Number one Dell customer idea/request: Pre-install Linux

greggh · Post by **greggh** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:24 pm

On Dell's new Digg like Customer feedback site Pre-installing Linux is #1

http://www.dellideastorm.com/

Pre-installing Open Office is #3

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

Desktops and Notebooks submitted by dhart 2 days ago

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 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!

Wally Balljacker · Post by **Wally Balljacker** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:59 pm

It would be nice if Dell would pre-install Linux, but I really don't see it happening. I think the reason why Dell is so reluctant to offer Linux is because of the same reason Lenovo won't. They don't want to piss off Microsoft. Do you really think Microsoft would sit by idly, and let them ship Linux systems?

KStorm · Post by **KStorm** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:27 pm

Wally Balljacker wrote:It would be nice if Dell would pre-install Linux, but I really don't see it happening. I think the reason why Dell is so reluctant to offer Linux is because of the same reason Lenovo won't. They don't want to piss off Microsoft. Do you really think Microsoft would sit by idly, and let them ship Linux systems?

Must be the "jealous husband" syndrome. I guess Dell does ship PCs w/"Red Flag" Linux installed, albeit in China.

Wally Balljacker · Post by **Wally Balljacker** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:39 pm

KStorm wrote:
Wally Balljacker wrote:It would be nice if Dell would pre-install Linux, but I really don't see it happening. I think the reason why Dell is so reluctant to offer Linux is because of the same reason Lenovo won't. They don't want to piss off Microsoft. Do you really think Microsoft would sit by idly, and let them ship Linux systems?
Must be the "jealous husband" syndrome. I guess Dell does ship PCs w/"Red Flag" Linux installed, albeit in China.

Well, you can get Dell systems with RedHat installed. There are only a select few, and they are designed for server and workstation use, though.

It would be nice if they would make a full commitment to Linux, and offer it on all their machines.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/glob ... l=en&s=biz
http://www.dell.com/content/products/fe ... l=en&s=bsd

jamathis · Post by **jamathis** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:49 pm

I think if demand was great enough, they'd be foolish to ignore it. It would be great for an OEM like Dell to stand up to Microsoft. They really should be looking at alternatives such as Linux anyway. Think of how many refunds they are going to have to give out when Vista won't work with HD monitors and such. I'm sure there will be plenty of consumers who will ship there PCs back because of Vista being defective by design.

Wally Balljacker · Post by **Wally Balljacker** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:01 pm

jamathis wrote:I think if demand was great enough, they'd be foolish to ignore it. It would be great for an OEM like Dell to stand up to Microsoft. They really should be looking at alternatives such as Linux anyway. Think of how many refunds they are going to have to give out when Vista won't work with HD monitors and such. I'm sure there will be plenty of consumers who will ship there PCs back because of Vista being defective by design.

That's the problem, there isn't much demand, because Dell isn't creating any. They offer RHEL server and workstations for businesses on some obscure corner of their website. Hardly anybody even knows about those systems. It's going to take a big banner on their main page saying "Dell supports Ubuntu Linux on all Dell hardware" for people to take notice.

Vogateer · Post by **Vogateer** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:07 pm

If you really want this sort of thing to hit home, you have to basically tell them that they've lost business to someone else. Unless they start hearing, "I considered a Dell, but bought from System76 because they ship with Linux installed and supported," and start hearing it often, they won't take notice. Of those recommendations on the site, the best you could hope for is a better looking Dell… They're not going to install Linux, and they're not going to increase the price of their laptops to get rid of all that extra software.

Vogateer · Post by **Vogateer** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:11 pm

They could try to create demand, but with my experience, users want three things: familiarity, familiarity, and above all, familiarity. Any slight change throws them for a loop, and they're hopelessly lost. Until you force someone to use linux or even OS X for over a month, there's not a snowball's chance in Hell they'll switch.

jamathis · Post by **jamathis** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:12 pm

Wally Balljacker wrote:
jamathis wrote:I think if demand was great enough, they'd be foolish to ignore it. It would be great for an OEM like Dell to stand up to Microsoft. They really should be looking at alternatives such as Linux anyway. Think of how many refunds they are going to have to give out when Vista won't work with HD monitors and such. I'm sure there will be plenty of consumers who will ship there PCs back because of Vista being defective by design.
That's the problem, there isn't much demand, because Dell isn't creating any. They offer RHEL server and workstations for businesses on some obscure corner of their website. Hardly anybody even knows about those systems. It's going to take a big banner on their main page saying "Dell supports Ubuntu Linux on all Dell hardware" for people to take notice.

