Why We Need Steve Jobs | Hacker News Reader

Why We Need Steve Jobs

newsweek.com

21 pointsedw51938 comments

I have to agree with the Article.

Jobs is truly a visionary when it comes to technology. The article is not really clear on why he is unique. Here's my perspective.

Steve Jobs has the unique ability to see where the next big technology opportunity is.

Look at his track record - Apple II, Macintosh GUI, Pixar, iPod and now the iPhone.

Walt Disney is the only other visionary I can think of that could repeat his success - animated cartoons (took advantage of TV's) and theme parks.

I don't consider myself a fan boy just a student of business and technology.

"Apple II, Macintosh GUI, Pixar, iPod and now the iPhone"

Have to admit, that's one hell of a score card.

Gates can take credit (as much credit as Jobs gets for above) for Windows, Office, and XBox. Then I'm sure Thomas Watson gets credited for some insane amount of stuff during his time running IBM.

Any other technology leader deserve to be in the above conversation, in terms of overseeing products with an outsize influence on the industry?

Macintosh GUI was pioneered at Xerox PARC, not at Apple. But Steve was smart enough to see the value in it and bring it into the marketplace with the Lisa. The Lisa flopped, and over in another building there was a team developing Macintosh. Steve got involved and the rest is history.

And the original design for the macintosh was utter trash and it wouldn't have even made the history books. The idea behind it was supposed to be a "toaster with an friendly interface". It would be like doing a $300 netbook, but with 1980s technology. It was going to compete with the Atari, not IBM.

Cut and Paste made the Macintosh. Double-clicking made the Macintosh. Beautiful (for the time) typography defined the Macintosh. The "Start-up" chime. The Fast boot sequence. The abandoning of legacy 5.25" floppies. All of these design decisions were Steve's. And love it or leave it, he made something remarkable and lasting. Something that inspires people to sign on for the "cult of mac".

well I was 15 years old when my dad bought our Mac, the Mac 512k. I thought it was a brilliant design, it easily fit on a desktop, was portable from room to room, it had a gorgeous display (compared to other computers at the time), and it came with a good word processing (MacWrite) app and a fun graphics app (MacPaint). I think making the computer small made it easier to approach for a lot of other people. You know, less intimidating. I've read quite a few books about the Mac, and they had their eyes on IBM, not Atari, as their primary competitor. And I think we have to credit Jef Raskin for a lot of the design decisions, after all, he was the one who started the Macintosh project in the first place, although his original vision for it was more like a netbook than what it eventually became. I still have my Mac Plus at home, sitting in a box, and it still works perfectly as it has since 1989 when I got it before entering university. It's the same form factor as the original Macintosh, and it's a design icon in the computer world.

I would put much of Pixar's success at the feet of John Lasseter.

This article is just utter trash. I usually stay away from "technology reporting" in the "traditional media," and this is a great reason why.

The author is simply a cheerleader for Apple. I was expecting an actual argument as to why Apple "needs Jobs back now." The author even uses the language used to deride Jobs (Dear Leader, etc) but nonetheless succumbs to the propaganda.

As far as this line from the article:

"I would go farther and argue that not only does Apple need Steve Jobs—the world needs him. In an age when the pace of technology innovation keeps accelerating so much that we often feel overwhelmed, we need someone who can package new technology, make it accessible to us, and deliver it to us in a way that makes it simple, useful, and reliable."

I find less cult-like propaganda in Scientology commericals than this drivel.

Also, not to defend Microsoft but to engage in a FUD campaign by stating that their latest beta OS because it supposedly crashed is totally ridiculous and bias does not begin to describe it.

I think to those not already converted (not "switchers," but those converted to the Apple/Steve Jobs cult) this article is just totally laughable.

One would be wise to not take the article at face-value. It is written by Daniel Lyons, famous for his parody of Apple fanaticism in the now-defunct blog Fake Steve Jobs. When Steve took ill, Daniel quit that blog and attempted to start one under his real name, and it was one of the most spectacular flameouts I've ever seen on the web.

The guy can be a great writer at times, but I wouldn't trust him to be genuine.

I was vaguely familiar with that. To me that kind of stuff is basically 4chan jibberish.

The problem with this position, for me, is that all of those kinds of justifications are irrelevant as this is a Newsweek article. As well if this was such a sarcasm or parody, I would expect a little more of it and more wit. Here, it is just "Bad argument... prattle prattle ... Windows 7 crashed ..."

I'm not sure I understand your use of the word 'justification'. (I'm don't know anything about 4chan or what someone there might try to justify.) I was certainly not trying to make apologies for the author by warning you away from the apparent meaning of the text. Quite the opposite: I thought the article had no value whatsoever - but because of the subtext and the context.

