I've just started reading this thread -- good stuff on both sides of the argument.
I'm a CNE working at a law firm using a mixed Netware 4.11/NT network. Fact is, Netware remains a superior file and print server, while NT is better as an app server (that's not news and has probably been agreed upon on this thread long ago).
The head of our IS department is among those who believe that Novell won't be around much longer. But until Microsoft releases NT Server 5.0, and can prove they have a directory service as good as NDS that can handle file and print services as well as Netware, we're not about to replace our Novell servers with NT. In the meantime, Novell is about to release a new version of their product which has, glory of glories, a graphical interface and, even better, runs on pure IP. Novell even boasts that their new OS will function better as an application server. Mind you, I haven't gotten my hands on a pre-release to look at this yet, but what I've read so far has been very impressive.
That said, I have serious doubts that Novell is going to displace NT as our platform of choice for things like e-mail (we're moving from GroupWise to Exchange as I write), or web services (we like IIS and MS Proxy Server).
Bottom line, I think there's hay to be made as Novell releases 5.0 ahead of Miscrosoft. Whether or not this will resurrect Novell remains to be seen, but I'm sure it has everything to do with the recent surge in the stock price.
I'm still watching from the sidelines and I'll look forward to reading more and perhaps investing a few dollars.
- Peter B |
