Interest in old Novell Software?

[bengalih]

I'm purging all my physical disks. About 30 years ago I was, among other things, a CNE/CNI and I just ripped my collection of about 50+ CDs/DVDs from my subscription to the Software Connection Library and Novell Instructor resources.

I didn't want to throw them away without making copies, but not sure who might be interested in them or a safe place to put them online.

I still have to finish labeling everything properly, but if there is any interest or advice where these can go - let me know!

 

[krebizfan]

Are any of them very early editions from the 80s? I know of some that were looking for copies of Netware before version 2.

 

[fjalvingh]

Perhaps put them on Bitsavers too?

 

[pdevine]

In addition to Bitsavers, you can upload them to the internet archive software library. https://help.archive.org/help/uploading-a-basic-guide/. There's also https://winworldpc.com/home but I'm not sure how you upload there.

 

[bengalih]

Are any of them very early editions from the 80s? I know of some that were looking for copies of Netware before version 2.

Sorry, no. I think the earliest versions are probably 3.11. The software itself much of is probably out there, I think some of the instructional material is a bit more rare.

Perhaps put them on Bitsavers too?

I was told this by someone else and looked on the site. I couldn't see anywhere to upload nor did it look like they had any Novell stuff. The site looks more like an archive of one person's collection.

In addition to Bitsavers, you can upload them to the internet archive software library. https://help.archive.org/help/uploading-a-basic-guide/. There's also https://winworldpc.com/home but I'm not sure how you upload there.

I'm a little wary of uploading the to Archive.org, especially under my account, as I am unsure if any of this stuff is still considered copyrighted (aka not Abandonware).

 

[davidrg]

Copies of NSEpro/Support Connection are worthwhile uploading somewhere. Their content varies from issue to issue, and many have not been archived. I've made a list of what I could find online here: https://www.zx.net.nz/netware/nsepro.shtml

 

[bengalih]

Copies of NSEpro/Support Connection are worthwhile uploading somewhere. Their content varies from issue to issue, and many have not been archived. I've made a list of what I could find online here: https://www.zx.net.nz/netware/nsepro.shtml

Ah, that's great so you've actually been cataloging them. This is just a directory listing of the files I have for now.
I have ripped them all to BIN/CUE and then rared them with recovery info. Each directory has an INDEX file which lists the discs, and in most directories the contents of each drive.
The exception is for "Novell CNE Product Link Release 12" and " Novell Software Evaluation Library Release 14" as the PDFs I scanned contain listings of what is on each disk.
I've named these all best I can based on Disc titles, dates (when given), etc, but if there is a better nomenclature to use, I'm all ears.
I also have a few license floppies for 5.1, including 2x Server +5 connection, and one 500 connections. Some of the CDs have license creation utilities as well, but TBH I don't recall what the generate in terms of connections. Unfortunately, I lost access to my floppy drive on my older server last time I moved a new MoBo into it which didn't have a connection for a floppy.

Let me know if you want more info, or have some guidance.

W:.
├───CNE Product Link
│ └───Release 12 - 1999
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │ Novell CNE Product Link Release 12.pdf
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ BMEE35_DES.rar
│ BRCHMGR.rar
│ CD_11.rar
│ CD_12.rar
│ CD_1_CPL.rar
│ CD_2_BETA.rar
│ CD_5.rar
│ GROUPWISE.rar
│ NDK_DTK_1.rar
│ NDK_SDK_1.rar
│ NETWARE5.rar
│ NIAS41.rar
│ NSBS5.rar
│ NSBSGW551.rar
│ NW42.rar
│ NW42_DOC.rar
│ NW5_DOC.rar
│ O8NW8042.rar
│ Zen2_990618.rar
│
├───CNI Resources
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ 0350-IG_101.rar
│ 0555_102.rar
│ 0991_100.rar
│ 1106_CD.rar
│ 580_100.CD.rar
│ 910_100.rar
│ CNI.rar
│ CNI_DVD2B.rar
│ CNI_DVD_1A.rar
│ CNI_DVD_1B.rar
│ CNI_DVD_2A.rar
│ NW5_INST.rar
│ OpenLinux 2.3 CD.rar
│
├───Linux Technical Resource Kit
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │ Linux Technical Resource Kit.pdf
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ LinuxKit_DVD1.1A.rar
│ LinuxKit_DVD1.rar
│ SU910.rar
│
├───Misc Software
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ BS2003_GW6.rar
│ BS2003_ZEN.rar
│ NETWARE5.rar
│ NW411.rar
│ NW411DOC.rar
│ NW51.rar
│ NW51_CLT.rar
│ NW5_CLNT.rar
│ NW5_DOC.rar
│ ZEN_980501.rar
│
├───NetWare 6 Demonstration Kit
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │ Novell NetWare 6 Demonstration Kit.pdf
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ NETWARE6.rar
│ NW6DA1.rar
│
├───NetWare 6.5 Evaluation Kit
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │ NetWare 6.5 Evaluation Kit.pdf
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ BRANCH_OFFICE_1.rar
│ DirXML_Str_Pack.rar
│ Novell_Partners.rar
│ NW65DA2-v2.rar
│ NW65OS.rar
│ NW65PROD.rar
│
├───Software Connection Library
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ NSCLCD1.rar
│
└───Software Evaluation Library
├───June 2000
│ │ INDEX.TXT
│ │
│ └───Discs
│ NW51SP1_CLT.rar
│ SEL15CD6B.rar
│
└───Release 13 - July 1999
│ INDEX.TXT
│ Novell Software Evaluation Library Release 14.pdf
│
└───Discs
BMEE35EPFGS_DES.rar
BRCHMGR.rar
CD12.rar
CD15.rar
CD_5.rar
GW551.rar
IBM WebSphere To.rar
NSBS5.rar
NSBS5GW55.rar
NW51.rar
NW51_CLT.rar
NW51_DOC.rar
O8ICLNT.rar
O8INW.rar
SEL14CD1.rar
SEL14CD11.rar
SEL14CD2.rar
Zen2_990713.rar

 

[Svenska]

Also, physical floppy disks are no longer produced and disks made towards the end of their time are prone to failure. Some people are interested in working disks even if they don't care about the software.

 

[bengalih]

Also, physical floppy disks are no longer produced and disks made towards the end of their time are prone to failure. Some people are interested in working disks even if they don't care about the software.

Note sure what you are trying to say here. Clearly all physical media degrades over time. Luckily all but one of my CDs/DVDs in this collection were free from errors. The one that had some errors had some duplicated files and I was able to recreate it. I cannot test the floppies as I don't currently have a drive.
I don't know why anyone would be interested in the working disks if they don't care about the software on them. It isn't like you can't still buy floppy disks if you wanted them for some reason. If I'm not getting what you're on about, please clarify!

 

[Svenska]

Commercial floppy disks were built to a higher quality standard, and they are more likely to still work. Towards the end of the disks, a lot of low-quality trash was produced where 2-3 disks in a 10-pack didn't even survive the first formatting even when new. Age didn't make them any better.

What I'm saying is: Don't just throw the disks away, try to find someone who can use them, even if they are not interested in Novell. Floppies are limited supply now.