Today, the computing industry and the world in general lost a visionary. While I am no longer the rabid Apple fanboi I once was, I have reason to believe that this is a direct result of Steve Jobs’ waning influence of late at Apple. Because just about everything ever created under his watch, be it at Apple, Pixar, or NeXT, has been pretty damn revolutionary.
I’ve been using Apple products before I ever even touched my first PC. The Amiga was my first platform, but in first grade, we had Apple IIs and old System 7 Macintoshes. Hell, the first programming I ever did was in LCSI LOGO on said Macs. One day in 5th grade, I noticed that they were throwing out all the old Apple IIs, so I snagged a ROM03 IIgs headed for the dumpster. It remains among some of my most prized pieces of computing history. But this is about Steve.
The story of him leaving Apple to found NeXT, which produced what remains one of the most elegant platforms ever created (and which lives on to this day in OS X and, by extension, iOS), and then returning to save Apple from otherwise sure demise is one of the most inspiring in the industry. Then, to turn that company into the empire it is today is nothing short of impressive.
Say what you will about Apple (I know I’ve said much), his contributions to the field (and dare I say, to humanity) are undeniable. And I take solace in the fact that Apple’s recent actions with regard to being litigious assholes are not consistent with his spirit, at least I hope. True innovators compete in the marketplace, not the courtroom.
Rest in peace, Steve. You will be sorely missed.