Hello all,
I have been out in Provo, Utah for the past few days attending the TTP, Academic Technology Transfer Partners, Mindworks (http://mindworksuk.com/ttp.html). I have to say I am convinced more than ever that NOVELL IS DEAD!
I have been using Novell products since 1992. Novell has long been associated/saddled with its flagship networking platform, Netware. It 'was' the premier platform that everyone was running. To be a CNE, Certified Netware Engineer, was to write your own ticket just about anywhere.
In Spring, 2011, Novell was acquired by Attachmate. Novell brought all of its products to the table, including Netware, Zenworks Configuration Management, GroupWise, and SuSE Linux. Attachmate brought NetIQ and all sorts of other technology products.
I sat through a talk with the new President, Bob Flynn, and all I can say is, "WOW!"
Over the past 10+ years, there has been a lot of leadership changes at Novell. With each new leadership regime, it seems the common theme has been, "We're going to do better, everything is fine, we are not going anywhere, business as usual..." Not this time.
Bob came in and talked with us and shared with us his thoughts, ideas and vision for the future. It was anything but business as usual. He is an honest man with integrity. The kind that can look you in the eye and trust his word. He shared with us that as a company, having pretty much cleaned house, they have an honest perspective of the past failures, know where they currently stand, and have a great vision for the future to do what is right for their customers.
As the next few months will show, I believe it is going to be a complete transformation and invigoration of some of the best technology products in the world. The best thing that can happen to any company that has great products for a great price is for businesses and education to take a close look at what they are doing from a technology standpoint and honestly evaluate the cost value of what is happening. Are we really doing the right thing and getting the best product for the best price? If you honestly evaluate products, Attachmate wins!
No, it is definitely NOT business as usual for Novell. It is DEAD. They have torn down the old, worn out building and and rebuilding a brand new one in its place. It won't look the same, walk the same, talk the same. For the first time in a long time, I am excited to see the transformation of a company right before my eyes. Attachmate is swinging for the fence. With its proven business track record, I am betting on a home run with this one.
Novell is DEAD! The caterpillar is about to become a beautiful butterfly. Just wait and see!
More to come in the next few days.
Tom
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Celebrating our Independence, "...One nation, under God.."
Hello all,
This weekend, here in the United States, we celebrate our independence. It was back in the 1776 time frame that we officially declared to be an independent and self governed people. Or did we?
Many recent events in my life have been causing me to take notice of where we are at as society in the US. Knowing that I have readers from around the world, allow me to share a few things, a few observations I have noticed happening in my world.
When I was younger things were different. Integrity, honor, self discipline, hard work, honesty, trust, and all sorts of traits that we called "character" were lived as a part of every day life. Sure, there were a few bad apples in the bunch, but for the most part people were decent.
When the milk man delivered milk, we knew that he was delivering good milk, and he knew that we'd have the money in the milk shoot when he dropped it off. Everyone did it. Everyone put their money in the milk shoot for the milk man. There wasn't even a key on the milk shoot.
We'd also go to the store and buy everything on credit. There was this place in Random Lake called "Hill's Superette" They would total it all up and they would write down the total on a piece of paper. Typically on Friday my mom and dad would go in and settle up the account. We kids would go in and buy fresh made sandwiches and a soda and put it on the tab. If mom and dad didn't know about it or didn't approve of it, they would pay the bill and deal with us later.
I remember many times when my mom would go to the local gas station and fill up our car and forget to pay for it. They would call us and tell us that mom forgot to pay again. Usually I would have to ride my bike down to the gas station with the money. While I was down there I would buy a burrito with my paper route money.
I also remember one specific transaction that happened with my uncle and another man. They were talking about selling a car. When my uncle sold it, as the man was driving away with it, I asked him how much he got for the car. He said the amount and I asked to see it. He said that he didn't have it and the guy was going to come back on Friday with the money. I asked him how he knew the guy was going to come back and pay. Simple, my uncle said, we looked each other in the eye and shook on it.
The idea of people doing the right thing was just expected. People are going to make mistakes and everyone knows it, but most everyone seemed to want to do the right thing.
