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Ross Perot Has Died

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Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#2
Many remember Perot as the goofy rich guy who ran for president in 92, but what many don’t know is that he funded NeXT computer - Steve Jobs’ post-Apple venture that was later acquired by Apple and transformed computing for the next decade. Interface Builder and the NextStep core libraries were arguably one of the biggest catalysts of the iPhone App ecosystem. In many ways iOS exists because of NeXT. So while it was considered by many to be a failed company, behind the scenes its technology has continued to be influential.

Perot deserves credit for seeing the magic there, and staking a significant chunk of change on it.

Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#4
post #2

Many remember Perot as the goofy rich guy who ran for president in 92, but what many don’t know is that he funded NeXT computer - Steve Jobs’ post-Apple venture that was later acquired by Apple and transformed computing for the next decade. Interface Builder and the NextStep core libraries were arguably one of the biggest catalysts of the iPhone App ecosystem. In many ways iOS exists because of NeXT. So while it was…

>, but what many don’t know is that he funded NeXT computer - Steve Jobs’ post-Apple venture

Ross Perot also tried to buy an early Microsoft in 1979 when it only had 28 employees: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=199...

Some accounts said one reason Ross Perot's enthusiastic investment in NeXT happened was because he regretted missing out on Microsoft and didn't want to repeat the same mistake.

Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#6
post #2

Many remember Perot as the goofy rich guy who ran for president in 92, but what many don’t know is that he funded NeXT computer - Steve Jobs’ post-Apple venture that was later acquired by Apple and transformed computing for the next decade. Interface Builder and the NextStep core libraries were arguably one of the biggest catalysts of the iPhone App ecosystem. In many ways iOS exists because of NeXT. So while it was…

Nothing you said is wrong except that NeXTSTEP was first ported to Mac hardware and became Mac OS X which in turn led to iOS.

Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#7
I always liked the guy. He lived not far from me. Back in the day in an old job I did a service call at his home. Never got to meet him though. He seemed to be a decent, forward thinking gent.

Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#8
post #5

Ross Perot was way ahead of his time. We are finally getting an idea of how terrible some of these deals have been. https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/perot-in-1992-...

This debate footage is so remarkable to watch in 2019, for several reasons. 1: They allowed a third party candidate in a general debate 2: The candidate is able to take breaths & even pause without someone cutting jumping in, allowing him to make an complete point 3: No one is talking over him while he talks.

Sure the candidates are tougher to manage in 2019 (especially after Trump changed the game in '16), but the debate moderation we've seen so far is truly pathetic, and I blame the moderators for robbing voters of the more meaningful discourse that might be possible if moderators did their jobs by actually enforcing time limits & forbidding interruptions (by cutting mics).

Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#9
If you are looking for a contrast with a typical tech bro modern day CEO leadership I highly recommend the book "On wings of Eagles." It describes Ross Perots efforts to gather a mix of staff and hired guns to go into Iran and break some of his staff out of prison during the Iranian Revolution. They actually succeeded. Partly crazy, partly courageous...only in America!

Re: Ross Perot Has Died

#10
post #2

Many remember Perot as the goofy rich guy who ran for president in 92, but what many don’t know is that he funded NeXT computer - Steve Jobs’ post-Apple venture that was later acquired by Apple and transformed computing for the next decade. Interface Builder and the NextStep core libraries were arguably one of the biggest catalysts of the iPhone App ecosystem. In many ways iOS exists because of NeXT. So while it was…

I remember him as the guy who did everything he could to save employees stuck in Iran, two of whom were imprisoned, during the revolution.

He didnt go rescue them himself, but he funded the rescue and was personally invested in the rescue.

Not many CEOs would do much more than pay some K&R firm to negotiate a ransom/bribe, while simultaneously getting the lawyers to work out how little each life is worth they need to settle with the families.

RIP Mr. Perot

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