To me Apple II was a high fashion well build personal computer. As an engineer I recognized very well implemented engineering solutions and as a costumer I liked industrial styling and the way it could be handled. Really good flag ship by Jobs.
For me, the Apple II was probably the first computer I had ever seen. It was certainly the computer I first learned how to use. There's a picture of me at age 3 or 4, happily sitting in front of an Apple II and playing Pac-Man. I played a variety of Apple II educational software (because at the times I just thought of them as games) and did my first programming on that machine as well.
I still feel slightly sad that we sold that Apple II at a garage sale in the late-80's/early 90's. I believe it would still work; that Apple II was one of the most reliable machines I've ever used.
Certainly, to me, the Apple II was the Steve Jobs product that impacted my life the most dramatically. I'm not really sure what my life would be like if I wasn't introduced to computing at such a young age. I very much doubt I would have taken the same career path.
And to any other Apple II fans out there, I suggest taking a look at the variety of emulators available and reliving the magic!
I think Steve wrote a history, and the next generation will meet him in the books about IT or in books with the topic "how to be successful." One of the things we must have in mind is that out-there is a "evil" disease and it is waiting in the corner. Furthermore, I want to mention that there are a lot of young people like Steve give them an opportunity.
To be accurate, the Apple II was not Steve Jobs' creation but Woz'. Steve Jobs was merely a showman for the Apple II. The 1st Apple product credited as a true Steve Jobs' baby was MacIntosh. The detailed Steve Jobs bio can be downloaded in PDF here: http://allaboutstevejobs.com/bio/Steve_Jobs_Bio.pdf or HTML version: http://www.allaboutstevejobs.com/bio/long/01.html
I was in High School when I received my Apple II+ in 1982 - eventually it was fitted with an 80-column card, Keytronic keyboard, extra Language Card (bankswitched 16K), Pascal and ... DOS.
Steve Jobs, however, was as usual a bit ahead of his time when it came to HOW to operate the machine. Like he would years later with the NeXT that an advanced operating system that required too much expensive resource, he attempted to convert the masses to ProDOS, the first advanced Microcomputer file system (that I knew of) that had real long file names and dynamic directories, and other advanced concepts. It was very cool, but resource hungry and so never became as popular as it should have.
I have 3 children, the youngest will be 15 in December. He was dignosed with a Learning problem at age 3 and later the school system diagnosed him with Autism (although I have never agreed with this diagnosis). He has been in school since age 3, including many summers. He still has great diffiuculty with reading and comprehension despite many efforts to find the right resources to assist him in succeeding academically. I have a daughter who is 16 and a creative writer. I have an adult son, age 23 from a previous marriage who is really sweet and a great brother. I had purchased about 4-5 Apple computers in a short period of time for myself and the children, except Ryan the oldest who was used to using Microsoft and Dell Products. Anyway, the products created by Apple have helped my family immensly-allowing us to create, learn and communicate with one another. The technology is an absolute must for my son. When I was able to sit side by side with him with his laptop he was able to achiieve the most. He has had some excellent Tutors in the past, which helped him achieve and advance several years within months. My daughter and I enjoyed spending time together playing games like SIMMS and Ployvore, photoshop. The children and I have been separated for the past year due to a divorce and house fire, however the technology allows us to maintain some contact. I remember buying Michael, the youngest his 1st generation Classic ipod with video. An interest in music is something we have all shared and connected with. I enjoy talking to my youngest son about technology and using Apple as an exapmle of a good (great) company in relation to his studies in History. I've always had great experiences in the Apple retail stores, learning the various software programs and revising my sons lessons into audio visual formats which he could better understand. I bought him an ipad as well-he was diagnosed with dysgraphia at Kennedy, difficult to read his writing-however the school has not permitted him to use this technology in the classroom. I love itunesUniversity and podcasting as well. I think Steve Jobs is very inspiring and I enjoyed reading his biography. His contributions are immesearuable.
"They looked as if they had been designed by engineers."
Just to add to this line, Apple's products seem as if they have been designed by artists. The product design, interface and usability clearly stand out and this is what makes them great products to use. Steve Jobs was certainly a genius who knew exactly what people wanted.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
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Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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