-millionaire
* a space tourist
* the sponsor of Ubuntu, a spiffy OS :)

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are in their 50's; Mr. Shuttleworth is in his 30's
('Ubuntu: the choice of a new generation' ala those old Pepsi ads? ;)

To see more of Mr. Shuttleworth, have a look at the video on More4 News (click "Watch the report")

Have Michael Dell introduce him to American audiences :)

[see also my other ad campaign ideas: Families Switching to Ubuntu and What can you do with Ubuntu? ]
2 Comments »

Dell user blogs

Dell Community submitted by jervis961 09/10/07

Would anyone be interested if Dell decided to create a section in the Dell community for users to blog about Dell and technology in general? We have many well spoken members of the Dell Community that I would love to see post articles on such a site. I'm sure it would only be users selected by Dell so it wouldn't be littered with spam though. Feel free to nominate users in the comments.

There could even be some point/counter point discussions on hot topics like windows vs linux. 21 Comments »

Quad SLI

New Product Ideas, XPS products submitted by aikiwolfie 09/09/07

I think it's about time Dell and Nvidia got together and produced a Quad SLI option. Some custom system builders were producing these when SLI first appeard. Everybody went "oooooo" ... dribbled down their shirts and then we get nothing.

Dell should be the first main stream manufacturer to introduce Quad SLI as standard with it's XPS range! Maybe put two quad core CPUs in there as well. Although that might kill the planet. But it'll run your central heating system!!! 1 Comment »

Plz include Open Office & Firefox on the list of software while customizing PC.

Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by macmoh 09/10/07

Dear Dell,

Please include Open Office and Firefox with list of software so that every one can choose which software he should install on their PC, while customizing PC.

Thanks millions of tonnes to you in advance.

Mac 2 Comments »

Option for 'Lap Friendly' underside.

Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), Laptops submitted by kwifler 09/03/07

I'm sure many of you have noticed some burn warnings for notebooks, and some cautions against setting them directly on your laps, but this can be minimized or even prevented.

Just add the option for an underside that uses special materials/gridlines across the bottom of the notebook to act like a radiator and minimize the possibility to trap heat. I am not sure whether this should be a snap-on design or a permanent shell-redesign. 4 Comments »

Pledge to make 1420n work fully with standard Ubuntu 7.10

Inspiron products, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by dara 09/08/07

I know there isn't much more time before the 7.10 release of Ubuntu (pre release named Gutsy Gibbon). I've been following a bit in ubuntuforums.org and some are optimistic about a fresh install of 7.10 enabling all the hardware on a 1420n. But I'd be much more likely to buy a 1420n now (I'm close) if Dell would promise to make every effort to get everything on this laptop as currently offered (heck, throw in bluetooth again too) working fully with the October release (and if not fully, working to get the updates onto the repositories as soon as possible.

Perhaps this plan has already been stated - if so, not prominently enough for me to have heard of it. 9 Comments »

If it is cheaper when it ships than when you ordered Dell should refund the difference.

Dell Web Site, Sales Strategies submitted by joshuacl 09/05/07

Have a policy so that if when a computer ships if it is cheaper when it ships than when it was ordered, to reduce the price to the current market price. For instance if I ordered a laptop in June and it was $1499.99 and it didn't ship until September and in September that same laptop would cost $1299.99, refund the difference as the customer isn't getting a $1499.99 laptop anymore. 5 Comments »

Ad Campaign: What can you do with Ubuntu?

Advertising and Marketing, Linux submitted by limulus 09/04/07

There are currently ideas under review, such as "make ubuntu shine" which relate to advertising Dell's Ubuntu systems. If Dell decides to do some ads, here's an idea for an ad campaign:

"What can you do with Ubuntu?"



Find one or more people who have bought a Dell Ubuntu system and have them show off what they can do with their systems; string the clips those together into a commercial. Some themes that should become obvious:

* easy software installation and updates

* command line not necessary (Ubuntu is very much a GUI OS)

* compiling software not necessary

* full range of applications

* 3rd party proprietary apps, like Flash and Google Earth

* all the little games you could ever want (e.g. Sudoku)

* 'it just works'

* "wobbly windows" and other spiffy cool effects for fun :)

[see also my other ad campaign ideas: Families Switching to Ubuntu and Meet Mark Shuttleworth ] 26 Comments »

Dells pricing needs to be more competative

Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops submitted by jervis961 09/06/07

My son is begging for a laptop, his current Dell Desktop is on its last legs anyway so I decided to look around. I can find a notebook for as low as $319.96 on sale at box stores and from $450 online from manufacturers. The cheapest Dell I can find starts at $549 and has worse specs than what I found elsewhere. I looked at desktops as well and the story is the same. I even checked the Dell outlet and they don't really even discount items that much there.

I'm trying to support Dell but they aren't really helping me help them. They need to be more competative with their pricing. 24 Comments »

Dell: Hire an Outstanding resource in the Linux/OSS community!

Dell, Linux submitted by phubert 09/06/07

Nicholas Petreley is a name well-known in MANY IT circles, from his time at InfoWorld as manager of their Test Center, as an InfoWorld columnist, as Caldera's choice to help develop the Linux Standards Base, and most recently as Editor in Chief of Linux Journal.

Nick is a professional writer, programmer, web-developer, and Linux systems administrator ... and more.

Nick can bring a wide range of talents ... and visibility to Dell's Linux and OSS community efforts.

Nick is far more than a 'Jack of all Trades' ... he's mastered quite a few!

Think about it!

What might Nicholas Petreley do for Dell?

I know Dell would gain MY loyalty for life if they tapped his skills!

Michael Dell, do your company a big favor and look up Nick today! 22 Comments »

Give discount for the delays

Sales Strategies, Service and Support submitted by saleemohaib 08/29/07

These days there are delays with some of Dell products. I think as good gesture Dell should offer extra discounts to customers who order products with extended delivery time.

Vote and comment. 23 Comments »