This isn’t going to be a particularly long post because there isn’t a lot more I can say on the passing of Steve Jobs that hasn’t been said everywhere else. To claim that he was a once in a generation mind who has had incalculable impact on the world of technology would be a huge understatement. It is not an exaggeration to say that many of the innovations we’ve seen from other companies in the cell phone, tablet and operating system spaces were born out of a competitive environment that would not be nearly as fierce without his influence. He made a lot of things better and made a lot of people rich while doing so. Anyone who knows me from elsewhere knows I don’t have a lot of love for the man’s attitude or many of the ways Apple does business. I think he and they have brought us ahead in many ways and backwards in others. However, had I the chance to meet the man before today, I would have shaken his hand and told him I was a fan.
The only other thing I can say is that should this post pass in front of the eyes of any of Apple’s 39,000 other employees, never forget that while Steve was the brilliant vision man, you are all the ones who made his visions a reality. He may have been the face of Apple but you all are the heart of it. You can and will continue to do amazing things without him and I think no greater tribute can be made than that.
Rest in peace sir.