It is hyperbole, certainly, but I think the conclusion that Apple needs Jobs is the correct one.

One point Lyons does not make is that the brilliant team that kept the ship running smoothly while he was gone were all recruited personally by Jobs. I've written before that recruiting brilliant people may be Jobs single most important skill. I am sure that Apple will need to continue to recruit brilliant people in the future in order to sustain its current level of success.

The point Lyons makes about all of his contacts, emails, etc. on his new phone before leaving the store should not be underestimated, either. This kind of thing is part of the culture of near-insane attention to detail established by Jobs. Apple comes close to removing the fear of learning, configuring, and migrating to a new piece of technology. There has always been a certain nagging dread of what can go wrong when updating to a new Windows OS. Even if its better than what you have now, the expected pain leads to putting off the purchase. It might be possible to sustain this culture without Jobs, but I and other Apple shareholders don't want to find out.

Lastly, I do not think this is true of only Jobs, but founders in general. I don't think Microsoft is the same company run by Ballmer as it was under Gates. Without Jobs, Apple became the definitive case study of how a company can still lose with superior technology. (I know there are other examples of companies losing what made them successful when the founders left, but I'm drawing a blank on remembering them right now.)

Just a side note. Few companies that are mentioned in Jim Collin's "Built To Last" are examples of companies that are going great even after the founders left. 3M, P&G, Disney, Walmart...

I tend to stay away from tech reporting in the traditional media, too. When I first saw this article I was about to read it, because for a moment I had confused NewsWeek with BusinessWeek. When I saw it was NewsWeek, I figured I'd go to the comments section instead.

I'm not all that sure whether many people really always buy the newest and greatest Apple stuff. Those who really buy the 3GS even if they already own the 3G seem to me to be a rather crazy fringe group. I want to use my MBP for 5+ years. I feel no desire whatsoever to get the latest and greatest. Sure, that's only me, but in the article it's also only Lyons and consequently his claims are not much more than a cute little anectode.

The number is certainly not zero.

I worked alongside a consultant once who was in love with all things Windows. He really knew it well, was on top of all things Windows development, and did a good job developing Windows apps, as far as I could tell (I was the one developing in Java on my Mac).

Every time a new iPod would come out, he would immediately sell the model he had, and buy the new one, without exception (this was pre-iPhone).

If you always want the latest and greatest in terms of consumer electronics, you almost have no choice but to buy each new Apple product. Jobs is a big part of making Apple the must-have brand for the early adopter consumer with an ample wallet.

Anecdotally, I have a 17" Powerbook that I think I bought in 2002. Still fine, although kinda slow. I think about upgrading it from time to time.

As far as maintenance, the contacts for the screen are starting to delaminate 7 years in, I had to have the motherboard replaced after somebody ran into it on a bike (long story), and I replaced the hard drive after it died a few months ago. It's been quite reliable, all told.

yep, I have a first gen iPhone. Works fine. I should expect to get at least 5 years out of it, shouldn't I?

"PC on which I'm running the beta version of Windows 7"

I'm sorry, but it is people like him who give Apple fans a bad name.

It's true though. I've had my Macbook for a few years and my roommate has had his for 5. I can't remember a time when it broke down. On the other hand, my sister has a Dell, my co-worker has a Dell, both of which have lost keys on the keyboard, have weird noises you can't turn off, runs slow as shit, and can't be repaired without an accompanying traumatic experience in customer service.

This wasn't what my comment was about, but I can't resist: sorry, but EVERYBODY I know who has a Mac had problems with it at some point or other. I recently bought a MacBook because of iPhone dev, and sure enough, I'll have to let it serviced because the line out connector is broken. Even though it is within warranty, it will cost me several days without the MacBook just because of a crappy headphone jack. They won't even order the replacement part in advance, so it costs me another day to bring in the MacBook, wait for them to check if it is really broken, then come back a couple of days later when the part has arrived. If that isn't bad service, what is?

I never had problems with any other non-Apple notebook or PC - seriously, not even a crashed hard disk. (Edit: to clarify, I agree that this is all anecdotal evidence, I just wanted to counterpoint the "all non-Macs fail" story)

Also I don't know what Dell customer trauma you are talking about - maybe they should have paid for the next day on location service then? Would still have been cheaper than a Mac Notebook, and more efficient. To be cheap and then complain is idiotic.

Of course they probably bought shitty consumer notebooks from Dell. Rule: always buy from the business line (this goes for all companies). (Note: I despise this practice of offering trashy consumer devices, Apple really scores against the competition in that respect).

It's always anecdotes and random chance when it comes to "X's hardware sucks!"

