Software Ideas
There should be an option of having no trialware on all computers
Software submitted by jervis961
08/23/07 **REVIEWED**
Here is a news article about trialware and how Dell feels that regular customers want it but small business ones do. Do they not look at the ideas here?
"Not interested in all of the trial software that clutters up new PCs? You're not alone: According to Dell's recent research in both focus groups and broader surveys, small-business users overwhelmingly view trialware as an irritant, not a benefit. That research has led Dell to axe the extras from its new Vostro line of small-business desktop PCs and laptops. Eliminating demo applications is a major step for Dell, which has caught flack for the quantity of trialware on its consumer PCs. (One frustrated customer went so far as to develop a "Decrapifier" utility. The company says that consumers who buy PCs for personal use do express interest in preloaded trial software, but that small-business users have different needs. By eliminating the trialware from Vostro machines, Dell says it has cut the system setup time in half. For now, Dell is the only major PC manufacturer to ship small-business systems without preinstalled trialware as a standard practice. (Some competitors, such as HP, allow customers to choose a no-trialware configuration.)"
Dell offers a broad amount of software choice and minimal software shipped. Read jeremy_f's post on the options we give our customers
22580
Pre-Installed OpenOffice | alternative to MS Works & MS Office
Software, Desktops and Laptops submitted by dhart
02/17/07
Provide OpenOffice.org for free pre-installation alongside Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office. OpenOffice.org is more capable than Microsoft Works, and a serious competitor to Microsoft Office, at a fraction of the cost (it's free!)
OpenOffice.org can open, create, edit and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Provide as OPTIONS for pre-installation many other high-quality free software programs such as:
- Firefox: web browser with popup and privacy controls; say goodbye to Internet Explorer infections!
- Thunderbird: email program with free anti-spam and privacy controls
- Pidgin: instant messaging all-in-one program for popup-free MSN, Yahoo, AOL and others
&nsbp;[ed: GAIM was renamed Pidgin in April 2007 to settle the issue with AOL's trademark on AIM]
- PDFCreator: creates Adobe PDF files from any program
- Scribus, Inkscape & GIMP: desktop publishing, freehand drawing & powerful image editing
- Audacity & VLC: multi-track audio editing & universal all-in-one media/video/movie/DVD player
- Stellarium & Celestia: planetarium viewer & outer-space mapping, like Google Earth, but for our Solar System
Pre-installed quality free and open source software drastically lowers the cost of new PCs, and helps prevent software piracy. Cast your vote for Linux and other free software. Cast your vote for the Universal Education PC [ed: article removed/merged by dell_admin] utilizing free software.
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.
139059
Open Source Bundle Option for MS PC's
Advertising and Marketing, Software submitted by arhere
3 days ago
The world of open source software is growing in popularity with Firefox and Open Office software. Offer an option for the most popular Open Source applications to be installed on a new machine for a small fee.
Open source software is free, but DELL can charge a small fee for the configuration and support of the software loaded. The fee will help justify the idea which will appeal to the open source community and customers looking for a complete application package at a lower system price.
Some examples of popular open source applications, see web sites like these...
http://www.opensourcewindows.org
For the open source fans getting ready to (-10) this idea remember, DELL is a business that wants to make money. For an idea to be implemented, it has to be appealing to both business and customer.
-AR
190
FIX Quickset
Software, XPS products submitted by mrzero
Jul 11
Quickset update and fix...
1. Volume popup is loses screen placement. When first installed, it is in the lower right corner. After reboot, it is moved to the upper left corner of the screen. Very annoying.
2. For XPS laptops, add functionality where selecting a checkbox will disable LEDs (such as the XPS trackpad, speaker and wing LEDs) when on battery power. This should be a easy addition.
Thanks!
