Jobs v. Gates

Tuesday September 9, 2008-There was an event held by Apple Computers called "Let's Rock." This event got me to thinking about some things. That is what this post is going to be about.

Everyone knows that Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, is now "retired" (yes quotes because reality is this guy won't leave until he's dead). A lot of people have also noticed some interesting things going on with Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. Many have been speculating that Steve Jobs' health is not so great.

This made me start looking at both these men, and what they have contributed to today's society. When I started thinking about that I was overwhelmed by how well they worked together. The reason I say that is based on what key thing they brought to the table.

Bill Gates created Windows. Seems like nearly everyone in the world has made use of this operating system somehow whether directly or indirectly. It was one of the first of the graphical based operating systems. Released just one year after my birth (yes that gives away my age) I grew up on Windows. I remember using Windows 3.1 even.

Why should we care about Bill Gates other than he's got a lot of money? He is the one that helped make the learning curve for using computers drop tremendously.

Before Windows you had to be a geek or nerd. With Windows you could visually see what you were doing. So there it is Bill Gates revolutionized the world with the idea of a graphical based operating system going mainstream.

Steve Jobs on the other hand did follow a little behind Bill with his operating system, but that wasn't what Steve Jobs brought to the table. Steve Jobs brought user experience.

Bill help create a sort of pre-runner system for Jobs to base his ideas off of. Technically speaking OSX and Windows is nothing alike. However, in the concepts during the starting stages they were.

Steve had the vision to create a product that would change the world, and he did just that. With Apple computers Steve Jobs took what was just an operating system on a small commercialized personal computer to today where it is not just a small computer at home, but an even smaller computer in your pocket.

I believe Steve Jobs brought to the table a revolution in user experience. No more working with registry entries that get corrupt on a windows machine. No more dealing with cheasy graphics or bloat ware. Steve Jobs made a fast, efficient, and good looking computer.

In todays society look, feel, and quality matter. Take for example the MacBook Air. Who really needs one of them. They have less power, less inputs, and no DVD drive or CD drive. Nonetheless, they are selling because people know to expect nothing but top notch quality out of this machine and not to mention it looks amazing.

I know I've been on a kick of Apple and Microsoft lately, but this just kind of popped out at me. I really think it is good to know these things as well for you to be well rounded when it comes to technology. It's the Technology History course just like you take Music History or Art History.