[ILUG] Novell netware and Linux?

[John Gay]

I realise this is probably a no-brainer, but, being lan-illiterate, I'll ask
anyway.

I've made some progress in encouraging the use of Linux over M$, but am still
getting some flack. The latest nail I put in M$'s coffin here was StarOffice.
Now that it is being distributed by Sun, and completely free, rather than the
personal version, this is getting serious consideration to replace M$ office.
I've also been told that there is also a Lotus Notes client available for Linux.
This pretty much wraps it up for necessary app's. Netscape is the default
browser, due to I.E.'s failings. The last question that's been asked of me was,
'Can we still use Novell Netware?' I don't fully understand how Novell fits in,
exactly, but it is what we use to log in. I've also provided full information
about Printer support, which was also a concern, but rather pointless, as we use
HP's almost exclusively, and they are all fully supported. If I could explain,
with confidence that, yes, of course you can still use Novell, I just might be
able to convince the powers that allmost-be to set up one Linux box as a
workstation and give it a good trial. First, they could give it to a
UNIX-literate type, until they get all the config's the way they like, then they
could try giving  it to a regular desk jockey and see just how trouble-free it
is when macro-virii no longer cause it to slow to a crawl, and the desk jockey
can no longer keep down-loading multiple screen savers and games that then
refuse to remove themselves cleanly. I don't expect this to happen over night,
but then just last year I was told ' There is absolutely NO WAY a Linux box will
be allowed on our LAN.' Now I am constantly being approached by this same person
asking things like, 'can I get a Lotus client for Linux? How about an office
suite? Will it work with Novell? But it doesn't support most printers, does it?
Can I make it look like WindowsNT so no one will notice it?' I am starting to
think that possibly, in another year or two, Linux will start to replace NT and
95 on the desktops. The last obstacle is the support issue. With Sun, HP, IBM,
Dell and all the rest getting behind Linux, I can't see that standing in the way
much longer. After all, ALL our Desktop PS's are Dell!

If you can provide a URL I can forward that explains using Novell with Linux, it
would be very helpful to the cause.

Cheers,

     John Gay