OpenOffice calls on Dell for distribution deal

The OpenOffice project has published an open letter to Dell chief executive Michael Dell asking to bundle OpenOffice with new systems.

"Let’s have a conversation about how we could build an 'OpenOffice.org supplied by Dell' product to give your customers what they are asking for," the group's marketing lead John McCreesh wrote.

The letter touted the high quality of the OpenOffice software and its zero dollar price tag. It also solicited a financial contribution from Dell to assist in the further development of the open source productivity suite.

The letter was inspired by Dell's 'Ideastorm' project. It's an effort by the computer maker to solicit feedback from the public by letting users vote on suggestions from fellow users. A suggestion to bundle OpenOffice with new systems attracted more than 25,000 votes, making it rank second after requests to sell Linux systems.

Dell so far hasn't responded to the widespread calls on the company to support the open source applications. The company has previously said that it would study the feedback from Ideastorm and provide updates on its website.