Nickname: SM

Review: The problem with Novell's strategy is that they are only focusing on converting existing Netware users, and ignoring new users who want to adopt the fastest growing server OS - Linux. With this strategy, Novell is always going to have declining sales as their Netware base gradually dwindles.

Date reviewed: Oct 24, 2005 3:00 PM

Nickname: Chuck

Review: I have been a holder of Novell stock since 1984 and believed in the technology offered by them. They always have had a problem with transferring great products into great profits. Messman has always been the anchor, not the sail. The Board of Directors have never, ever influenced the company direction and the benefits always went to the management through stock options rather than to the benefit of the stockholders. They always had a billion dollars plus or minus in capital but never used it to develop the market for their excellent products. Microsoft looks at Novell as a weak, non- competing entity and Messman is the main reason.

Date reviewed: Oct 24, 2005 2:36 PM

Nickname: dom

Review: Sell the company to IBM.

Date reviewed: Oct 24, 2005 1:39 PM

Nickname: former Novell

Review: I have to laugh at the "re-tooling" of the salesforce. What re-tooling? They are the same bunch of turkeys who have been around for years trying to sell NetWare to Novell customers. Does it not seem obvious that if Novell can't sell Linux, and if everybody says that the Novell Linux distro is pretty good, then you have a sales problem? Novell will only lay off engineering (the heart of the company), and consulting (the future of the company), because the sales organization is too entrenched. Ask any customer "How often does your salesperson come around?" They don't. In my considered opinion, Novell must get rid of most of the salesforce and replace them with new blood who does not drink the traditional Novell Kool-aid. And that starts at the top of the sales organization. Messman may not be the typical software guy, but don't forget he inherited the fat cat sales team and has suffered because of their incompetence ever since.

Date reviewed: Oct 24, 2005 1:14 PM

Nickname: Hal

Review: Jack has been with the company how long? First he was on the board umpteen years and then took over from Eric. (Did Eric make the right decision to leave for Google!?) Next Jack got the Novell board to buy out Cambridge, his company! What did that accomplish? No increase in revenues but plenty of increases in overhead. Two years to turn the company around? Jack has been CEO for over 4 years I believe. He should have cut payroll years ago, big time. What possibly can 6,000 emplyees be doing for a company with hardly over $1B in revenues and losing ground every quarter? What about the need for corporate jets? If Jack's salary was based on performance he would owe the stockholders a lot of money. Let's face it. Jack is about taking care of Jack. Period. The board needs at least a year's supply of no-doze and a major housecleaning.

Date reviewed: Oct 24, 2005 12:59 PM