Steve Jobs What did he mean to you?

[Turnpike]

I didnt even know who Steve Jobs was until a year ago, when I began seriously looking at the iMacs and then because of his name sounding familiar from that, I started watching his AllThingsDigital visits on Youtube (and then later iTunes when I realized they were there, too). I stumbled across those Youtube postings while watching videos of other influential business leaders (Carl Ichan, Trump, Warren Buffet, others...) for a little inspiration now and then when I needed it.

Even now, after listening to his audiobook (twice, as I've been driving a lot lately) I can see that he was human, and had his flaws, but the level of optimisim, creativity, and resourcefulness he operated with has been a constant inspiriation to me over the last few months.

Just to see the level of perfection he achieved with the products (just the part of the first iPhone launch, where he showed all the cool current "smartphones" and then after he unveieled and demonstrated the iPhone, when they again showed the earlier picture of the other "smartphones", people actually LAUGHED at what they considered an advanced phone just minutes earlier... that was my FAVORITE moment) this all inspires me (I work in product development, but in another field) to aim so much higher than I do, and to think more outside the box, and to assume so much more is possible than I do.

Sure, he was human, sure he made mistakes, but it's fair to say he's become one of the biggest influences in my professional career, the way I approach problems, hurdles, and opportunities. A true mentor, and I never even met him. I'm so glad for the internet, where we can absorb good things from some of the greatest minds of our generation that we wouldn't have otherwise had contact with.

And to think, that's the man and his work and his life- and I'm only now just starting to learn and use the Apple products... I'm sure my appreciation for his work will only grow.

 

[Abstract]

To me? Nothing.

 

[velocityg4]

To me he is the guy that turned Apple around, finally brought multitasking crash resistant OS to the Mac, ruined the Macintosh desktop and told the professionals to take a hike.

I liked it when there was a range of desktops you could buy. Most were highly upgradeable with the CPU, RAM, Expansion cards, &c. Not just an insanely expansive desktop using workstation grade parts yet strangely lacking a workstation GPU.

 

[roadbloc]

Not much. A guy who had great vision in his products. Thats about it.

 

[Shrink]

To me? Nothing.

Not much. A guy who had great vision in his products. Thats about it.

^^^ Got there before me, and said it for me.

I'm not questioning his accomplishments. But aside from owning some products designed and sold by his company - he played no role in my thoughts or my life.

 

[maflynn]

To me, a person who headed a company that produced some fantastic products that I enjoyed using. He seemed to be very caustic and not really a nice person to others. He got results but generally at a cost of friendships or gifted employees leaving the company.

 

[RKO]

Sorry but he meant nothing to me either. I never gave him a thought before, after or during any of my Apple purchases.

 

[maflynn]

I failed to add while he was the head of the company and a visionary he also did not mean anything to me, but the opposite as I intimated, he had personality traits that were not very uplifting and positive

 

[*LTD*]

The guy who actually gave a damn about what his company put its name to.

 

[Mr. McMac]

nothing at all

 

[Shrink]

The guy who actually gave a damn what his company put its name to.

Serious question (not just one of my snotty comments).

Your response does not address the question "Steve Jobs - what did he mean to you?". As a great admirer of all things Apple - what did Jobs himself mean to you personally?

 

[G4er?]

He meant that the computer I really want (xMac) wasn't going to happen.

 

[ericrwalker]

A nerdy business man who had 300 pairs of the same jeans, shirts and shoes who died of cancer recently. R.I.P.

 

[*LTD*]

Serious question (not just one of my snotty comments).

Your response does not address the question "Steve Jobs - what did he mean to you?". As a great admirer of all things Apple - what did Jobs himself mean to you personally?

What do you mean by "personally"? The response I gave was uniquely "personal" to me.

Beyond using Apple products and admiring his philosophy about tech and his amazing drive and energy, I didn't know the man, I didn't ever speak to him, and I had nothing at all to do with him. Although I'm prepared to give him plenty of credit, I usually didn't give him a second thought outside of these discussions.

It's sad that he passed away, but that is the nature of things.

 

[lovish]

I didnt even know who Steve Jobs was until a year ago, when I began seriously looking at the iMacs and then because of his name sounding familiar from that, I started watching his AllThingsDigital visits on Youtube (and then later iTunes when I realized they were there, too). I stumbled across those Youtube postings while watching videos of other influential business leaders (Carl Ichan, Trump, Warren Buffet, others...) for a little inspiration now and then when I needed it.