So how does this all fit in with Independence day. As we celebrate Independence Day here in the United States, I also believe we are also celebrating Dependence Day. Wars have been fought, people died, lives sacrificed so that we can say:
"I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, UNDER GOD, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
So while we express our independence as a nation, free to be self governed, or founding fathers also had a basis, an over arching framework, from whom our freedom and liberties come and are dependent. God!
Several times recently I have been chastised for bringing up God in public. There is a time for religion and God, but not when you are working or are dealing with people in public or work. Yet every time we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we acknowledge that we are one nation, under God and most people don't think twice about it. (I know veterans do!) Then I realized, that is a problem! My God is all integrity, honor, trust, self discipline, hard work, and love. I have noticed, as we try harder and harder to remove God from everyday life and keep Him only for Sunday mornings, mid week bible studies, and the occasional wedding and funeral, it seems that we are losing all those things we call "character" in everyday life.
I long to see the good old days again. A day where we can leave our doors unlocked, where we can let our kids outside to play and know they are safe, where when we shake someones hand in a transaction there is meaning and integrity behind both people. It is getting to the point where we are going to need a lawyer to buy a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk.
So this July 4th, Independence Day, let us in the United States remember our Dependence now and daily as "...one nation, under GOD!...."
Have a Blessed holiday,
Tom
This weekend, here in the United States, we celebrate our independence. It was back in the 1776 time frame that we officially declared to be an independent and self governed people. Or did we?
Many recent events in my life have been causing me to take notice of where we are at as society in the US. Knowing that I have readers from around the world, allow me to share a few things, a few observations I have noticed happening in my world.
When I was younger things were different. Integrity, honor, self discipline, hard work, honesty, trust, and all sorts of traits that we called "character" were lived as a part of every day life. Sure, there were a few bad apples in the bunch, but for the most part people were decent.
When the milk man delivered milk, we knew that he was delivering good milk, and he knew that we'd have the money in the milk shoot when he dropped it off. Everyone did it. Everyone put their money in the milk shoot for the milk man. There wasn't even a key on the milk shoot.
We'd also go to the store and buy everything on credit. There was this place in Random Lake called "Hill's Superette" They would total it all up and they would write down the total on a piece of paper. Typically on Friday my mom and dad would go in and settle up the account. We kids would go in and buy fresh made sandwiches and a soda and put it on the tab. If mom and dad didn't know about it or didn't approve of it, they would pay the bill and deal with us later.
I remember many times when my mom would go to the local gas station and fill up our car and forget to pay for it. They would call us and tell us that mom forgot to pay again. Usually I would have to ride my bike down to the gas station with the money. While I was down there I would buy a burrito with my paper route money.
I also remember one specific transaction that happened with my uncle and another man. They were talking about selling a car. When my uncle sold it, as the man was driving away with it, I asked him how much he got for the car. He said the amount and I asked to see it. He said that he didn't have it and the guy was going to come back on Friday with the money. I asked him how he knew the guy was going to come back and pay. Simple, my uncle said, we looked each other in the eye and shook on it.
The idea of people doing the right thing was just expected. People are going to make mistakes and everyone knows it, but most everyone seemed to want to do the right thing.
So how does this all fit in with Independence day. As we celebrate Independence Day here in the United States, I also believe we are also celebrating Dependence Day. Wars have been fought, people died, lives sacrificed so that we can say:
"I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, UNDER GOD, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
So while we express our independence as a nation, free to be self governed, or founding fathers also had a basis, an over arching framework, from whom our freedom and liberties come and are dependent. God!
Several times recently I have been chastised for bringing up God in public. There is a time for religion and God, but not when you are working or are dealing with people in public or work. Yet every time we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we acknowledge that we are one nation, under God and most people don't think twice about it. (I know veterans do!) Then I realized, that is a problem! My God is all integrity, honor, trust, self discipline, hard work, and love. I have noticed, as we try harder and harder to remove God from everyday life and keep Him only for Sunday mornings, mid week bible studies, and the occasional wedding and funeral, it seems that we are losing all those things we call "character" in everyday life.
