Direct2Dell

Why all this fuss about LinDVD, of all things? I hate proprietary media players, especially on Linux... I'm glad I'm not subject to the DMCA directly in the UK, because how can someone ever be sued for simply watching a DVD that he or she paid for??? Argh.

Is the ubuntu linux dell's configured in a special way, or can I roll my own Ubuntu dell by downloading the ISO and purchasing an XPS laptop from the Norwegian Dell site?

 Could anyone comment on this?

Thanks.

I bought my Dell Inspiron 1420 two month before LinDVD was even an option.   I was waiting to try and get it "right after the holidays." Now the holidays are a distant memory. 

Since then I have emailed 2 times and called twice,  and I get no who even knows of LinDVD that cam.

I want my LinDVD please. 

I ordered the m1330 a few days ago with the ubuntu install and after browsing around the site noticed the native dvd playback which after a little searching led me here. Anyways the native dvd playback was a nice surprise for a change as i was wondering if there ever would be a legal dvd playback solution for linux.

After reading the blog though I have one question about the backup image that's located on the desktop and that is will the linDVD software be on that or is it exactly the same as the images hosted online with no linDVD?

I usually run linux anyways but in all my tweaking and playing around I do end up reinstalling quite a bit and if I have paid for the software package I would like to be able to back it up also. 

 After the watching the 'OrderStatus' page for 9 days now I see my m1330n has SHIPPED TODAY !! I am so very glad to learn the restore ISO is on the desktop, because I will probably want to dual-boot this laptop and it will be so convenient to have a disc in my hand when I want to reinstall. Of course the restore partition is helpful to many, but having the disc in my hand allows me many possibilities, and I  *do*  like to tinker ; - )

Thanks for the informative video - I am so happy Dell has taken this bold move to bring Linux into its product line, we've been hoping for something like this for years and the stars have lined up nicely to make our dreams come true. Thank you Dell, and thank you Mr. Michael Dell for your vision and courage. Off to the Wiki...  

i want a laptop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I have a question for John Hull----We are considering installing Ubuntu on a number of our desktop dell computers that are from 1 to 3 years old for staff positions.  I will be using Ubuntu Live CD to test to see if Ubuntu has the right software for those particular Dell Desktops.  Is there some way that Dell could provide a list of what Models have compatible internals with Ubuntu and any work around info.  I think there is a big market in retrofitting Ubuntu to existing Dell hardware---aside from new PCs preloaded.

I am ready to buy a new laptop and I desperately want my purchase to be a Dell Ubuntu machine so you know there really is a customer-base out here.  I am even ready to spec out a high-end ($$$) system.  The Inspiron 1420n doesn't suit my size/resolution needs, but the Latitude D830n does.

My first question is, would my purchase of a FreeDOS n-series notebook have the same impact in your Linux sales statistics as an Ubuntu purchase?  If not, I am serious enough about wanting my purchase to "make a statement" that I'd be willing to wait for the next hardware release (soon?  XPS M1530 perhaps?).

My second question is, would Dell sell me a copy of LinDVD once it is made available a la cart to the early Ubuntu purchasers?  I would hate to be left out just because I chose the higher-end FreeDOS, non-Ubuntu system.

My third question is why doesn't' the configuration wizard recommend one of the 1720 printers?  You indicate there is some sort of new hardware support for them, yet readers of this blog might be the only ones who would know.

I realize you can't please everyone, especially not this early on in the process, so thanks for offering the Linux choices you do.

I would like to understand why Dell refuses to:

1. Display Ubuntu as a choice in the normal screens where you select the operating system and tell the buyer that Open Office with hundreds of free programs are part of the Ubuntu choice.

2. Promote Ubuntu PCs to the corporate world

3. Advertise on TV and throughout the Dell website that their new offerings of Ubuntu can save users and companies thousands of dollars 

4. Quicker expansion of Dell offerings with Ubuntu 

I have been running Linux for years on a computer that I have upgraded one component at a time since the 1980's. The only thing left of the original is a keyboard that still has the Packard Bell logo and the floppy drive. Since I haven't upgraded anything for a few years, I began looking at prices for new stuff and somehow came upon the Dell/Ubuntu/Insperon page. I found I could buy everything I wanted for less than the price of a few new parts. And I could buy it without paying the Microsoft tax. There is some ironic humor while ordering the Ubuntu computer on web pages with the "Dell recommends Vista" banner. But I understand Microsoft makes them do that.

