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Technology Stocks : Novell (NOVL) dirt cheap, good buy? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Spartex who wrote (27895)	8/26/1999 9:41:00 AM
From: Paul Fiondella	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 42771

Interesting point you make about COO The real question in my mind is whether Schmidt has thought about the extent to which he has to reorganize the company to address the internet challenge. For example engineering continues to deliver products. Where do they go from there? And why does it take so long to get them to market? Where do people with ideas about products fit into this companies structure? Can Novell afford to have people with ideas such as Scott Lemon leave because they don't find any reception for those ideas? Is there a mechanism through outside consultants for getting ideas out of the chain of command and freeing people such as Scott from that chain of command? What about the way that chain of command functions? Should one person be given responsibility for a critical technology? And at what level? Clearly Slitz had no interest in taking command of the Zen technologies and running with them to market. DigitalMe didn't excite him. Creating a directory demand from consumers on the net didn't excite him. Shouldn't these kind of projects excite the next marketing head? Novell's biggest challenge is to look at why it cannot convert its technological lead into a lead in market share. Yes they need partners to succeed but also they also need someone at the head of marketing who can run with the technology, create hot products and homeruns. Frankly since MSFT is running out of steam, I suggest they start to mine the marketing departments of some of these very successful marketing companies like MSFT for talent.

To: Spartex who wrote (27895)	8/26/1999 11:54:00 AM
From: Frederick Smart	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42771

Novell Enables Smart Bandwidth..... Novell meets my requirement for technology which enables "smart" bandwidth. For bandwidth to be "smart" it must contain, map, secure and support common points of control in ONE single platform which offer expanded services that INDIVIDUALS can access and leverage for their own benefit anywhere/anyway/anytime. We are just on the verge of entering a new paradigm where INDIVIDUALS, not companies, will control the keys to the Virtual Kingdom. Smart bandwidth is bandwidth laden with services which empowers connectivity solutions between and among individuals, groups, companies, etc. I think it's important for everyone to retains this single lasar focus on anything which empowers the INDIVIDUAL. For I think, in the long run, THE INDIVIDUAL should have control. If you think different then that becomes more of a political discussion. I'd rather trust INDIVIDUALS to embrace all the tools and powers of this Virtual Kindom in ways which can create powerful leverage for good to spread throughout the world. Too often in this world, the minute we try to aggregate control among - one vs. many - there are only two motivations going on: 1) We're doing so for some political gain. or 2) We're doing so for some economic gain. Either way, we are motivated to look out after ME first and my group second. For if there's nothing in it for ME, why bother? This is the traditional current Old Business model world view: linear quid pro quo. But there are more effective ways to create "group energy" and "group value." 1) Share your ideas. 2) Help others. 3) Inspire and empower them. 4) Trust them. 5) Find areas of mutual overlap. 6) Work together, cooperate, collaborate. 7) Create some value-added - product/service. 8) Humbly listen and serve those who extend their time and trust. The fundamental difference in this approach is SERVICE. There's this "3rd Leg" - a facillitator, catalyst, referral agent, mentor, guide, whatever. The individual, product or service which operates from this 3rd leg approach is more interested in seeing that "I" take responsibility and control for "my" actions and that I freely make my own decisions. Operating from a position of SERVICE, this 3rd Leg approach validates the law of aubundance - give and you will get more, etc. Beyond making decisions for myself, this 3rd Leg approach wants me to control MY information, my data, etc. This 3rd Leg sounds wacky for it values spirit, thought, ideas, relationships and compassion. The traditional Business Model has a very hard time valuing these things for they're impossible to measure, but in my opinion they are THE most important leg of the triad for trust, spirit, thought, vision and energy drives everything. You as the 3rd leg are helping parties that occupy the other two positions. Why? Because you believe this is the best way to grow and prosper. All these steps are focused on ONE goal: earning someone's TIME and TRUST. Thought I'd share this piece of the puzzle with you for I been touching on the topic of "smart" vs. "dumb" bandwidth in refercne to Qwest over on Yahoo (ILNK). Hey Eric, if your new marketing guy wants to get drenched in the evangelism of this IP connectivity-based individual empowerment model, we've got a fantastic place in Montana where everyone could meet: a 17,000 acre ranch that's been in our family for 110 years or a 400 acre piece surrouded by three mountain ranges right in the heart of the best trout fishing in this country - even with 2 miles of "a river running through it." Anyone else interested in meeting to talk about these ideas? In honor of my Montana heritage and the many years I spent working for my grandfather on ranches, I refer to the whole bundle of these ideas as BIG Sky. Amazing the thoughts you come up with when you just walk through open fields with moutains all around you! Peace. GO!!