Novell as Open Source Hero?

ccnull writes "Who's the #2 Linux vendor in the world? Would you believe Novell? Infoworld takes a look at this long-struggling giant and how it has (and hasn't) reinvented itself as an open source company in the face of utterly losing the LAN market to Microsoft." The piece argues: "But even though it seems to be holding all the right cards, Novell faces tough odds. In recent years, tough competition from Microsoft and dwindling support from third-party developers have caused Novell's once-loyal base to look elsewhere for infrastructure needs. Unless it can win back the loyalty of the industry, Novell's new, Linux-centric message could fall on deaf ears."

Who's the #2 Linux vendor in the world?

[NaDrew]

(Novell!)
You're damn right!

Who is the vendor that would face Microsoft and SCO?
(Novell!)
Can ya dig it?

Who's the vendor that won't cop out
when there're lawsuits and FUD all about?
(Novell!)
Right on.

You see this Novell is a bad mother--
(shut your mouth!)
But I'm talkin' about Novell!
(then we can dig it)

It's a complicated company
But no one understands it but Ray Noorda
(Novell!)

Re:Effective?

[PabloJones]

When I say "Novell" what do you think of first?

The crappy Novell Netware client stuff they used on the computers back in high school.

Re:Novell has a good name with their customers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Good thing your sales guy didn't pitch it as "some mexican kid named Miguel's hobby project that's running on Deb and Ian's Unstable OS"

Re:Effective?

[Janek Kozicki]

"failed network company"

hey, I think "ancient network giant". Hmm it looks like a good name for a nethack monster :)

In the Novell development center...

[DungeonCoder]

Ximian guy: The next distro is focused in GNOME.
SuSE guy: No, GNOME is crap, KDE is the focus.
Ximian guy: KDE is kbloated!!!!!!!!
SuSE guy: STFU dwarf!
Ximian guy: STFU you nazi german!
Microsoft guy (only watching): Round 1! Fight!

Re:Effective?

[Anonymous Coward]

When I say "Novell" what do you think of first?

BETAMAX!

Networking...

[Maljin Jolt]

With this enormous experience with networking as comodity, perhaps Novell should made multiplayer games? Like Microsoft.

Re:Novell and IBM, sitting in a tree

[jman251]

" I know of a little company that can do that - so little they only need three letters for their name." SCO? Wow, they've really turned things around.....

In the Shade

[tarsi210]

Here's how I see it: Novell, having locked up the LAN market years ago, has since retired to the poolside patio. Only recently has it put down its Cosmo, set down its martini, glanced over its shades, and noticed that the sun has gone down. Now it's jumping into the Linux pool (where Microsoft has peed in the shallow end), realized that it has forgotten how to swim, can't tread water, and its water wings are still back in the cupboard.

Good on ya, Novell, for attempting to jump into the middle of things, but you need to focus first on revamping your marketing and business strategy departments; otherwise, you would not have lost so much ground in the server room. Realize your excellent assests but don't rely on them; understand your business but don't count on it; acknowledge your competitors but don't give them slack. Take those things to court on this Linux deal and you might have a shot. Good luck.

Didn't RedHat try this.

[Anonymous Coward]

Didn't RedHat change their name to Fedora?