The computer was delivered today. This is the first desktop computer that I have bought as a single integrated unit in almost 20 years.

I've played around with it for a few hours now and I've seen enough for me to recommend Dell Ubuntu computers to all but the most obtuse. Everything works perfectly. My daughter, a computer science major, is shopping for a new laptop. I'll talk to her.
 

Larry
 

Hi,

thanks for this release and i ask is dell planning release ubuntu for 64 bits?

I think it's important for some developers and students like me.

 Bye.
 

7.04 was tough to set up with an nVidia card, and you guys went ahead with a 7.10 remastered ISO for 1420 w/ nVidia gfx cards.. THANK YOU!

 

I agree. Just keep on the hardware manufacturers and let more of us buy Dellbuntus and we'll be happy, happy campers (although the LinDVD move is also way, way cool). We're one of those people (in Canada) who's bought Dell with Vi$ta and then hassled customer service into a refund to take it out. We then manually installed Kubuntu. How it saddens my heart though that we probably went on Dells vista sales statistics rather than your stats for people buying Dell for Linux...

Anyway, go team Dell linux - GO!!! :O)

Dell,

Thank you for the continued Ubuntu support. Please don't get discouraged by people insisting on getting updated software for free. As a purchaser of the first line of Ubuntu machines, I in no way expect a free copy of LinDVD.

Thanks for all the good work. Just keep pushing device manufacturers for linux support and I am happy with it all!

 John

I am having trouble downloading the DVD images, they are only 211MB, and I tried with all of them just to see if it was the intel X3100 one. Could you please confirm these images are available for download.

md5sums for the isos would be cool...

also, the image contains a version of restricted modules, that cannot handle the avm fritz pci cards for isdn. this makes it a little bit difficult,  if this card is the only way to connect to the internet... *g

see https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-restricted-modules-2.6.22/+bug/121978 for details.
 

if you guy's are still interested into showing some dvd playing in the LinDVD then maybe a CC lisensed movie or animation such as Elephants Dream Would do?

It Exists in HD and there's the mirror links for DVD disc's image(dlable in parts:

http://orange.blender.org/download 

 (scroll down on the page to the 'DVD EXtras and Disk Images' :)

 should be suitable to test/present different video related stuff.

Dell,

Thanks for your support of the Linux/Ubuntu community. I am downloading the 1420 DVD ISO image as I type, and am looking forward to trying it out on my Inspiron 1520. You guys are really starting to impress me.  

An idea that might be nice would be to make the ISO available for download via BitTorrent.  It's a big file, and using a torrent would offload your servers and allow users to get the content faster.

Thanks again...
 

Is the updated modem driver included in this release? It would also be worth looking at a TurboPrint licence so most printers are supported.

In my experience wifi, modem and printer drivers are the bane of any Linux distro. If Dell can solve this problem then they will be 1000 miles ahead of everyone else.

For those who have not gotten dvd playback to work yet.

You can look at ubuntu guide here:
 
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Gutsy#CD.2FDVD 

After that you can try to install other media players such as xine or mplayer or vlc.

Hope this helps. 

i just bought a inspiron530n desktop w/19" WS monitor. am i going to have to configure ubuntu to get the proper resolution or will this come pre-set?

i heard of it not being in WS mode when it arrives at my door. 

Awesome work Dell Team, you're walking trough the right path.

 I'm from Bogotá, Colombia and this Ubuntu based Dell Notebooks iniciative will bring to my consultant job a spread area of work (if it comes to my country).

 I'm working right now with a Dell Inspiron 6400 on Ubuntu 7.10 and although there's no major problems with configuration, there's some issues with video card (ATI x1300) output video (FN+F8) but..... I LOVE LINUX... and I always will.

 Thank's dell team.

