In Memoriam: Steven Paul Jobs (1955 - 2011)

Technorati tags: Obituary, Steve Jobs, Apple

There’s probably not a lot that Walski can add to what’s already been said today about Steve Jobs, across just about all mediums of communication.

What greets visitors to www.apple.com...

Where others chose the path of evolution, Steve Jobs revolutionized. The iPod, iPhone and the iPad will remain the man’s most lasting legacies for that very reason – these three devices not only revolutionized three different industries, but together, revolutionized how we interact with one another.

A quote by Jobs, part of his keynote speech at Macworld 2007, perhaps explains this to some degree:

There's an old Wayne Gretsky quote I love: "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it's been." That's what we try to do at Apple.
(source: Engadget.com)

And let’s not forget Pixar, the company Jobs acquired in the mid-80s (and later sold to Disney), which now sets the benchmark for excellence in animation.

It’s one thing to be visionary. But being visionary, and having the ability to take your vision through to fruition is another thing altogether. And it is that very ability that Walski will remember and admire Steve Jobs for.

Indeed, the world has just lost someone truly great... 
(the man, the vision, and more, in the full post)

As Walski said at the onset, there’s not much that he can possibly add that hasn’t already been said about the man.

By now, we all know of Steve Jobs’ humble beginnings, his career, his successes, and even his failures. He built Apple, was ousted from the company, and later returned to take the company to the pinnacle it’s at today. We also know that along the way, Jobs was at one time dubbed one Silicon Valley’s leading egomaniacs (source: CNN Money). The man was many things, good and bad, but it is probably the good and the visionary that he’ll best be remembered for.

Yesterday, Walski came across this YouTube video, the audio of which was played on the BFM 89.9’s Breakfast Grill morning segment. It gives us a little insight into the man that Steve Jobs was, and Walski thought it apt that he share it with you here.

Whether you’re a Windows die-hard who loathes everything Apple, or someone who swears by their BlackBerry, or even someone who thinks that only vinyl makes your musical day, you’d have to admit that the last 5 years or so have been a half-decade of Apple innovation excitement.

Walski happens to be one of those who’s transcended the strict dichotomy of device preference (he uses Windows, BB and iPad every day), and therefore sees the passing of Steve Jobs as a big loss. He’s not quite iSad (as his friend @blurdevil put it), and Walski’s certain that Apple will continue to trailblaze the world of tech as best as they can under new leadership.

Meanwhile, Walski extends the family of Steve Jobs his personal condolences at this time of grief... we share your loss, and hope that you stay strong. Rest assured that Steve will always be remembered fondly.

Finally, a fitting cartoon tribute to the man (from Pailheads, on Facebook):

R.I.P. Steve... and thanks for everything that you’ve given us.