Steven Joniak – the Blog

So this evening I finally watched the full Pirates of Silicon Valley movie (download FREE on Google Video – clickie!).

Ok, so first this movie is like nearly 8 years old and not entirely an accurate depiction of what happened between a young Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, but from the articles I read and first hand stories I heard from people who worked with Steve Jobs (during my stint in San Jose in ‘02) the overall sentiment and feel for how things went down during the late 70’s and 80’s is pretty well depicted in this movie. You do get a sense of the vast differences between the ‘visionary artist’ personailty of Steve Jobs and the ‘ruthless capitalist’ of Bill Gates and earn a glimpse into how it all utlimately led to the place where both companies stand today. The qutote that seems to set the tone for the movie, and still rings true today, is one from Picasso:

Good artistis copy, great artists steal.

One thing that really crashes my hard drive are the people I continually read online who ‘think’ they know how it all went down and continually get it wrong – so here is my simplest explanation of how the computer world came to be as we know it today:

Xerox invented and created the graphic user interface, the mouse, ethernet, basically everything you are using right now, whether Mac or PC, you owe thanks to engineers at Xerox for developing the basics of the computer experience as we know it today. Their Executives unfortunately didn’t see the potential, invited Jobs and his team to scope out their labs and research and then basically gave Apple the intellectual know how at the time to build out what would become the world’s first graphic user interface for a personal computer.

Apple built the first commercially available user interface and personal computer in the world with the Lisa and more notably the Macintosh based primarily on their meeting with Xerox engineers. Steve Jobs had the foresight and vision to truly see what how much a world changing device the personal computer could be for everyone to use and are credited for giving the world the mouse and point and click desktop metaphor interface we all are familiar with today whether it be Mac, PC, or Linux.

Microsoft saw the commercial potential of selling a licensed software operating system to hardware manufacturers. They were not concerned so much of the ‘vision’ like Steve Jobs & Apple as they were in capitalizing on the overall idea of making people believe that they needed their DOS and Windows system and then selling them on their software which wasn’t the best but simply worked ‘good enough’. Bill Gates was smart in realizing the potential was not in the quality but in the consumers want for the quantity which enabled Microsoft to make billions of dollars to date.

But what is truly interesting is to see the modern 2007 juxtapostion of fortunes between the companies and how the overall perception of fortune, quality and coolness has turned the table to a certain degree. Microsoft is still by far the dominant player in the PC business, but Apple has forged incredibly aggressively into a powerhouse in music and media – an area which Microsoft continues to struggle to gain mindshare never mind market share – hello Zune? Hardly a blip on the radar of the music world.

The Mac OS X level of sophisticated quality and attention to detail also stands up well against the Windows XP and Vista OS systems to the point of causing a number of Windows only pundits to drop their Microsoft only stance and turn to Mac! Macs & iPods are increasingly cool to both consumers and business people. Macs run OS X AND Windows. The press and people in general are highly anticipating the new Apple iPhone. Everyone is literally hanging on Steve Jobs words as if he was a prophet guiding this generation into a new age of digital nirvana while Microsoft, well, they seem to be regarded as the stodgy old fogies who simply don’t get it, with the only exception being the XBox division.

Overall, these are the most interesting times for the computer world as it seems the tides are a changing in what consitutes a computer and who will be the ultimate champion to the computing world in general.

Apple innovates, Microsoft immitates, and everyone else tries to keep up.

My prediction is that within 5 years, the operating system as we know it will become less relevant as the internet becomes our ‘operating system’ ala Google. And further down the road, maybe 10-15 years, Apple and Microsoft will become one as it comes to light that the weaker company simply can nolonger compete on the OS market. This notes of course that Googles CEO currently sits on Apple’s board so it is Microsoft who will be forced to split off its successful XBox division into its own entity, while its OS system convenes an alliance with Apple.

Only time and the markets will tell the outcome. One day I may delve deeper into my thoughts with greater detail of what I forsee, though if know anything it is to simply expect the unexpected.

The weather this weekend finally hit 25 C which meant I could finally get back outdoors and enjoy the sun!

Since the bike was dropped off for a tune up, my weekend was left to begin the running season again, and thanks to the helpful staff at the Running Room in High Park, I got hooked up with a pair of sweet Nike Air Vomero – and after a long run today (ok walking and running) these shoes are the best ones I’ve worn yet with excellent support, comfort and cushioning that made me feel like I could run better and faster then before (well as long as the rest of my body catches up). The shoe are in the ‘neutral’ category, very light and feel nice and smooth with no pain in the legs ankles or anywhere else.

Of course after accidentally erasing my own running mixes during an iPod refresh (d’oh!), the mix de jour is the one of my fave groups – The Crystal Method – with an excellent 45 min running/workout mix – check it out. Eventually, I’ll be creating my own mixes, but for now let the running begin!

The past 30 days have been ones of constant change and challenge that today made me pause and ponder what exactly the universe has got planned for me. Those who I’ve come closest too this year have been systematically drawn away, nearly one a week, to go off and explore their own personal and professional lives. Each one had their own special place in my life whom each in their own way offered inspiration, insight and escape from the every day.

Now today, I learn the last friend I had looked forward to working with everyday is moving on to a new position for reasons I do not agree with and question. Why do people fear the strong willed and the ones willing to challenge the status quo. I believe these are the true innovators who know how to look outside the box and want to stand up to challenges. My former mentor was such a person and she was fired for it, and now a friend follows a similar fate – though she at least has a better option waiting for her.

Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for all of them for realizing the path that best suits them even though it leave me wondering why I’m being pushed onto a path to travel alone. I’m not so sure this is the environment I want to continue to work in, though other circumstances persist I do, I’ve had a true eye opener into the future and where it may lead me.

Now I’m left with questions running through my mind such as why now are the friends I enjoy the most all moving on? What are the influences in my life trying to tell me with all these changes? And why the heck am I enjoying watching Legally Blonde after a very tasty sirloin steak dinner? I guess only time, and another glass of wine can tell…