How Viable is a MacOS-to-NetWare Connection?

Otto-matic asks: "I work for the State of Montana. My Art Department more than likely comprises the entire Mac userbase in the Montana State Government (3 users). The state network is run on Novell Netware using Microsoft Exchange Servers over Ethernet. I started here 1 year ago, and the first dreadful thing I noticed was that the Macs were the only machines not connected to the state network. Instead, this department has one Wintel machine we SHARE for network and internet access. I talked to our IT folks about this situation and was assured that the state was vehemently opposed to the Macs being allowed onto the state network. I asked why, and was told a number of varying stories. Some of which include Appleshare being too 'chatty' over the network; MacOS being unstable, easily hacked, etc.; problems with Macs communicating over non-Mac networks. I'm getting the feeling that the truth is that these guys have something personal against the MacOS, and are unwilling to even allow consideration of its inclusion into the network." Is there anything to the fears of the submittor's IT department? Or is this just a bunch of hot air?

"My contrary explanations in defense of the MacOS have been largely ignored. What I am attempting, now, is to accumulate a collection of corroborating evidence that proves the Macintosh functions safely, securely and relatively unnoticeably on virtually any network. Specifically Novell Netware.

Could anyone here provide technical info to support this claim, provide links to technical and non-technical articles supporting this, or point me to individuals or publications which could help?"