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Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs gestures - Source: Reuters -
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Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, died today aged 56.
A college dropout, Buddhist and son of adoptive parents, Jobs started Apple Computer with friend Steve Wozniak in the late 1970s. The company soon introduced the Apple 1 computer.
But it was the Apple II that became a huge success and gave Apple its position as a critical player in the then-nascent PC industry, culminating in a 1980 IPO that made Jobs a multimillionaire.
Despite the subsequent success of the Mac, Jobs' relationship with top management and the board soured. The company removed most of his powers and then in 1985 he was fired.
Apple's fortunes waned after that. However, its purchase of NeXT - the computer company Jobs founded after leaving Apple - in 1997 brought him back into the fold. Later that year, he became interim CEO and in 2000, the company dropped "interim" from his title.
Along the way Jobs also had managed to revolutionise computer animation with his other company, Pixar, but it was the iPhone in 2007 that capped his legacy in the annals of modern technology history.
Two years before the gadget that forever transformed the way people around the world access and use the Internet, Jobs talked about how a sense of his mortality was a major driver behind that vision.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," Jobs said during a Stanford commencement ceremony in 2005.
"Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important."
"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
* What will Steve Jobs most be remembered for? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentkiwi55 said on 2011-10-07 @ 08:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
If it wasn't for Steve Jobs none of us would have computers in our homes and I wouldn't have the skills I now have to be able to communicate with family/friends around NZ and the world and also to contribute to my community with the different voluntary organizations that I'm involved in so well done Steve your name will go down in history as a man with a vision and who succeeded in making that vision a reality and may you rest in peace free from pain and the cares of the world. Liz R
JoTaylorKupu said on 2011-10-06 @ 19:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
I remember watching Steve At Mac World in SF and was in awe ...he captured you ...I then meet with him as I was working for his company and he gave me one of the first iPod..I had no idea what it did !!! We talked about Buddhism and food ... Such a gentle man with a huge heart UNtil next life Steve..safe journeys :)
Daphy_2011 said on 2011-10-06 @ 18:39 NZDT: Report abusive post
RIP Steve everyone will miss you especially the apple fans!! You were inspiring to people!
silverspikes said on 2011-10-06 @ 18:21 NZDT: Report abusive post
My eyes were opened to education when my school's only computer, an Apple IIe was placed in my classroom in 1984. It revolutionised my schooling. When I heard Steve's 2005 Stanford speech I understood why such great products came from such a great man, real, passionate, a leader and learner, a visionary with heart. Today 4yr olds at the kindergarten when I teach, use Steve's Apple Mac products to reach the world giving them authentic learning opportunities. RIP Steve, you changed my world.
Bookmankim said on 2011-10-06 @ 18:21 NZDT: Report abusive post
A visionary, a creative genuis, will be missed by all especially Apple Inc. Will be remembered for the i-technology, imac, ipod, itunes, iphone and ipad others could only follow R.I.P.