Novell is releasing new networking software aimed at small businesses and will make it available for free, the company said on Thursday.
Novell Offers Free Networking Software
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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As a big Novell supporter, one who thinks Novell’s file and print server capabilities far outweigh EVERY OTHER ALTERNATIVE, I say “Go Novell!”
on this page:
http://www.novell.com/products/smallbiz/nsbs_starterpack/
it states that it is free, except for the:
All you pay for is the services of your Novell partner: They’ll set your network up for you without disrupting your business
Well – there goes the total FREE concept they are trying to push. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge support of Novell (as well as Microsoft and LINUX)(I just love networking in general), but if they are going to advertise a FREE product, they should make it absolutely FREE. Let people download the ISO of the software and use it – I bet they would get tens of thousands of downloads so people could try it out…
Having a hidden clause in there like “a solution provider will have to install it” is like LINUX requiring a system provider to come by and install it for you too!
DOH!
Bill Teeple
“All you pay for is the services of your Novell partner: They’ll set your network up for you without disrupting your business ”
Use Linux or FreeBSD instead of Novell.
… only 5 User trial version for a unlimited time. If you really want to use it after one month 😉
In a world where I can get the functionality of Netware for free, I don’t care much about a 5 User license.
(and I really hate this buggy slow Console One)
“All you pay for is the services of your Novell partner: They’ll set your network up for you without disrupting your business ”
Use Linux or FreeBSD instead of Novell.
Which is essentially saying the same thing.
Novell is apparently providing the software through a network of VARs that will install it on your machine.
If you use Linux or FreeBSD, you will still have to “pay the services” of whoever sets that system up; whether its your time, your employees time, or a “partner”.
Yes, but Will:
I do this for a living – setting up LINUX, 2000 and NetWare networks…
My point is for a techno geek like myself, it is easy for me to install their software and have no need for a VAR who will probably charge 100.00 per hour.
Even if you are a CNE, it appears they will require you to go through the channels of securing and having the software installed via a VAR.
They should just make it a FREE download and then when I go to a client and ask what he would like, I can give him the options of NetWare SB suite 5 user FREE version or LINUX as FREE alternatives to a Windows infrastructure. (MS should do the same too, but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon).
I guess I should become a VAR for NetWare!
🙂
Bill
Good point Bill i.e. (My point is for a techno geek like myself, it is easy for me to install their software and have no need for a VAR who will probably charge 100.00 per hour.”
Novell needs to take a honest look at its niche (whatever it is).