Even now, after listening to his audiobook (twice, as I've been driving a lot lately) I can see that he was human, and had his flaws, but the level of optimisim, creativity, and resourcefulness he operated with has been a constant inspiriation to me over the last few months.

Just to see the level of perfection he achieved with the products (just the part of the first iPhone launch, where he showed all the cool current "smartphones" and then after he unveieled and demonstrated the iPhone, when they again showed the earlier picture of the other "smartphones", people actually LAUGHED at what they considered an advanced phone just minutes earlier... that was my FAVORITE moment) this all inspires me (I work in product development, but in another field) to aim so much higher than I do, and to think more outside the box, and to assume so much more is possible than I do.

Sure, he was human, sure he made mistakes, but it's fair to say he's become one of the biggest influences in my professional career, the way I approach problems, hurdles, and opportunities. A true mentor, and I never even met him. I'm so glad for the internet, where we can absorb good things from some of the greatest minds of our generation that we wouldn't have otherwise had contact with.

And to think, that's the man and his work and his life- and I'm only now just starting to learn and use the Apple products... I'm sure my appreciation for his work will only grow.

Awesomely written dude

Love is eternal - Albus dumbledore

 

[0000757]

He was a famous person. His death affected me in no way. Sure it was sad and I thought "Oh, man, that stinks". But it he has never influenced my life, so I don't really care that much. I know It's harsh, but he's a person i've never met and never really cared about. If he was a family friend or I had known him well, then yes i would be affected.

 

[Shrink]

What do you mean by "personally"? The response I gave was uniquely "personal" to me.

Beyond using Apple products and admiring his philosophy about tech and his amazing drive and energy, I didn't know the man, I didn't ever speak to him, and I had nothing at all to do with him. Although I'm prepared to give him plenty of credit, I usually didn't give him a second thought outside of these discussions.

It's sad that he passed away, but that is the nature of things.

By "personally" I meant; from someone's personal standpoint, to my way of thinking, to my mind, in my estimation. I didn't realize the question was unclear.

Your respond was, as always, uniquely personal.

 

[AppleScruff1]

To me personally, nothing. As a visionary/entrepreneur, one of the best in modern times.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Not much. A guy who had great vision in his products. Thats about it.

Agreed. I didn't know him personally, so while it is sad he died so young he didn't mean anything to me.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever.. and you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for SJ.

 

[Bonch]

Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever.. and you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for SJ.

Well said. I still tear up when I see his picture. I'll start balling if I watch an old keynote. Even the word "boom" puts a lump in my throat. Or if someone says "otomatically" instead of automatically.

 

[Shrink]

Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever.. and you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for SJ.

Well said. I still tear up when I see his picture. I'll start balling if I watch an old keynote. Even the word "boom" puts a lump in my throat. Or if someone says "otomatically" instead of automatically.

I can't imagine how you would feel if you actually had met the guy. Once...

 

[kdarling]

Sure, he was human, sure he made mistakes, but it's fair to say he's become one of the biggest influences in my professional career, the way I approach problems, hurdles, and opportunities.

I'm curious (and a bit worried) as to what part of him has become such a huge influence on you.

His approach to employees? To customers? To competitors? To his friends or family?

 

[*LTD*]

I'm curious (and worried - grin) as to what part of him has become such a huge influence on you.

His approach to employees? To customers? To competitors? To his friends or family?

Probably the approach that turned Apple into the most valuable company in the world with products that arent just great in their own right, but are cultural icons.

Just a shot in the dark...

What the hell do friends and family have to do with this??

This is about vision, drive, attention to detail, respect for the integrity of your product, becoming a student in human (and market) behaviour, confidence, public speaking skills, the ability to "say no to a thousand things", understanding when to use secrecy and when to be forthcoming, etc.

And yes, knowing when to be an a**hole, knowing how to get the best out of your team, knowing when to push away and when to pull closer, knowing whom to fire like its going out of style and knowing whom to keep like they're made of gold . . . these too, are skills. The Art of Management. The prudent and successful exercise of power. There is no ship that is run tighter, leaner and cleaner than Apple. That too, came down to Steve Jobs' style, and especially what he looked for in leaders to help steer the company.

 

[James L]

Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever.. and you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for SJ.

And for myself I see a man who lied about the existence of his own daughter and became rich while ignoring his responsibilities to provide for her. Unfortunately dead beat dad trumps business and design genius.

If I was to feel any emotion for the man it would be pity that he couldn't see what mattered in life until far too late.