While I do agree with you on the need for them to advertise it more. I disagree somewhat on the demand issue. There are a lot of people (I know quite a few) out there that are sick of the viruses and malware that plague Windows systems, but don't want to pay the premium for a Mac, and aren't technically inclined enough to install Linux and make it work how they want it to. Yes, there are some, that will still use Windows (i.e. gamers), but all that's needed is a major OEM to give Linux a chance, and as you stated advertise for it and create more demand, so that the average user knows that that option is available.

Vogateer · Post by **Vogateer** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:20 pm

You know what Windows users really want? Windows without the security concerns and stability problems. They want the same thing they're used to without the hassles. People get upset when various environments mimic the Windows look and feel, but that's exactly what they want. Some people will say that this is a problem because people will expect windows programs to work. I call BS on that, since very few people I know install anything on their computer.

Wally Balljacker · Post by **Wally Balljacker** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:29 pm

Vogateer wrote:You know what Windows users really want? Windows without the security concerns and stability problems. They want the same thing they're used to without the hassles. People get upset when various environments mimic the Windows look and feel, but that's exactly what they want. Some people will say that this is a problem because people will expect windows programs to work. I call BS on that, since very few people I know install anything on their computer.

Well, isn't that Vista? Vista SO FAR is supposedly secure. There are zero known exploits for Vista as of yet. And I think for desktop use, Windows is stable enough for most users. Windows itself isn't THAT UNSTABLE. What causes instability is installing tons of questionable 3rd party shareware applications, and using P2P programs that invite virus's and spyware onto the system.

allix · Post by **allix** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:35 pm

Vogateer wrote:They could try to create demand, but with my experience, users want three things: familiarity, familiarity, and above all, familiarity. Any slight change throws them for a loop, and they're hopelessly lost. Until you force someone to use linux or even OS X for over a month, there's not a snowball's chance in Hell they'll switch.

consumer computers have not always been windows, there was the Amiga, commodore 64 , acorn risk amongst others. The c64 is the most popular home computer of all time, partly because there did not have 20 models every 6 months.
When the Amiga came out , sure c64 users thought it was different, but they adapted.

If linux because the dominant os in the next few years , people would just accept it and adapt and get use to it after a while.

Vogateer · Post by **Vogateer** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:39 pm

The brilliant thing is that now Vista IS the problem most people are having. The machines don't have the power to play DVDs with all that DRM crap going on, and people are having lots of trouble playing any multimedia. Who needs malware writers when Vista programmers can muck things up themselves before anyone else gets to it.

I don't mean this as a knock agasint Linux, but seriously, in my experience it takes some forceful prodding to get someone to try something knew. Forceful as in forcing it on them by wiping out windows and installing linux. People hate change, and I don't really blame them for it, but they should be prepared to accept that if they aren't willing to change, then they certainly should expect the usual competitive market forces to improve things. Without simple choice, the market has no reason to produce a better product. People are strongly adamant about not trying a new OS, which is very different from how willing they are to try a new car.

With cars, they're all about the same. Steering wheel, accelerator, brake, maybe a clutch and gear shift. Pick up how to turn on the lights, windshield wipers, and blinkers, and you're good. Not the same thing for computers, which is why linux and even OS X have a tremendously difficult uphill battle. Linux desktop for the business is the best hope for Linux desktop at home. Force them to use it at work, and at the very least you have linux as a viable option at home. Could be wrong, obviously, but that's what my personal experience tells me.

Post by **Patrick** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:44 pm

Big yawn in regards to Dell. Actions speak louder than words. Until then it's just all talk. Ultimately it comes down to how difficult M$ will make life for them.

Vogateer · Post by **Vogateer** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:48 pm

Yeah, 16,000 people just isn't a real number for them. 160,000 might have been a little different, but not likely. Like I said, of the options I saw, there's really only one that I'd see them do, and that's making their laptops and maybe their desktop machines look a bit more stylish.