From: jodsmith@essex.ecn.uoknor.edu (John Doug Smith)
Subject: usl - novell
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 21:47:53 GMT
Distribution: us
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

>Novell signs Letter of Intent with AT&T to ACQUIRE Unix system 
>laboratories.

	AT&T's making a big mistake!

>     "Our support of UNIX systems, as evidenced by our earlier 
>investment in USL and the joint creation of Univel, has been 
>driven by the widespread use of UNIX at our customer sites and by 
>our desire to work closely with our industry partners,"  said 

	Bullsh*t!!

>Raymond J. Noorda, president and chief executive officer of 
>Novell.  "This acquisition is being done at the urging of 
>customers who have asked us to support the UNIX system directly 
>and integrate it more fully within the NetWare environment.  This 

	Let me get this straight, UNIX people (or people that have UNIX)
	are asking support from Novell for UNIX systems.  Kinda of like
	asking an accountant to do electrical engineering.

>     Novell recognizes and values the importance of UNIX as an 
>open accessible technology to OEM partners and customers around 
>the world.  As part of Novell, USL's commitment to fair and 
>neutral access to UNIX technology will not change.

	"fair"?? I did not think that "fair" was in Novell's vocabulary
	Now, I know GREED is Novell's vocabulary. Or, is it that now that
	UNIX is beginning to hit the desktop Novell is scared they may have
	some competition.

>     Robert M. Kavner, AT&T group executive for communications 
>products, reiterated what the company has said since 1991 that 
>AT&T intended to reduce its ownership in USL, but that AT&T 
>remains firmly committed to the UNIX system.

	If AT&T is  so committed to UNIX then why sell off the subsidiary
	to Novell?? Major contradiction in terms.

>						  "Associating USL 
>with Novell, another strong company, will allow USL to be an even 
>more effective and flourishing force in the software industry," 
>Kavner said.
	Novell strong??? Isn't this the same Novell (NDS...Novell Data SYS.)
	that went bankrupt in the early 80's and then had Safeguard Scientifics
	come in and babysit the re-organization.

>     Roel Pieper president and chief executive officer of USL 
>said, "The two best technologies for open systems and 
>interoperability are coming together within one company.  The UNIX 
>system provides reliable, secure sophisticated capabilities for 
>network computing applications.  The NetWare environment provides 
>integrated cross-platform system services.  The combination of the 
>two enables distributed computing solutions to be deployed simply 
>and cost effectively from desktops to mainframes."

	Gee! With UNIX we've had every thing Mr. Pieper just described long
	before Novell came into the picture.  Bottom line is, UNIX is gaining
	nothing from Novell.  We have integrated cross platform system services
	already with out Novell.  And as for "simply and cost effectively"
	Novell does not do anything cost effectively.  What cost our dept.
	$7000.00 - $10,000.00 to do with Novell We could have done for about
	$1000.00 with UNIX (for 250 users).


>     USL will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Novell, 
	
	Yuuucchhh!!!

>     When the acquisition is completed, AT&T would hold 
>approximately 3 percent of Novell's common stock.  Kavner 
>emphasized that AT&T viewed its holdings in Novell as an 
>investment and that AT&T had no plans to be involved in USL or 
>Novell's operations or business decisions.

	A very poor investment!

>     AT&T is a global communications and computer company, with 
>total 1991 revenues of $63.1 billion.  It operates the world's 
>biggest and most advanced long distance network and provides 
>communications services and products, as well as network equipment 
>and computer systems, to businesses, consumers, telecommunications 
>service providers and government agencies.

	AT&T does'nt have to care (about Novell) they are the phone
	company.

	In the end I think that this marks  a very bad turn for UNIX
	maybe not in the short term but definitly bad in the long run.
	This is also show to many other people that are considering UNIX
	or Windows NT as an instability in the UNIX market and sway them
	toward Microsoft. It is very debatable as to wether or not
	UNIX or USL is gaining any positive attributes from this deal.
	My  personal opinion, after working in length with both UNIX and
	Novell I think UNIX is much better.  All of the attributes that
	people say novell is offering to UNIX UNIX already has.

	Oh Yeah!? Isn't Apple trying to buy Novell?? (rumor has it).

				jodsmith@essex.ecn.uoknor.edu