I long to see the good old days again. A day where we can leave our doors unlocked, where we can let our kids outside to play and know they are safe, where when we shake someones hand in a transaction there is meaning and integrity behind both people. It is getting to the point where we are going to need a lawyer to buy a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk.
So this July 4th, Independence Day, let us in the United States remember our Dependence now and daily as "...one nation, under GOD!...."
Have a Blessed holiday,
Tom
Saturday, July 2, 2011
If I were to run a tech business like this! My Sears Auto Center story
Hey All,
I am going to share a bit about my experience with the Sears Auto Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. If ANY tech were to run a business like this, they will be out of business in a short time. Beware of using Sears Auto Center!
Here is the message I sent to Sears,
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you to share about an awful experience that I had at the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Sears automotive center. I am expecting that some sort of investigation be done and that I am compensated for my wasted time and frustration.
On July 1st at 4 pm, I dropped off my 1996 Cadillac Sedan DeVille for a front end alignment, tire rotation and balance, much like I have done for the past 1 1/2 years. I shared with them I had recently put in a few new parts (Shocks, struts, springs and brakes) and am planning to take a trip out to Utah and want to make sure that everything is okay. The steering wheel is off center and it pulls to the left.
I went shopping and to get dinner. I came back at 6:30 and one of the mechanics (Brian) shared with me that they are not able to do the alignment because their machine doesn't work with my style car. I asked if this is the same machine that they had 4 months ago when I got it aligned, he said yes. Then I looked at what he was doing and told him to loosen up the sensor, rotate it 90 degrees and it will work just fine. His response, "Oh yes, that will work". So he told me it would be about another hour so I waiting in the two chair waiting area.
At 7 pm he came to me again and told me that they couldn't do the alignment because they needed a special bolt on the strut in order to adjust it. I asked him if this was the same bolt that I purchased from them in February 2011? He looked on his computer and saw that indeed it was the exact same bolt that they needed to do the adjustment. So, he said, now that they took off all of the alignment stuff, it would be another hour to get it done.
Right about now I am not feeling too confident in the mechanic's ability to do much more than change oil and swap batteries, so I asked to speak to the manager. To ladies came out and I shared the story with them. One was named Kim. She said that she would check into the problem and would make sure everything is okay.
At 8:30 he came to me again and said that they couldn't do the alignment because they needed to cut into the upper fender to adjust something that was out of whack. They showed me on their computer where they needed to cut. I again asked, is this the same cut that was done back in Feb 2011? He again looked at his computer and said, "Oh yes!" But this time he said that he could not get it done before the store would close and that the car was not drivable.
So, I live about 50 miles from this Sears and I am stranded. I kept going back to this particular Sears because I had a friend who was the manager. Jeff Ritt always took very good care of me and I am said for me that he is going, but happy for him. His last day was June 30th. DRAT!
I called a friend who came to rescue me.
The Manager, Kim, said that she would have their best mechanic, Chris, work on it first thing in the morning.
I was tired from doing other things the day before and slept until nearly noon. I was expecting to get a call around 10 am if they were going to start working on it at 8 am.
I finally got a call around noon from a Jake who told me that everything was done but the adjustment to the camber or caster and that they would need to cut out a part in the fender to do the adjustment. New guy! I shared with him the same thing I shared with the past guy, Brian, and he said, "Oh yes, that will work."
At 2 pm I got a call telling me that everything was okay. Phew, right? WRONG.
I get to Sears and share with them that I want to take it for a ride before I pay for it, just to make sure. They told me no problem, if there is anything wrong, you have a 6000 mile warranty and can bring it back to be fixed for free. (question marks going up all over the place.) So I didn't pay yet, and went out to take it for a ride with my friend. Right away I notice that the floor, floor mat, steering wheel, door , arm rest, and seat is COVERED in grease. Not just a little, A LOT! Before I even left I went back into Sears and asked to talk with the Manager again. This time it was Colton. I literally said, "What in the Hell is going on here? My car is covered in grease!" By this time, Brian, the first mechanic that I talked with came over and explained that the other mechanic didn't follow protocol and put down seat covers, floor mats or anything. Pam and Colton agreed to pay to have the car cleaned but what a pain. I now have to take time out to get my filthy car cleaned.