170
Have Firefox pre-installed as default browser
Software submitted by robinjfisher
02/19/07 **REVIEWED**
Does what it says on the tin! Most people only use IE because they aren't aware of other browsers - they think Internet Explorer is the Internet! What would really drive take up of alternative browsers is if Firefox was pre-installed as the default browser so that when people look for the "Internet" in Windows, they are using FF.
Firefox advocates at Dell have initiated discussions and driven action around exploring alternative internet browsers and experiences. As you can tell from our response to the Linux community, open source continues to be a part of our conversations about new products and services.
115813
Dell Dock available for download
Dell Web Site, Software, Laptops submitted by junior
Jul 5
for the new product line Studio, there is a release of the Dell Dock, Dell should make this Dock for download on their website for users of Windows XP and Vista. like this:
Dell.com > having a tab saying Dell Dock, new page opens, Dell Dock for Windows XP, Windows Vista tabs......opening Windows Vista tab......two option tabs saying
Windows Vista Tab
Windows Vista 32/64 bit OS
Windows Vista 32/64 bit SP1 OS
Windows XP tab
Windows XP 32/64 bit SP1/SP2 OS
Windows XP 32/64 bit SP3 bit OS
Windows XP 32/64 bit OS
Thats what I think.
170
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.
120094
Dell Dock
Software submitted by jeopardy
Jun 27 **IMPLEMENTED**
The new Dell Dock software should be downloadable (free of charge) under the drivers section of the Dell Support site for all Dell computers.
Whether it should only be factory-installed on the Studio line or not is another matter.
This is clearly possible since there is a demonstration video of it running on an XPS M1530.
Please see this blog
170
CUDA on DELL
Software submitted by bumscientist
Jun 25 **REVIEWED**
GPU programming is increasingly important in the field of computing. From physics in games (PhysX) to curing cancer (Folding@Home), these calculations are enhanced considerably when using the GPU. Dell fortunately offers top of the line GPUs on their systems, but unfortunately they do not provide up to date drivers capable of developing and running CUDA applications. I would appreciate it if Dell would provide up to date drivers on their site since they disallow the latest drivers to be installed from Nvidia's site.
Best to worst compromise
1) Allow nvidia's driver's to be installed
2) Allow nvidia's driver's to be installed after a warning message
3) Put newewst nvidia drivers on dell support site under "beta"
4) Do nothing, so I have to install the drivers with a modified INF file.
CUDA is the future, but Dell isn't ready for it.
Please see amie_p's comment
130
Future Screens
New Product Ideas, Software submitted by nivek
Jul 1
Dell needs to be ready for the O-LED technology. Work with Microsoft to have the most compatible Drivers and Software for touch-screens made from O-LED's. By the time Windows 7 comes out, O-LED's will be cheep enough for everyone to use them as wallpaper, then you could have your computer screen on all the walls of your house! If Dell and Microsoft partner and work together, Windows 7 will be the best Operating System to Run your O-LED wallpaper on. Just think, you could take your finger, draw a square on the wall, and choose if you want it to be a digital window or a Television! If Dell and Microsoft can recognize this amazing concept and work as a team, the competition (including Apple, Sony, Toshiba, and more) will not stand a chance and be forced out of business.
160
Allow MediaDirect button to be re-assigned
Software submitted by jeopardy
Jun 27
If a customer chooses to uninstall Dell MediaDirect, provide a separate configuration application which can re-assign the MediaDirect button to launch another program (eg iTunes).
This is possible by editing the registry so presumably a simple program could easily be written and included.
Perhaps this feature could be incorporated into QuickSet?
230
Allow Anti-Virus as Optional
Sales Strategies, Software submitted by rgb66rgb
09/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
Some purchasers already have subscriptions to anti-virus products that can be ported to new systems. Not having a 'no anti-virus' option on every system order page forces those users to essentially buy two licenses when only one machine will be used.
