Steve Jobs - An Appreciation Thread

[DoFoT9]

I'm never one to have a high amount of insight to add to a conversation, or to express my true feelings towards a topic, however I fell that this must be said. After watching todays iPad2 release (with a big smile might I add) and watching the sheer happiness on SJs face - I couldn't help but notice how weak and brittle he currently looks. You can hear it in his voice and see it in his expressions and movements. I decided to go onto Youtube and watch some old keynotes from 2003. The differences are quite astounding and I am saddened by his current physical presence.

This lead to the realisation that he will eventually one day (be it near future or further down the track) move onto the next stage of life. I couldn't help but stop and think for a minute that I was actually distraught by this fact. Steve jobs, the creator of Macintosh, the centre of my technological background and upbringing, the very reason this website even exists (and THE reason why arn isn't slaving away in a medical centre ), everything(!) may come to an abrupt end very shortly.

Anyway, I thought it might be an idea to start a thread to show my appreciation for steve in the hope that it will bring up some positive thoughts from his career at the forefront of IT.

So - if anybody has anything to add regarding this topic such as pictures, memories, videos, or any input please feel free to do so.



DoFoT9

 

[Heilage]

He did look brittle yesterday, he could barely be seen when he turned sideways.


If you ask me, he needs to step down and let someone else take over the ship. Apple will kill that man if he keeps going like this.

 

[sammich]

I couldn't help but notice how slowly Steve was talking during the presentation. Really demonstrates his dedication, but also how he should hand over the reins. He should relegate to a more consulting job. Who knows, with FaceTime, he could much easier communicate with anyone he wishes on work matters.

I would also think that this, healthy yet frail looking Jobs, shows that he isn't ready to give up pursuing his vision with Apple. He could still work less and maintain his presence, while the shareholders/stakeholders are satisfied in knowing that those that are currently holding down the fort are doing a stellar job. This would reduce any 'calamitous' share plunge when it becomes official that he cannot maintain his role as CEO.

I'm personally surprised at how so many news companies reporting that Steve looked very good. In any case, he should remain a face of Apple until the iPhone launch this year and that would make a fitting final keynote for him.

But of course, I'm hoping he does get better, puts on some weight, and gets back to working.

Here's to Steve getting better

 

[roadbloc]

I haven't seen the latest keynote yet, however I do remember back in the early 2000's he'd be jumping around the stage with his bushy beard.

 

[DoFoT9]

He did look brittle yesterday, he could barely be seen when he turned sideways.

you might be right. i wonder how much this ordeal is having on his mental state, though he did seem his usual self today.

I couldn't help but notice how slowly Steve was talking during the presentation. Really demonstrates his dedication, but also how he should hand over the reins. He should relegate to a more consulting job. Who knows, with FaceTime, he could much easier communicate with anyone he wishes on work matters.

heh. yeh he did have long pauses and spoke slowly but clearly. it was almost as if he was sucking up the moment and taking it all in. thats what made me get so...caught up.

I'm personally surprised at how so many news companies reporting that Steve looked very good.

i hadnt seen any pictures from recent weeks, but he looks bad enough now.

In any case, he should remain a face of Apple until the iPhone launch this year and that would make a fitting final keynote for him.

that would make for a spectacular final keynote. have it outside with millions of people in the crowd. would be wonderful.

Here's to Steve getting better

HERE HERE!

I haven't seen the latest keynote yet, however I do remember back in the early 2000's he'd be jumping around the stage with his bushy beard.

HAH! ive not seen that keynote! i watched the 2002 one today (g4 imacs) - i wonder if there is an archive of ALL the apple keynotes. this would make my day if so

 

[Heilage]

you might be right. i wonder how much this ordeal is having on his mental state, though he did seem his usual self today.

His usual self, yes. But also very tired.

 

[DoFoT9]

His usual self, yes. But also very tired.

probably was up all night studying for the keynote

 

[roadbloc]

If anything, now I've watched the keynote, I'd say he looked better than before. If he is frighteningly thin then so am I. He was a little slowing in his words, but if I wasn't aware of his illness I'd just say he was getting old.

 

[mrsir2009]

He did look brittle yesterday, he could barely be seen when he turned sideways.


If you ask me, he needs to step down and let someone else take over the ship. Apple will kill that man if he keeps going like this.

I don't think he'll want to step down until he has to - Apple is his passion.

BTW it seems weird that he's getting old now, as in the 1983 intro of the Macintosh he looked so young, like in his 20s (he probably was )

 

[DoFoT9]

If anything, now I've watched the keynote, I'd say he looked better than before. If he is frighteningly thin then so am I. He was a little slowing in his words, but if I wasn't aware of his illness I'd just say he was getting old.

do you think so? id not really seen any pictures since the last keynote so i thought he was ok

I don't think he'll want to step down until he has to - Apple is his passion.

BTW it seems weird that he's getting old now, as in the 1983 intro of the Macintosh he looked so young, like in his 20s (he probably was )

i thought he was early 30s - so now he is getting close to 60! how time flies...

