Blog Entry

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”

I remember in 2004, learning how to create automated custom installations of NetWare using a (not very well known) feature called "Factory Install". This feature combined with Portlock's imaging product made a great solution.

The automated solution worked well, but not too many people knew about it. I had posted one item to Cool Solutions before, but I was hesitant to write up this article as it was out of my comfort zone. I soon got over my personal hangup and wrote the article. I was promptly rewarded with some points by the Cool Solutions team, but then it got even better. The next week I found out from my boss that Dave Kearns, from Network World (formerly Network World Fusion) had published my article in his magazine and gave the solution glowing remarks. He also gave a big endorsement to NetWare for including this feature. I was certainly glad that I had written the article and it showed me the positive effects that occur as we share our knowledge with others.

Recently Novell launched a new community site, "Upgrading to Open Enterprise Server", which includes articles from the community and other resources from Novell to help administrators and partners upgrade from NetWare to Open Enterprise Server 2.

To kick off this new site, we are calling for article and tool submissions related to upgrading or migrating to Open Enterprise Server. From now until October 31st, the first 25 article or tool submissions will receive their normal point allotment from Cool Solutions, plus a $50 Amazon Gift Card, plus and chance to win an iPod Touch. Perhaps the biggest reward of submitting an article is the intangible benefits you will receive from sharing and giving back to the community.

To submit content for this promotion, simply send an email to coolguys@novell.com with "Upgrade to OES Promotion" in your subject line, your article attached, and an address to send the gift card. Articles should typically be 1500 words or more in length. Smaller submissions will not qualify for the $50 Gift Card, but will be entered in the iPod drawing and will receive applicable points. See the attached PDF (slides nine and ten) for details.

If you haven't submitted before, this is a great time to get involved and experience the growth that Ralph Waldo Emerson advocates.