So, I take the car for a ride with my friend. Literally, the words that came out of my mouth were, "WTF!!!!" Now I am pissed, really pissed. Not only does the car pull the the right, but the steering wheel is slanted at about a 45 degrees going straight!
I pulled the car back into Sears and say, "WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING! DON'T YOU HAVE ANY COMPETENT MECHANICS!" By now it is 3 pm ish. They said that they were going to have another guy work on it. Chris never touched the car. They had Brian, the very first mechanic work on it!
At 5:50, Jake called and told me that they will not be able to finish the car today at all and that they would need another day to work on it. GREAT. A THIRD DAY!
At 5:55 I get a call from the store manager, Colton, who shared with me that they just can not get the car into alignment. There might be something up with their machine and I might be better off taking it someplace else to get it fixed.
I arrive at Sears a little after 6 pm to pick up my car. I talk with Jake and Kim and ask them if it is safe to drive. Jake said yes, however that at highway speed it might be a little dangerous because it will pull one way or another, like into oncoming traffic. And it does! Kim apologized and told me that they would cover the cost of cleaning, that I am suppose to submit my bill to them.
Now, I didn't have to pay for the alignment and I wouldn't expect to pay for a job not done.
In 1999, Sears refused to replace a craftsman screwdriver because they said it looked like it was used to pry something open. Yes it was as I just purchase 30 gallons of paint to paint my new house. Since then I have vowed to never purchase any other Craftsman tools. Now, because of this incident, I have lost complete confidence in the Sears Auto Center and don't expect that I will be using their service or purchasing tires or any other product. And while I understand that there was significant turn over in the auto center, I expect that if they say they can do something, they are able to do it! If they don't have adequate staff to do the job, don't do the job!
I have wasted nearly two days of my time trying to get my car fixed, and now, not only do I have to still get my car fixed, but I have to get it cleaned too because someone didn't follow protocol!
I expect to be compensated not only for the cleanings but for my troubles as well. I will also be filing a report to the Better Business Bureau.
You may call me or email me to discuss this issue,
Sincerely,
Tom Hafemann
I am going to share a bit about my experience with the Sears Auto Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. If ANY tech were to run a business like this, they will be out of business in a short time. Beware of using Sears Auto Center!
Here is the message I sent to Sears,
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you to share about an awful experience that I had at the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Sears automotive center. I am expecting that some sort of investigation be done and that I am compensated for my wasted time and frustration.
On July 1st at 4 pm, I dropped off my 1996 Cadillac Sedan DeVille for a front end alignment, tire rotation and balance, much like I have done for the past 1 1/2 years. I shared with them I had recently put in a few new parts (Shocks, struts, springs and brakes) and am planning to take a trip out to Utah and want to make sure that everything is okay. The steering wheel is off center and it pulls to the left.
I went shopping and to get dinner. I came back at 6:30 and one of the mechanics (Brian) shared with me that they are not able to do the alignment because their machine doesn't work with my style car. I asked if this is the same machine that they had 4 months ago when I got it aligned, he said yes. Then I looked at what he was doing and told him to loosen up the sensor, rotate it 90 degrees and it will work just fine. His response, "Oh yes, that will work". So he told me it would be about another hour so I waiting in the two chair waiting area.
At 7 pm he came to me again and told me that they couldn't do the alignment because they needed a special bolt on the strut in order to adjust it. I asked him if this was the same bolt that I purchased from them in February 2011? He looked on his computer and saw that indeed it was the exact same bolt that they needed to do the adjustment. So, he said, now that they took off all of the alignment stuff, it would be another hour to get it done.
Right about now I am not feeling too confident in the mechanic's ability to do much more than change oil and swap batteries, so I asked to speak to the manager. To ladies came out and I shared the story with them. One was named Kim. She said that she would check into the problem and would make sure everything is okay.
