It was just a little less than a year ago that Dell Computers launched IdeaStorm. The idea behind IdeaStorm: to create a social network for Dell customers that would provide a feedback channel to Dell promoting what they would like Dell to do with its product lines and customer service.

Almost a year later, how's it going? Depends on who you ask.

Check out this one thread, for example, "IdeaStorm Protest". At issue: complaints run amok that Dell is not actually paying attention to what customers are asking for on IdeaStorm and when they do take an Idea, they modify it to the point that it is almost unrecognizable.

Is this fair? I dunno. Maybe yes, maybe no. But, that's not my point anyway.

Start reading through the thread. There are over 200 postings.... from roughly the same five or six people. Five or six people with that much time on their hands? Not what I would call a valuable focus group in the grand scheme of things.

I do believe adding a "social network" component can be a very valuable marketing intelligence tool for a business. I buy into the idea of turning your customer base into a community.

if, big if....

done right!

And maybe Dell is. Here are just a few ideas from the site they are taking to heart and in the process of rolling out...

- Selling Dell ink cartridges at Staples for easier access.

- Making it easier to opt out of Dell selling your marketing information (Naughty, I think, they do it in the first place. Aren't they making enough money off PCs and servers?)

- Go carbon neutral.

One bad sign, however: the customer outcry that Dell put a direct link to IdeaStorm on their home page (Duh!).

Here's Dell's answer:

It's not a link to IdeaStorm that we've added, but it is a link to our new Community hub page, which contains links to tools like IdeaStorm, Dell Community Forums, Direct2Dell, StudioDell, Ratings and Reviews, and more.

No direct link to IdeaStorm on the home page? Bad sign! Bad sign!

Stay tuned. I give it three months max before it gets the ax. Let's see if I'm right.