Novell adding weapons for the contest with Microsoft: through acquisition it hopes to mesh network and PC operating systems

Article Abstract:

Novell Inc, maker of the Netware network operating system, plans on acquiring Digital Research Inc, a company best known for losing an opportunity to produce an operating system for IBM microcomputers. After Digital turned down the chance to develop the IBM operating system, Microsoft Corp developed MS-DOS, which is now used on 85 percent of the microcomputers in the world. Novell's hopes create an integrated operating system for both networks and personal computers that would make installation and maintenance of applications simple as well as improving information retrieval on the network. Digital Research has produced several technologically interesting software products, including one that many analysts felt was a superior version of DOS called DR DOS. Microsoft has announced plans to develop an improved operating system for its LAN Manager network. The new operating system will incorporate features of Windows 3.0 and MS DOS, Microsoft's most popular software packages.

Software, Product development, Microcomputers, Microsoft Corp., Operating systems (Software), Operating systems, Design and construction, Business planning, MSFT, Work group computing, Workgroup computing, Operating System, Microcomputer, User-Friendliness, Digital Research Inc., Microsoft Windows 3.0 (GUI), DR DOS 5.0 (Operating system)

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Bragging rights aside, what did Lotus and Novell merge?

Article Abstract:

The proposed merger of Lotus Development Corp and Novell Inc will unite companies that dominate their respective fields. Lotus makes the 1-2-3 spreadsheet program and Novell makes the NetWare operating system. These companies would have a combined 1990 revenue of nearly $1.2 billion, which is sufficiently large to rival Microsoft Corp, previously the largest company in the software industry. But it is not clear what this merger will mean to customers. Lotus spreadsheet users will probably not buy Novell network software, and Novell software users will not buy more copies of Lotus software. Beyond providing the bragging rights that go with being very large, it is not clear that the merger will help either company. Stewart Alsop, editor and publisher of The PC Letter, is 'amazed and astonished' that two $500 million companies 'would merge for completely irrelevant reasons.'

Communications Equipment, Lotus Development Corp., LOTS, Computer Software Industry, Acquisition, Merger

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For small businesses, a simpler approach to networking: Novell's Lite provides an affordable and easy way to share data as well as printers

Article Abstract:

Novell Inc's NetWare Lite network operating system offers a simple and inexpensive way to arrange local area network (LAN) connections in small businesses. NetWare Lite is suitable for businesses with two to 25 DOS-based microcomputers and offers peer-to-peer communications. Installation that is simpler than a traditional Novell network; unfamiliar words are defined on-screen and restricted access can be set up and controlled by a menu system. Several companies offer bundled startup programs, such as Xircom Inc, which offers Network Simplicity. An $849 package includes two copies of NetWare Lite as well as hardware and other software to get the LAN running. Eagle Technology offers the $615 Netware Lite Ethernet Starter Kit. Sold separately, NetWare Lite costs $99, which for a limited time includes DR DOS 6.0.

Computer integrated systems design, Evaluation, Product information, Bundled software, Peer-to-Peer Communication, NetWare Lite (Network operating system)

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