 

[maflynn]

As walked around the stage, it did not look natural but labored and he while I think he looked a bit better, he didn't look great.

 

[DoFoT9]

As walked around the stage, it did not look natural but labored and he while I think he looked a bit better, he didn't look great.

do you think he will stay as top dog much longer?

 

[ozred]

He has said & done it all.

It's time,

Adieu

 

[mrsir2009]

do you think he will stay as top dog much longer?

He's got a bit left in him I think...

 

[tkermit]

This lead to the realisation that he will eventually one day (be it near future or further down the track) move onto the next stage of life. I couldn't help but stop and think for a minute that I was actually distraught by this fact. Steve jobs, the creator of Macintosh, the centre of my technological background and upbringing, the very reason this website even exists (and THE reason why arn isn't slaving away in a medical centre ), everything(!) may come to an abrupt end very shortly.

To me, Apple exists in the spirit of the people that work there, and the sort of philosophies and purpose by which they go about their business. So if Apple just becomes a place where computers are a commodity item and where the romance is gone, and where people forget that computers are the most incredible invention that man has ever invented, then I’ll feel I have lost Apple. But if I’m a million miles away and all those people still feel those things and they’re still working to make the next great personal computer, then I will feel that my genes are still in there. -- S.Jobs

 

[maflynn]

do you think he will stay as top dog much longer?

He's at a point in his life and career that he can stay at the top of apple as long as he wants. Whether he does that is anyone's guess. I think most people are secretly or not so secretly hoping that he steps down.

His competitors want him to step down, as they see him as the driving force of apple and its spirit.
His friends and family, I'm sure want him to step down because of his health.
His employees want him to step down possibly as they want him to leave on top, and not like one of those athletes that tries one more year *cough* brett favre *cough*
Finally stock holders would want him to step down, should he be unable to run the company as he needs too.

 

[ehoui]

As a shareholder and enthusiast, I want him to be around as long as his health permits him and as long as he wants to. Steve, here's to your health and good spirits. Thank you!

 

[DeepIn2U]

Apple will remain strong - Ideas are a decade ahead

Apple will remain strong.

Like you I was enamoured on Apple in my early life. I'm 37 and in Grade 4 at 8 the first PC I ever touched was not an Apple but a Commodore Pet.

Short story … 4wks of the Pet in a side class before lunch as an experiment by the avante garde teacher (dressed like a slob - but worked hard and was always cool; Mr Biderman). Poor guy didn't know anything about PC's and although we learned some language [line 10 print line 20, line 20 "My name is ..", etc] we were soon enough playing block games. Then came in the Apple IIc

Colour screen, more than 1 sound played simultaneously, BIG 7" screen (I think but better than 4"), etc. My Dad was fortunate enough to have a friend working at the same airport who used an Apple and had another 5 1/4" Floppy. Brought it into class and fun insued. Teacher argued that it was not a 2 sided disk: programs on 1 side - games like Karateka on the other.

a lust ensued and I vowed now matter what i'd own one. regardless of the power of the windows juggernaut & costs I now happily own one. (well I owned a few but very old models by the time I bought them used)

Don't worry … Jobs was a visionary … not just with the world of computers … but with how we use them!

I leave you with the above video hyperlinked and with another … The Navigator - the precursor to the Newton, iPod Touch and the iPad - soon we'll have this: Lion bringing the OSX and iOS fusion together is the hint.

If Apple's engineers, designers and coders have forethought beyond products currently in development I have a feeling we'll see incredible continuence of Apple beyond Jobs' stay.

(I'd love for Lisa Jobs to front Apple if she even has half the vision)

 

[roadbloc]

do you think he will stay as top dog much longer?

I highly doubt Steve has done much at Apple the past five or so years anyway.

 

[mrsir2009]

I highly doubt Steve has done much at Apple the past five or so years anyway.

Yeah, he's done the iPhone, the iPod Touch, the iPad and the UniBody Macs!

 

[fishmoose]

Only thing I thought was different was that he seemed a bit more appreciative against the audience and the other people he brought up on the stage. He really seemed to send the message to the people at Apple that they have done a fine job. My subtile interpretation was almost like a farewell message or a new found appreciation against everyone at Apple.

But yeah, Jobs have had an huge impact on the industry and humankind in general, here's for some more years with Steve!

 

[DoFoT9]

so... steve is gone (more or less)

where to from here apple?

 

[Smileyboy]

I love looooove what he had done for all electronics. He makes other companies rethink products and make them better

 

[DoFoT9]

I love looooove what he had done for all electronics. He makes other companies rethink products and make them better

i agree, a lot of people are not fond of the "Apple Way" - but SJ has made significant contributions to the world of technology. so i applaud him for that

 

[RawBert]

"Stay hungry, stay foolish." - Steve

What an awesome speech and this video has some great pictures, including one of my favorites with Steve and Bill sitting on an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman at his place in Palo Alto in 1991.