I've had lots of hardware that failed: HPs, Dells, Seagates, Western Digitals, Apples, and just about everything else. For day-to-day use I still (currently) prefer Apple and OS X... to each their own.

> It's always anecdotes and random chance when it comes to "X's hardware sucks!"

You're right that all companies probably produce bad and good stuff over time. From a business point of view, I think the ability to get a given level of service is much more important. I.e., failure, sooner or later, is a given. How are they going to help you deal with it?

I thought Dell's customer service was excellent:

http://journal.dedasys.com/2007/11/20/and-were-back-in-actio...

For the same price as an Apple, I got an equivalent Dell with the extra service coverage.

I've owned 3 macs and built several PCs and owned several PC laptops.

2 of the three macs were just as buggy as all of the PC laptops I've had, but the desktop dual G4 had MANY more issues than my desktops ever had.

On the laptops, my MBP is 3 weeks old and is running great, I love the thing, but I also have a Dell XPS 1530 and it also runs fantastic (yes, with vista, which isn't horrible at all).

Now, if I had to get the MBP serviced, I'd have to contact apple/take it to a store, wait for parts most likely, wait for the swap, possibly pay for the fix, 2-3 days of my spare time wasted on fixing it.

If my XPS broke (I've had a heat issue and an issue with the CDROM), I get online with dell tech support (@ 7pm after work, while the kids eat dinner), a service requested is filed, and within 2 days someone is on site fixing my laptop, while I work/do my normal routine.

I'm a fan of both Windows and OSX (and linux) all for different reasons, but I'd much rather have to deal with Dell's tech support instead of Apples.

On another note, anything with moving parts like a computer, and critical components like a computer, is prone to problems and breaking, doesn't matter which company you buy from, the chances of it breaking are still there.

Eh, they're not so perfect. I've had RAM go bad, OS's that needed reinstallation, bad hard drives, bad mobos, bad batteries, and for some reason my Late 2008 MBP refuses to sleep and wake properly (need to bring that in actually).

That said, there are definitely fewer constant maintenance tasks that I need to perform for myself and family members, which is the biggest relief.

That and Time Machine. Time Machine is a god send. Time Machine is the single best thing that was ever added to Macs.

The initial (summer 2006) run of Intel Core macbooks was pretty bad. Everyone I knew at the office where I worked at the time bought one. Within a month each and every one of those Macs was in the shop, or behind the Genius Bar or whatever.

I bought a Compaq. Hasn't given me trouble for three years.

I've got my eye on the unibody case MacBooks with stylish TI-99/4A black-on-brushed-metal color scheme. I hear they're hella well built.

Having owned a summer 2006 Intel Core MacBook (in the shop 1 for heat, and 2 times for bad 3rd party RAM I got from RAMjet.com that Apple's Hardware Diagnostics gave a thumbs up on) and a Unibody MacBook Pro 17" inch, I can tell you the build quality of the unibody is amazing compared to the first intel MBPs. I rest my hand on the Core MBP and I compress a fan. My DVD drive is loud as all hell. The unibody is silent and solid.

If he's never had OS X crash, then he's never put it to sleep and woke it up enough. Mine machine will hang on shut downs if I don't reboot it once a week.

More like Mr. Lyons needs filler material. Now.

Dan (Can I call you Dan? Maybe you prefer faux-Steve?) Please don't come back until you can bring some actual insight to the table.

Next.

How is a beta of Windows 7 expected to be as reliable as a released version of OS X?

I'm a Mac user, and I much prefer OS X to Windows (XP/Vista), but, come on, what a weak anecdote!

anecdotes like these are always kinda painful to read... even a lot of comments it seems on here tend towards them however.

  "I hate microsoft.  The other day I tried windows 7, it 
  sucked and I know a lot of people who had problems too."

these irrational fanboys (of all types) need to die in a fire. (bye karma points, it was worth it)

I don't know what he is doing wrong but Windows 7 is extremely solid.

Apple kool-aid at its best.

No doubt.

I saw "Daniel Lyons" under the title and the first thing that came to mind after seeing that and the title was "Why's that? So you can start writing FSJ blog posts again?"

... I then read the article and I suspect I wasn't far off the mark.

FSJ did, in fact, start posting again last week.

"FSJ did, in fact, start posting again last week."

I rest my case then...

I do think the article was a bit much.

At the same time, I notice that during Steve Jobs's absence, the iphone mostly just treaded water, making only fairly incremental improvements to the same basic functionality. A few more years of this and Apple will lose its edge. So Apple certainly needs Steve Jobs, or someone else to fill his role, even if the rest of us don't.

This naive view that only the leaders, not the people that design and create the products, is the kind of stunted thinking that led us into this recession.

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