Thank You Steve Jobs

I stand in awe to morn the passing of Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple Computer, as a great visionary who changed all our lives for the better.

Being only nine years younger I was the beneficiary of one of his earliest creations the Macintosh computer (1984).  In the spring of 1986 while getting ready to graduate from college I learned how to use the Macintosh in the college computer lab to write my first resume.  It was intuitive and this was way before  “its so easy a caveman can do it.”

Photo via Web Designer Depot

Like it was yesterday I can picture the desk in the lab with this simple unassuming box sitting on it.  Nothing like the IBM and (I forget what) other computers we learned on as part of those required programming classes in which we produced endless amounts of lines of code wasting copious amounts of paper.  Was I drawn to the colorful Apple logo?  Something about it instilled a no-fear attitude as I went about teaching myself how to use it.

There is no doubt the countless other people who had the same experience.  A new age had begun and from that day forward every job I had from the financial industry to design has included a computer.

Photo via Todays iPhone

I was also one of the early iPhone users, only buying it because I needed a new cell phone and I loved the look.  Read more on the evolution of the iPhone here.  “I don’t need the internet and all that other stuff.”  Ha, this mindset quickly evaporated as I found Safari, Maps and Weather infinitely useful.  Of course then I got into the apps and the iPod.

Um, he changed our language too: iPhone, iPod & iMac.  We now can start a name with lower cap letter.  Of course among even the non-tech crowd a new language evolved too.

Can’t remember the last time I listened to a CD?  All our CD’s are now on iTunes.  No more listing to the not-so-great filler songs on an artist’s album – we are in control now.

I even went back day after day before 7 a.m. to achieve my spot in line for the new iPad 2 last spring.  I originally wanted it because it looked cool too.  Hook, line… he got me again.  I love my iPad 2 there are so many things I never did before.  Now I can walk my clients through 3D models of my room designs via Google Sketch-Up.

On September 19, 2011 Forbes offered an interesting article on The Top Ten Lessons Steve Jobs Can Teach Us – If We’ll Listen, it’s not too late.

Photo via Apple Computer

Steve Jobs was a pioneer in computers, technology, business and achieving a global language which ties us together.  It wasn’t about money but creating, an important lesson.  He will be missed by many.  But his presence will be felt for the rest of our days.  My condolences to his family and to those at Apple who will miss his passion on a daily basis.

Thank you Steve, for the allowing us to benefit from your existence.