Dell lets users avoid 'bloatware'
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(InfoWorld) - Dell is allowing its customers to decline the unwanted software applications loaded on new PCs, after hundreds of users complained about such "bloatware" on a company blog. Many software companies pay PC vendors to install their applications on new computers, hoping to gain new customers or persuade users to upgrade to a new version. But customers say it can take a savvy user hours to remove unwanted programs, and those who are less sophisticated may never be able to reclaim the wasted memory. On Monday, Dell agreed to give buyers of certain models the option to avoid what the company calls "preinstalled software." Buyers of Dimension desktops, Inspiron notebooks, and XPS PCs can now click a field in Dell's online order form that will block the installation of software for productivity, ISPs, and photo and music. "Since we launched IdeaStorm, there has never been a shortage of conversation about 'bloatware' here! Well we've recently taken action on your feedback on this topic, and we're working toward giving customers more choice in the amount and type of software that is preinstalled on their systems at the time of purchase," Dell said on the blog. The company has also loaded an extra "uninstall utility" program on Dimension and Inspiron computers sold in the United States, making it easier for new computer users to remove software they don't want. However, Dell will continue to install three applications on its new computers, including trial versions of anti-virus software, Adobe Systems's Acrobat Reader, and Google's Google Toolbar, said Michelle Pearcy, Dell's worldwide client software manager in another posting. The company includes anti-virus software because many customers expect their PCs to be protected at first boot, Acrobat because it is required to read electronic copies of system documentation, and Google Toolbar because it aids Web surfing by suggesting likely alternatives to mistyped URLs, she said. "The end result is that customers can tailor the amount and type of software that is preinstalled on their systems to meet their specific needs at time of purchase," Pearcy said. Many users said Dell had not gone far enough, however. Dozens of comments attached to Pearcy's blog posting pleaded with the company to abstain from loading any software on a new machine except for Microsoft's Windows OS and Office tool suite. "Would love the ability to have a clean Vista install. No AOL software, no EarthLink software, no Google software -- just a clean, original OS," said someone writing under the name "ootleman" in a Feb. 16 posting that has since received thousands of votes on Dell's site. That post helped start the idea for Dell to give users more control, since it has remained one of the most popular ideas on the company's IdeaStorm Web site since being posted on the blog's first day, Pearcy said. Despite users' persistence, some may find it challenging to find a PC vendor that does not load extra software on new machines. Gateway did not respond to a request for comment, but Hewlett-Packard said it also preinstalls software. HP does not sell any PCs running only an OS, but it does allow individual users to remove the programs they don't like, said Melissa Stone, a spokeswoman for HP. "HP offers third-party software with its consumer PCs in order to provide customers with programs that will enhance their computing experience," Stone said. "Not all users will have the same preferences, therefore each user has the ability to keep or remove the programs he or she finds most valuable. Current products offer a very carefully chosen set of HP, Microsoft, and third-party software and services that HP believes will bring the most value to the customer."
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After a former Dell sales manager posted bargain-hunting tips in a blog, Dell tried to have the blog deleted. Later, the company said that effort had been a mistake.
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Dell has started offering Ubuntu Linux on its high-end XPS M1330 laptop
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Dell has announced the availability of virtualisation services.
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While earlier efforts by Dell to sell Linux-based hardware may not have been a big success, the company is heeding the advice of IT users and trying it again.
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OCTOBER 15, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Dell Inc. took the wraps off its holiday lineup on Thursday, showing new printers, plasma televisions and music players that will soon be available through its Web site.
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Blog: Dell adds Vostro line to menu of laptops and desktops
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OCTOBER 26, 2004 (NETWORK WORLD) - Installing and configuring storage-area network technology has gotten simpler as companies such as Dell Inc.
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Praveen Asthana, director of Dell storage, says his company is focused on reducing deployment costs and the complexity of storage so storage is as easy to install as servers are right now.
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(Source: Liebert)  High-density servers are accelerating the demand for increased power and cooling capacity in the data center. Dell and Emerson Network Power have joined to devise four scenarios that address customer problems by utilizing Dell Energy Smart servers and Liebert cooling. These scenarios have shown such results as, up to a 250% performance gain with no increase in facility power requirements.
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Responding to customer complaints, Dell Inc. said Thursday it plans to gradually reduce its use of mail-in rebates and its often confusing array of other promotional offers.
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Possibly launching a rival to Apple's iPod Mini, Dell is expected to unleash a number of consumer gadgets.
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InfoWorld - The new team of leaders at Dell is weighing a request to give customers the option to purchase PCs with the Linux OS, instead of the default Windows, after thousands of users voted for that idea on a company blog.
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By Heather Hamilton< Morris News Service  Dear Heather: I have been a Dell user for two years. One thing I can't figure out and need your help with is how to delete spam mail without clicking on the message. When you highlight the e-mail in Outlook Express,  it opens.
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Dell officials are considering a request from users for laptops running the Linux operating system instead of Windows.
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Q: It seems that most of the problems, viruses, etc. that PC users have are associated with Outlook Express or Windows XP. I don&#39;t use either of them.
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Unpatched Windows machines are vulnerable to latest adware attack