Wishing Steve Jobs well for Mac's 26th anniversary

As my way of celebrating the Mac's 25th birthday last week, I posted my review from 1984 where I referred to Steve Jobs as "Apple's young chairman." Jobs, who personally supervised much of the Mac's development effort, isn't quite so young anymore, but he's just as creative and even more influential.

Jobs' genius is not that he creates cutting-edge technology. Instead, he and others at Apple take advantage of the innovative technology around them by creating products that delight people by their elegance and, in some cases, seeming simplicity.

Apple didn't invent the mouse or the graphical user interface. But it was the first company to put them into an affordable, elegant and easy-to-use computer. Apple's pioneering efforts helped create the demand that Bill Gates took full advantage of by morphing his own operating system from its MS-DOS command-line roots to various versions of Microsoft Windows.

Even though Windows always outsells the Mac, its mass market appeal never translated into the type of user enthusiasm that Apple enjoys. The Mac always seemed to be just a bit more reliable, a little easier to use and a tad sexier. Those "I'm a Mac/I'm a PC" commercials get it kind of right. The PC is functional--the Mac is cool. For what it's worth, when I go to industry events, I notice that a pretty high percentage of the tech industry's movers and shakers carry Macs. Based on what I see at conferences and the product placement I see in TV shows and movies, one would think Apple had closer to 90 percent market share instead of the other way around. And by the way, I'm writing this post on a PC running Vista.

Fast-forward to October 23, 2001, when Jobs introduced the iPod. Again, Apple didn't invent the storage, battery, and compression technology that made the device possible nor was it even the first company to market a digital music player. But once again, it did it in such an elegant way that it defined the genre. The same can be said of the iPhone that revolutionized the smart-phone industry and remains the gold standard by which other smart-phones are judged.

But what about Jobs?
It is sadly ironic that Jobs is on medical leave as we look back on Macs first 25 years. And it's not the first time he stepped away. In 1985, the Apple board of directors forced him to leave the company. After his first departure the company started to lose its luster with a decline in creativity and a dearth of interesting products that lasted until Jobs returned in 1997. If he does leave the company again, he'll be an extremely hard act to follow.

While I hope for his speedy recovery and return to Apple's helm, there is certainly a possibility that he might not be able to return. And if he does, there will be a time--perhaps 25 years from now--when Apple will have to carry on without him.

I hope that Steve Jobs gets to enjoy the 26th anniversary in good health from the CEO office at Apple.

[jaxstephens]

This articles seems to alternate between referring to the Mac's anniversary as the 25th and the 26th, so which is it? (My understanding is 25th--1984 to 2009.)

* Headline: "Wishing Steve Jobs well for Mac's 26th anniversary."

* "As my way of celebrating the Mac's 25th birthday last week. . . ."

* "It is sadly ironic that Jobs is on medical leave as we look back on Macs first 25 years."

* "I hope that Steve Jobs gets to enjoy the 26th anniversary in good health from the CEO office at Apple."

[pj4614]

Nice article but you miss the mark in a few areas. You state: The Mac always seemed to be just a bit more reliable, a little easier to use and a tad sexier.

I switched to the Mac platform two years ago after leaving it 20 years ago. Back then, the old saw was that "no one ever gets fired for buying IBM." Bill Gates made perhaps the best bargain (and IBM the worst blunder) in business history leading to his billions. Even though Apple's Macintosh was a better platform, I wasn't permitted to buy anything but "IBM".

That mentality morphed over the years from "IBM" to "Microsoft". But with Macs now on the same chips, capable of running all software, and running OS X - people are beginning to question that mentality. My personal experience is that Macs are stunningly stable. The Mac is a joy to use with the tool actually enhancing my productivity rather than inhibiting it (which my PC certainly did).

The Mac is significantly more stable. The Mac is significantly easier to use. The Mac is sexy. (PC sexy - are you kidding?) The majority of consumers use Microsoft products because they are forced to, because they don't know better, or because they don't understand the Apple offers a significantly better value.

There are many reasons that people become passionate advocates for Apple after making the switch. If you've read this and wonder why, go visit an Apple store or work on a friend's Mac!

[csminor]

Dear Mr. Jobs,

I have received a lot of emails and news about the 25th anniversary of the MAC. First, I wanted to wish you well in your pending medical issues and that my prayers are with you and your family. Second, you change my life or I would say Apple changed my life. I was one of the first students to receive the MAC 128 at Drexel university. I remember that day as if it was only yesterday. I got my picture taken in the Apple magazine and was interviewed. One of the biggest reasons I chose Drexel at the time was because all incoming freshmen were required to receive a MAC. That year was 1983. Drexel was not sure when they would receive the new computers and we as students we are asked to pick dates. It was more or less like a lottery drawing. I picked Tuesday at 9:00am with my best friend. That was the first day of handing out the new MAC 128. For the last twenty five years I have been working for technology companies. IBM did put a damper on my Apple passion. I have not used a MAC computer since Drexel but that has not damper my passion. I have purchased over the last several years five IPods, Airport N router, Apple TV and the I phone (original version). Innovation, agility and Industrial design are the pillars that make Apple great. It is on my wish list to buy the Mac book pro for myself and my daughter. I can only imagine what it would be like for her in the next twenty-five years.

The reason I am writing this letter to you is that you/Apple kick started my passion for computers and the industry. In addition, I am stuck in Tulsa because of weather calling on one of our clients. I have been a CEO and senior Executive at many technology companies for the last twenty years. I have read and study the rise and fall of many companies. Apple with YOU at the stewardship have brought back Apple to the fore-front of consumers and business. We the introduction of the Air book last year, App store for Iphone and green initiatives. A lot of my senior executive strategy meetings are focused around what is Apple doing and how do we harness the innovation that they bring to the market. Apple has again revolutionized the PC industry and many people?s passion.

Apple keep up the great work and never forget the lessons from the past. Look forward to many more years of great products and people. If your travels ever take you to the wonderful Keystone state of PA please look up the company I work for called InfoLogix. We are working hard to do what you have done for apple in the mobility space.

Warmest Regards,
Scott Minor




C Scott Minor
Vice President of Services & Solutions



InfoLogix, Inc.
101 E. County Line Road
Hatboro, PA 19040
[e-mail]
215.604.0691 x 1111
610-608-4212
www.InfoLogix.com





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[ckurowic]

Mac stands for Macintosh and is not an acronym. As you kept putting it "MAC" is incorrect.

[DumbMacUser1]

Steve Jobs...hmm...is he still around?
If he happens to have croaked, GOOD RIDDANCE to that filthy lying bastard.

[ckurowic]

Wow what a troll. So, apparently CNET forums are not moderated??