Dell users ask for Linux, OpenOffice support

Computer builder launches Digg-like user feedback service.

Dell has launched a new website where users can submit and vote on ideas for new products and product enhancements.

The mechanism behind the new IdeaStorm service is similar to that of social bookmarking services such as Digg.com and Del.icio.us. Each user can submit ideas to the service. Other users can then vote and comment on those suggestions.

Users in the first few days of the service urged Dell to more aggressively promote open source software. A suggestions that Dell should "pre-install Linux" to cut the price of new PCs attracted more than 45,000 over a three day period.

The second highest ranking suggested recommended that the system builder provides users with an option to have the OpenOffice productivity suite preinstalled on new systems, attracting more than 25,000 votes in two days.

Users also backed up complaints about the massive amount of trial or sponsored software that come bundled with new systems such as trial subscriptions for internet provider or browser toolbars.

Dell chief executive Michael Dell unveiled the service on Friday.

"We are at our best when we are hearing directly from our customers," he said. "We listen, learn and then improve and innovate on what our customers want. It's one of the real advantages of being a direct company."

Dell currently supports Linux on its servers, and offers a set of three desktop computers that come pre-installed with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4. It doesn’t offer any Linux laptops, but sells a few models without any preinstalled operating system. It doesn't support OpenOffice.

The computer maker promised to provide to use the website to keep the public informed on ideas that it plans to implement and will post updates on its IdeaStorm website.

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