Open Source Blog

Dude, you’re getting open source
February 20, 2007

The top 10 most popular features currently requested on the Dell Idea Storm community:

1. Pre-installed Linux (36,931 promotions)
2. Pre-installed OpenOffice (19,683)
3. No extra software, just Vista (15,949)
4. Linux laptop (13,043)
5. No operating system preloaded (10,589)
6. No extra software, just Windows and Vista (9,555)
7. Firefox as default browser (9,227)
8. More RAM (5,680)
9. No overseas tech support (5,053)
10. No India call centers (4,398)

Even if you factor in the fact that the site has attracted more than its fair share of Linux and open source supporters, that’s a phenomenal vote in favo(u)r of open source, and above all choice.

It’s interesting to note the number of people who want Vista (or Vista and Office) but none of the other freeware stuff. The message seems pretty clear: users want choice – but they want it to be their choice, not what Dell (or Microsoft, or whoever) means by choice. Even if that means naked hardware so they can install their own code.

It will be pretty hard for Dell to claim lack of demand for Linux on its PCs and laptops now. It will be interesting to see how the company responds.