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

To: Scott C. Lemon who wrote (30818)	3/26/2000 1:50:00 PM
From: EPS	Respond to of 42771

Hi Scott, The act outraged Mr. Gates, who saw nothing in the stunt but the outright victimization of his company, which then spelled its name "Micro-Soft." He wrote an angry letter to the computer hobbyists. "As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software," the letter said. "Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share. Who cares if the people who worked on it get paid?" This initial confrontation between Mr. Gates, then 20, and an anarchic cadre of programmers and hardware tinkerers was the forge of a basic tension that is still shaping the computer industry. nytimes.com I would ask Steve to open up the code for the Linux developing community. EPS

To: Scott C. Lemon who wrote (30818)	3/26/2000 6:15:00 PM
From: ToySoldier	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 42771

Scott, You took the words out of my mouth. Many senior Novell Management do read the posts on SI (although lately I might question the value of doing so). If Fred were to provide a detailed list of specific things he would like to point out to Steve and his team, they would likely read it, BUT the infrmation must have concrete tangible value. They dont want to hear philosophical points as much as they want to hear actual business issues, problems, solutions, drivers, and perspectives on Novell's current technologies that Steve's team could use to develop future marketing strategies. The one they will be announcing this week will obviously not take into account anything this board has to say in the next while - since they have already created a marketing solution. But, evolution of this new "thing" could be impacted by valid and valuable points made by Fred and others. Novell wants to know what issues & perceptions of the decision makers that are or could become paying Novell customers are causing them to stop, avoid, start, or continue to purchase Novell technologies. Fred does talk a lot about the INDIVIDUAL and TRUST and that is a great theory BUT the individual simply does not currently put a lot of money in the hands of Novell's revenue stream. If/when Novell moves toward more and more NET Services in addition to NET Services Infrastructure, then the opinions of the INDIVIDUAL will carry more weight (strength in numbers $$$). But Novell wants to know why a CitiCorp is still loyal to Novell and why other industry giants dont even give Novell a token look. A bigger bang for Novell's marketing buck if they could start turning ON interest in those non-Novell loyal accounts. So Fred, please detail what business problems are stopping you and your business from having a Novell technology loyalty? How would Novell better demonstrate / prove their technology solution to your company? What is missing in Novell's technology that keeps you from buying Novell? Is their a message that Novell is not getting across regarding what they have to offer you as a business? Is there a better way that Steve and his team could present Novell's solution to you and the industry? A better format? A better media/medium? What players, events, critical influencers, motivators, etc. move you and your company to make any I.T. decisions? Answer us these kind of questions Fred and you will perk the ears of Steve and David. Cheers! Toy

To: Scott C. Lemon who wrote (30818)	3/26/2000 7:12:00 PM
From: Frederick Smart	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 42771

Specific Step By Step Nonsense..... >>I have a feeling that one reason that they are hesitant to call is that "general statements" don't do them much good ... specific, direct, step-by-step plans are what would provide them value ... IMHO.>> Scott: We've had discussions about this until we were blue in the face. At least calls have been made between and among certain people on this board. Risks have been taken. Information has been shared. Non-disclosures have been signed. NOTHING - I repeat - NOTHING will happen, can happen unless people first pass the test of creating goodwill and trust with one another. There is no reason to advance to the "step by step" stage with anyone unless the trust and goodwill and energy is there to warrent moving forward. I have shared a ton of ideas concerning general direction, vision, mission and energy with this community. I dare say the energy and ideas I have shared have had a much more profound impact on Novell, Eric Schmidt, Steve Adams, you and all the rest of those who read this board - for one simple reason. I have placed a stake in the ground which is challenging others to consider a completely "new" perspective. For unless you do this there is no value to defining "step by step" whatever you are trying to do. If Steve Adams or anyone is hesitant to call or risk or consider something that may challenge the status quo, the question I have is, "Why?" For what reason? What are they trying to hold onto? Why don't they want to risk moving in this direction? The direction I've been talking about is massively different from the direction Novell has been heading. First you have to get their attention before you have any chance to stop the ship, much less turn it around. A year ago, I really felt we were close to turning this ship around. But the ship has been dead in the water. A ton of posturing. Many people trying to impress others. Scott, I'm not going to fall these negative "show me" games, whether they are posed by you or anyone else. You couldn't get them to move. And here you were on the inside in the best position to effect massive change. Why did you fail? Why did you quit? But lets's not get down in the mud. Let's try to come together and ask positive questions which are inclusive. Let's ask: - what can we all do to help Novell "see" and understand these new energies? - what can we do to help them move in these new directions? - how can we work together to make this happen? Let's focus on a collaborative, cooperative position which everyone can feel they can be a part of. Peace. GO!!