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Joining Apple Computer (2018)

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71–80 of 131 posts

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#71

I'm always blown away by the vision behind stuff like HyperCard. It was all about giving non-techies the keys to the kingdom. But looking at today's tech landscape, with its walled gardens and app stores, I can't help but feel we've gone backwards.

Apparently we need to be doing more LSD

I wish safe, tested sources were generally available. I’m 55 this year and would like to try it, but I’m not going to buy street drugs nor am I capable of producing it. Is there a pharmaceutical version of LSD available somewhere in the world through legitimate channels?

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#72
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I totally agree. I watched it 3 times as well. One in London with a panel of the general magic employees. It was an amazing experience

Oh wow, that must have been magical. Have you seen "Halt and Catch Fire"? These two masterpieces are my top 2 watchings. Both so amazing but generally unknown/underrated.

I agree with you! I love that they're both extremely underrated. I remember buying the Documentary and watching it immediately. The fact that they're not well known, gives I guess our side of world our own sorta "special something" to watch/enjoy.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#73
post #7

Legend. I still remember first putting my hands on a Mac, and the joy of computing that ensued in high school. I could get lost in the computer for days. Thank you, Bill.

I had that feeling too. How do we get it back? How do we share it with others? There has to be a way.

> How do we get it back?

If by it you mean excitement about a personal computer, I’m not sure.

If you are speaking more generally about having some activity that is creative and all-consuming, then look to the arts. There are people picking up a guitar or paintbrush or bread recipe for the first time today and it’s going to become everything to them.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#74

"In 1990, with John Sculley's blessing, I left Apple with Marc Porat and Andy Hertzfeld to co-found General Magic and help to invent the personal communicator." Sculley really wasn't the right person to lead Apple. He should have been begging them to do it in-house.

Sometimes the smart think is to encourage folks to do their thing, and if it's successful buy it back in-house.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#75
post #38

"I worked at Apple for 12 years, making tools to empower creative people [...]" I think this was the hook that got many of us to admire Apple as a company (and more broadly, to get excited about computing as a discipline/industry). For a long time, that was arguably (one of) their primary mission. I suspect to what extent it could still be considered to be the case today would be subject to much debate.

Is it even up for debate that that’s definitely not what their primary mission is? Their market cap sits at 3.5 trillion, ranking them third behind Microsoft and nvidia. Unlike those other two, Apple makes most of that on selling iPhones and the like to consumers.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apparently we need to be doing more LSD

I wish safe, tested sources were generally available. I’m 55 this year and would like to try it, but I’m not going to buy street drugs nor am I capable of producing it. Is there a pharmaceutical version of LSD available somewhere in the world through legitimate channels?

Not exactly LSD, but psilocybin clinics have been legalized in certain locations, such as the US state of Oregon. Psilocybin is of the same psychedelic class (tryptamines), so it is not an entirely dissimilar experience, although for me it's less stimulating than LSD, so YMMV.

I understand though that clinics aren't the ideal for many (they are for some), since you aren't allowed to have the trip at home or leave the clinic until it is over.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish safe, tested sources were generally available. I’m 55 this year and would like to try it, but I’m not going to buy street drugs nor am I capable of producing it. Is there a pharmaceutical version of LSD available somewhere in the world through legitimate channels?

Not exactly LSD, but psilocybin clinics have been legalized in certain locations, such as the US state of Oregon. Psilocybin is of the same psychedelic class (tryptamines), so it is not an entirely dissimilar experience, although for me it's less stimulating than LSD, so YMMV. I understand though that clinics aren't the ideal for many (they are for some), since you aren't allowed to have the trip at home or leave the…

I actually think I would be more comfortable in a clinic.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#78
post #65
post #33

What a wonderful read. I find myself pining for a lot of the "old days" when anything seemed possible and it was open and exciting. You could DO surprisingly, not a lot, but everything still felt possible. Now everything seems trapped in advertising dominated closed box. Login and live in this limited little space... The internet is still there, I can still put up a site that isn't covered with ads. I wish I could su…

I'm around the age these guys were during this story. I feel the exact opposite way. I spent middle/high school feeling similarly, only pining for the 2000s ("wow, with smartphones and the internet the industry was wide open with opportunity, anything was possible. Now it seems like everything's been done and giants rule the world"). However, the GenAI boom completely changed my mind. I feel like we're the most lucky…

What is now possible that wasnt before, other than writing really really bad code fast?

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#79
post #75
post #38

"I worked at Apple for 12 years, making tools to empower creative people [...]" I think this was the hook that got many of us to admire Apple as a company (and more broadly, to get excited about computing as a discipline/industry). For a long time, that was arguably (one of) their primary mission. I suspect to what extent it could still be considered to be the case today would be subject to much debate.

Is it even up for debate that that’s definitely not what their primary mission is? Their market cap sits at 3.5 trillion, ranking them third behind Microsoft and nvidia. Unlike those other two, Apple makes most of that on selling iPhones and the like to consumers.

That’s not really at odds with the goal of empowering creatives.

A significant chunk of every iPhone and iPad release is features specifically for creatives.

This specific site doesn’t cater to creatives and will often be full of developers comments bemoaning those things, but I really challenge anyone to look at any of their Mac/iOS product releases in the last decade and point out how creatives aren’t still a big component of their DNA.

Re: Joining Apple Computer (2018)

#80
post #65
post #33

What a wonderful read. I find myself pining for a lot of the "old days" when anything seemed possible and it was open and exciting. You could DO surprisingly, not a lot, but everything still felt possible. Now everything seems trapped in advertising dominated closed box. Login and live in this limited little space... The internet is still there, I can still put up a site that isn't covered with ads. I wish I could su…

I'm around the age these guys were during this story. I feel the exact opposite way. I spent middle/high school feeling similarly, only pining for the 2000s ("wow, with smartphones and the internet the industry was wide open with opportunity, anything was possible. Now it seems like everything's been done and giants rule the world"). However, the GenAI boom completely changed my mind. I feel like we're the most lucky…

I don't really think AI solves the engineering problems of our day. Compared to the impact of the tape measure, slide rule or digital calculator, I wager AI will be a blip in the engineering landscape.
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