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Novell announced an extended support policy, new product features and a no-cost, pre-bundled SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server for the next version of Novell GroupWise, due later this year.

“GroupWise is head and shoulders above Microsoft Exchange, and we are very pleased with Novell's ongoing commitment,” said Steve O’Brien, director of IT operations for Jefferson County, Colo. “My peers describe problems with their Exchange e-mail systems that I don't even think about. Because we implemented Linux and open source solutions from Novell, we are able to reduce our hardware costs by 50 percent, software costs by 30 percent and administration cost by 30 percent – all while improving uptime and overall security."

Novell recently announced its long-term plans for GroupWise. The next release, codenamed “Sequoia,” is planned to be released in the summer of 2005, followed by “Aspen” and “Cedar,” targeted for fall 2006 and spring 2008, respectively. Planned enhancements for Sequoia include enhanced client code for Windows*, Macintosh*, Linux* and the Web, support for Microsoft Outlook*, and new SOAP/XML interfaces to support integration of GroupWise with services-oriented application architectures. An additional facet of Novell's long-term commitment to GroupWise is Novell's extension of the support window for GroupWise through 2015.

Novell will also pre-bundle SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server with GroupWise Sequoia at no additional cost. Long known for its security benefits, SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 recently achieved Enterprise Assurance Level 4+ under the Common Criteria for Information Security Evaluation's Controlled Access Protection Profile, also referred to as CAPP/EAL4+. The increased security and reliability of SUSE LINUX enable customers to deploy GroupWise with even more confidence.

View: Novell Press Release
News source: Novell

iPOD’s secret is marketing. iPOD won its first battle in 2002 when it surpassed Creative’s hard-disk based MP3 player which even had a smaller price. The secret weapon? The marketing team behind iPOD managed to promote the idea that iPOD is not just an equipment for playing music, but a whole concept. In December 2002, iPOD launches models that bear the signatures of stars like Madonna, Beck, Tony Hawk and No Doubt. All the celebrities fell in love with the little player, which made a career in video clips, music magazine, even at Oprah’s shows. Where could you get a better marketing?

iPOD’s second secret was Microsoft’s Windows. The first iPOD models launched in October 2001 only worked with Macs and iTunes program which copied CDs and then transferred to iPOD. Apple thought then that this combination will be enough to ensure the player’s success. By July 2002, 150,000 units had been sold. People were not ready to buy a Mac fro the sake o a MP3 player.

In July 2002 realized that and launched Windows compatible models which used as transfer software MusicMatch. In less than two years, iPod sales reached 2 million units. Microsoft found out too late what had happened and HP declared that is too late to think about an alternative and prefers to launch an iPOD version together with Apple. iTunes Music Store and the download revolution owe iPOD their celebrity and not the other way around.