 

This is excellent service from an excellent company. I hope you also include these options in Malaysia. I certainly will make my next Laptop a DELL laptop if it is with a customised Linux Distro.

James
 

If ever they have UDS in Boston again, the couch offer is still open. hope you had a good trip back; and I look forward to hearing about the hardware companies you guys have managed to strong arm into supporting Linux.

It would be interesting to see if there are more Kernel developers from these companies, or weather they are taking the freedom law centre route and just giving useful specifications to the existing developers. Often the OEMs can be intimidated by the kernel guys since normal drivers don't require technical excellence but those guys expect you to learn how to achieve it.

A while back, I purchased my first ever OEM machine, an XPS 410 (E6600, 8800GTX) through my company's employee purchase program. It originally came with Vista Home Premium, which I still have installed on my first partition. Even so, Kubuntu is my primary OS.
I believe Windows Vista to be a good OS, and is generally following XP's road to maturity. I'm sure years from now when "Windows 7" is released, people won't want to switch from Vista. I hope however, that at that time, Ubuntu (and GNU/Linux in general) will be in the public eye more than it is now, with it's reputation for being just for computer geeks firmly out of the way.

I still switch to Vista from time to time to play current games, but I am glad to see that the state of Wine is much better than it was a few years ago, although I must stress the need for current graphics drivers (I am currently sporting the 169.04 beta nVidia drivers). With the support of a major OEM, perhaps GNU/Linux will succeed where BeOS failed, and become a viable alternative to Windows.

So Dell now that DVDs are sorted I don't suppose there's a chance we could twist Creative's arm and make then write a driver for the X-fi ... is there?

 I'll be your best friend :oD

So Today the Bluetooth option showed up on the 1420N Laptop.  When can we expect the webcam and mic?

 How long should we wait?

 For that matter for what it's worth I would rather use Turion 64 x2 processors which appear to perform in Laptops better than Core 2 DUO.

Good video.

With hard work you guys are moving forward. Great move with DVD playback and burnable ISO. Next is multimedia codecs pre-installed. Your Ubuntu machines are evolving into a really good product.

Looking forward to see what you can do with Hardy Heron, which by then the Ubuntu Dells will be in Australia. Hope so.

Great work.

I recently got my XPS1300M (with Vista - buuuh!). I quickly deleted Vista and installed the standard Ubuntu Gutsy.

 
Would there be any benefit for me in using the Dell Ubuntu distribution instead?

Thanks

Anders 

awesome great work Dell.

Too bad i ordered my Inspiron 1420 over 2 weeks ago with Vista (sadly) and not Ubuntu because the model offered with ubuntu, only had an intel x3100 and Not the  nVidia 8400M GS i just ordered.

 Also, the 3 years warranty is way more expensive than the same model that comes with Vista..... :/

 Anyway once it arrives i'll be deleting Vista and installing one of the Ubuntu images you are offering.

 
Thanks again :)
 

So, as an owner of an E1505n laptop, I cannot get the legal DVD player?  Is that what the company line is?  (At this point, I'm asking - I'm not sure how the upgrade process would work).  However, if this feature is [I]not[/I] extendened to original owners, I think you're gonna have a problem...

This is /amazing/.

 Dell, if you do this with all of your PC's, you might just get a more fanatic following than Apple.

I may just have to buy dell instead of system76 or emperorlinux..

One machine may not look like much, but we are talking a $3000 tablet, so it's gotta count for something...
 

Rock on. 

You wrote that 1720 is supported... I installed gutsy on the day it was released and ever since I have a problem with dying ipw3945 (wi-fi driver).  It's really annoying and without some modifications (which include replacing network manager with wicd) requires a reboot every  time that happens (few times a day).  See https://bugs.launchpad.net/ipw3945/+bug/134515 (a quick search will reveal many more).

 Does this announcement mean that this problem has been fixed?  If yes, how can the fix be applied on a stock ubuntu install?

Are remastered, dell-centered iso's available?
 

Looks Great!! I'd love to put Ubuntu on my Inspiron 1520 (running Vista right now); do you offer your ISO image of the 7.10 release for download?