Bye, Steve. Thanks for everything!

Last updated on August 31st, 2022 at 10:28 am

Today marks a turning point for me. With the loss of Steve Jobs, the world is a lesser place. His brilliance, vision and charisma changed the world for the better in so many ways.

As anyone who knows me well will tell you, I am a passionate Mac user. I became a believer in 1991 when my then-girlfriend introduced me to her SE-30, “Peanut”, but my history with Apple goes back all the way to 1980. As a Grade 10 student, I landed a job selling Apple computers. We were selling Apple II’s, II+’s, IIe’s and III’s in those days. The Apple II was the first game changer from Apple, delivered in the days when computers were behemoths owned by corporations, and the University of Waterloo’s Red Room was the heart of their computer science program. I remember the launch of the Lisa, and I remember my first experience of a graphical UI on the Lisa we had in the showroom.

I became an EvangeLista in the ’90s, subscribing to the Mac EvangeList published by Guy Kawasaki. Armed with GK’s facts, I went armed into battle with my PC-loving colleagues. I watched in horror as Sculley ousted Steve from Apple, and the company entered a period of mediocrity that nearly ended when Gil Amelio took charge and, in a stroke of visionless leadership, insisted on building the same crappy beige boxes that everyone else was building.

My evangelism never slackened, despite these setbacks, the criticism and doomsaying of friends, family and colleagues. I continued to pick fights with PC users who just didn’t, and couldn’t, “get it.”

My heart soared when Steve returned to Apple, and the launch of the first iMacs in Bondi Blue changed the world. It was the beginning of the revolution I always knew would come. My Bondi Blue Rev B iMac still works and has a safe place in my house as a reminder of what change can look like.

As I write this on my 27″ I5 iMac, I am in awe of what great leadership can do. To say that Steve Jobs inspires me leaves it a little short.

So this year, I’ll add October the 5th to my Mac calendar, next to January 24th, 1985, as a key date in my calendar. I’ll remember and be inspired by Steve’s words and actions as a great leader, businessman, and person. Following his lead, I’ll try to make my life a little simpler and a little clearer, and I’ll say, “Thanks for everything, Steve. We’ll miss you!”.

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Doug Nix – Macintosh Evangelista
[email protected]

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