Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

I feel a little strange writing this blog today. I am surrounded by Apple computer equipment. This blog is written every day on a big, honking, Powermac that can still blow the doors off of many new computers available today. Within my reach is a 21 inch Intel based Imac. The airwaves around me are saturated by the RF signal of an Apple Airport Wifi Network. There is an Ipod Touch in my pocket, an Apple TV in our Great Room, and a new Iphone in the very near future. I have personally owned at least one, usually several, Apple Computers since the first Apple Macintosh was released in 1984. I cannot even begin to tell you how many miles around the world I travelled with an Apple notebook in a bag slung on my shoulder. I used at work Apple II's and what was essentially the Macintosh prototype, the Lisa, before most people knew what a personal computer was. For over 30 years products from Apple have been integrated into my life. When I think about it in absolute terms, that's longer than most personal relationships I have had with the exception of my family and a few very close friends.

So when I heard the news flash last night, a story that we all unfortunately knew was coming, that Steve Jobs had departed this earth, I was instantly sad. His passing did not hit me with the same shock as when my mother picked me up at school, as a fifth grader, one November day in 1963 crying about the death of a president. The message was not visually shocking like seeing the Challenger blow up in 1986, or seeing the Trade Center buildings fall on 2001. Unlike those events, those of us who follow the computer industry knew it was only a matter of time before last nights news flash would occur. But it still made me sad all the same.

I can't quite place the feeling. I had no actual "personal" connection to Steve. Our paths crossed several times in the early 80's at geeky events like the BCS and at industry confabs out west. He was always a legendary presenter, and if you were at a conference where he had something to say, you wanted to be in the audience. Since starting the inn, I had emailed Mr. Jobs at Apple on several occasions. One concerned the failures of a vendor to support a software product on our Apple System. Another time concerned the unavailability of the original Iphone in Vermont, because ATT did not offer originating service in the Green Mountain State. Both times I got a short and polite response. They probably came from an Apple functionary, but it was clear that whoever wrote the response was taking the matter to heart and speaking for Steve. The problems have long since been resolved by the way.

But it is time.... The legacy of Mr. Jobs is assured. He changed the world...no he changed MY world! And for that he has my heartfelt respect. Godspeed Steve Jobs. I hope that when you left this world yesterday, that the sky around you was Bondi Blue.....

The weather forecast for the upcoming Columbus Day Weekend looks nice and sunny. Fall colors in Killington will be at their peak. We at the Birch Ridge Inn look forward to greeting you when you visit.