2700
Better Security
Software submitted by nivek
Jul 1
Dell should work with Microsoft to create a Authentication Software for computers that are equipped with Microphones and/or Webcams. This software would A) Be able to Authenticate a user based on voice recognition and B) Be able to Authenticate a user based on face recognition. If Dell and Microsoft work together to get this released in Windows 7, it could be listed as a major feature of Dell Machines (Compatible with Windows Authentication) and of Windows 7. This partnership would be mutually beneficial, and I only hope that workers from Apple and Apple supporters are not allowed to see these suggestions.
Apple Users, GO AWAY!
90
"Dell Dock" makes Studio Laptops look like a Mac!
Software, Laptops submitted by james-94
Jun 26
I don't know about anyone else but i think that the new "Dell Dock" that comes with the new Studio 15 and Studio 17 laptops would make it look like a mac. The "Dell Dock" should be an option if you want it installed. Also if you don't want your desktop cluttered with icons move them to the quick launch or something not to a dock.
100
Why can't we get multi-boot Linux systems?
Linux, Operating Systems, Software submitted by winoffice
06/06/07
Many people would like Linux on their PCs (I don't want it now, but I might consider it if it is multi-booted with Windows), but some must get it multi-booted with Windows, as they may need Windows at home (they may love the new Vista looks, for example), work (they may spend the money for Windows because of requirements at work, for example), etc., or just to run some Windows-only applications.
First: Thus, please have Dell offer multi-boots too.
But do not just offer multi-boots.
Let us get any version of Linux available (let us choose more than one), and any version of Windows available (again, let us choose more than one). Dell should offer the following operating systms in a fashion shown below, but do not force us to get Windows, and do not force us to get Linux either (in other words, people should be able to pick one from each group of operating systems):
Windows XP (choose one): None, Home Edition, Media Center, or Professional
Windows Server 2003 (choose one): None, Web Edition, Standard Edition, Small Business Standard Edition, Small Business Premium Edition, Enterprise Edition, or Datacenter Edition
Windows Vista (choose one): None, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate
Linux (choose one): None, Ubuntu Desktop Edition, Ubuntu Server Editon, or Other Linux (if applicable or available)
By the way, about Windows Server 2003, Dell offers it on compatible servers, and since most Dell PCs meet the requirements, Dell can certainly offer Windows Server 2003 on compatible PCs, for managing web sites on a local network, for example. But I still included the "None" option there if anyone does not need it or does not want it.
Second: Also, once Dell does offer the multi-boot systems, offer all the stickers too -- but make them optional. Of course, keep the processor sticker as one of them. However, add all of the relevant OS stickers as well. For example, if a user selects a choice other than "None" for all four operating systems, then include five stickers: the processor, XP, 2003, Vista, and Linux stickers. If a user selected only Vista and Linux, then include three stickers: the processor, Vista, and Linux. Finally, add a page to the "Build my system" wizard called "Choose your stickers". Only if a user did not select "None" for a particular OS should a user be able to get the sticker for that OS.
The "Choose your stickers" dialog box should look somewhat like this. I assume here that all four operating systems are included. If not, then the dialog box should be changed accordingly.
Do you want the processor sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Windows XP sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Windows Server 2003 sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Windows Vista sticker? Yes No
Do you want the Ubuntu (or other Linux if applicable) sticker? Yes No
And, finally, the stickers should be all be put in the same, and in a reasonable, area, where they always have been (if only, of course, the user said that he/she wants them). Examples: For desktops/servers, this means the bottom-left corner of the front. For notebooks, this means the lower-right corner of the keyboard/touchpad area.
Third: Since a user will almost certainly get both Windows and Linux this way, make three types of keyboards (keep the original Windows keyboards; the other one should be for Ubuntu Linux; the third should be for both):
One should bear only the Windows logo on both start keys (they are between the Ctrl and Alt keys), and should be used on systems on which only Windows is selected.
Another should bear only the Ubuntu logo on both start keys, and should be used on systems on which only Ubuntu is selected.
The last should bear both logos on both start keys, and should be used on systems on which both Windows and Ubuntu are selected.
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