At 8:30 he came to me again and said that they couldn't do the alignment because they needed to cut into the upper fender to adjust something that was out of whack. They showed me on their computer where they needed to cut. I again asked, is this the same cut that was done back in Feb 2011? He again looked at his computer and said, "Oh yes!" But this time he said that he could not get it done before the store would close and that the car was not drivable.
So, I live about 50 miles from this Sears and I am stranded. I kept going back to this particular Sears because I had a friend who was the manager. Jeff Ritt always took very good care of me and I am said for me that he is going, but happy for him. His last day was June 30th. DRAT!
I called a friend who came to rescue me.
The Manager, Kim, said that she would have their best mechanic, Chris, work on it first thing in the morning.
I was tired from doing other things the day before and slept until nearly noon. I was expecting to get a call around 10 am if they were going to start working on it at 8 am.
I finally got a call around noon from a Jake who told me that everything was done but the adjustment to the camber or caster and that they would need to cut out a part in the fender to do the adjustment. New guy! I shared with him the same thing I shared with the past guy, Brian, and he said, "Oh yes, that will work."
At 2 pm I got a call telling me that everything was okay. Phew, right? WRONG.
I get to Sears and share with them that I want to take it for a ride before I pay for it, just to make sure. They told me no problem, if there is anything wrong, you have a 6000 mile warranty and can bring it back to be fixed for free. (question marks going up all over the place.) So I didn't pay yet, and went out to take it for a ride with my friend. Right away I notice that the floor, floor mat, steering wheel, door , arm rest, and seat is COVERED in grease. Not just a little, A LOT! Before I even left I went back into Sears and asked to talk with the Manager again. This time it was Colton. I literally said, "What in the Hell is going on here? My car is covered in grease!" By this time, Brian, the first mechanic that I talked with came over and explained that the other mechanic didn't follow protocol and put down seat covers, floor mats or anything. Pam and Colton agreed to pay to have the car cleaned but what a pain. I now have to take time out to get my filthy car cleaned.
So, I take the car for a ride with my friend. Literally, the words that came out of my mouth were, "WTF!!!!" Now I am pissed, really pissed. Not only does the car pull the the right, but the steering wheel is slanted at about a 45 degrees going straight!
I pulled the car back into Sears and say, "WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING! DON'T YOU HAVE ANY COMPETENT MECHANICS!" By now it is 3 pm ish. They said that they were going to have another guy work on it. Chris never touched the car. They had Brian, the very first mechanic work on it!
At 5:50, Jake called and told me that they will not be able to finish the car today at all and that they would need another day to work on it. GREAT. A THIRD DAY!
At 5:55 I get a call from the store manager, Colton, who shared with me that they just can not get the car into alignment. There might be something up with their machine and I might be better off taking it someplace else to get it fixed.
I arrive at Sears a little after 6 pm to pick up my car. I talk with Jake and Kim and ask them if it is safe to drive. Jake said yes, however that at highway speed it might be a little dangerous because it will pull one way or another, like into oncoming traffic. And it does! Kim apologized and told me that they would cover the cost of cleaning, that I am suppose to submit my bill to them.
Now, I didn't have to pay for the alignment and I wouldn't expect to pay for a job not done.
In 1999, Sears refused to replace a craftsman screwdriver because they said it looked like it was used to pry something open. Yes it was as I just purchase 30 gallons of paint to paint my new house. Since then I have vowed to never purchase any other Craftsman tools. Now, because of this incident, I have lost complete confidence in the Sears Auto Center and don't expect that I will be using their service or purchasing tires or any other product. And while I understand that there was significant turn over in the auto center, I expect that if they say they can do something, they are able to do it! If they don't have adequate staff to do the job, don't do the job!
I have wasted nearly two days of my time trying to get my car fixed, and now, not only do I have to still get my car fixed, but I have to get it cleaned too because someone didn't follow protocol!
I expect to be compensated not only for the cleanings but for my troubles as well. I will also be filing a report to the Better Business Bureau.
You may call me or email me to discuss this issue,
Sincerely,
Tom Hafemann
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