Report: Steve Jobs has logged off
It takes him nine paragraphs to get to it, but there's a nugget of Apple (AAPL) news in Robert X. Cringely's latest column, "Where's Steve?," published Saturday.
Cringely, the pen name of former InfoWorld and PBS columnist Mark Stephens, sets it up with a quote from Oscar Wilde ("The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.") and a leisurely discourse on how Steve Jobs, after his bout with pancreatic cancer (link), shifted from skillfully managing the press to skillfully avoiding it.
Then Cringely drops his little bombshell:
"A friend of mine has for years been one of Steve Jobs’ Internet chat buddies. And as such his chat client has – again for years – shown as Steve came online each day and remained there for hours and hours as you’d expect a Silicon Valley mogul to do. And it’s a trend that continued well past Jobs’ announcement that he was taking a six-month leave of absence to get well. But then Steve started logging-on less and less. And several weeks ago he stopped logging-on at all." (link)
But Cringely goes one further and asserts, without further evidence, that Steve Jobs has completely stopped using his computer.
Of course, not logging on to chat doesn't necessarily mean any such thing, as several readers were quick to point out in the I, Cringely comment stream. It could mean that Jobs is concentrating on getting better, as he said he would. He might also, as another reader suggests, have changed his chat name or de-listed his friend's ID.
And perhaps, as several commenters assert with some heat, Steve Jobs' health issues are none of Cringely's — or any of our — business. "Who the [unprintable] cares?"
To which Cringely replies:
"I knew that this would be a polarizing column but that, in itself, is not a valid reason to avoid it. And if the commenters are Apple shareholders, then I’m really surprised. If they aren’t Apple shareholders, then I’m not at all surprised they don’t care. But no major company in the computer industry is guided more personally than is Apple by Steve Jobs. Not even Microsoft under Bill Gates and it was Bill Gates who told me that, admiringly. So his condition IS material and he can change that by resigning and nothing else. I’m not calling for that, by the way. But if he wants to take his name off my map that’s what it will require.
"And yes, he might have changed his chat name after many years, he might have disowned my source, might have done any of a number of other things mentioned BUT HE DIDN’T. You think I don’t check these things out? I’ve had this for 10 days and wouldn’t have published on a Saturday except it took that long to confirm." (link)
A source known to have Steve Jobs on his Internet chat client declined to confirm — or deny — that Jobs has gone offline. Apple has yet to return a request for comment.
Jobs is a truly great leader who has driven changes that have made all of our lives better. He is a great man but he is a human being. All human beings are mortal and being great does not make it right when slimy little busy bodies try to poke their mediocre noses into your life at a point when you are trying to heal, fighting for life. This column is completely inappropriate.
Jobs is a truly great leader who has driven changes that have made all of our lives better. He is a great man but he is a human being. All human beings are mortal and being great does not make it right when slimy little busy bodies try to poke their mediocre noses into your life at a point when you are trying to heal, fighting for life. This column is completely inappropriate.
Only ignorant fools say that Microsoft copied Apple. Ever heard of Xerox Parc? Read about it. Thanks.
Only ignorant fools say that Microsoft copied Apple. Ever heard of Xerox Parc? Read about it. Thanks.
Well as a personal friend of Steve's told me:
Steve, after seeing those Mojave and Steinfeld/Gates commercials decided to give Vista Ultimatum a whirl.
Since then, Mojave's UAC won't allow Steve's chat client to run despite state of the art Tech Support from Microsoft.
I wish Steve all well and good health.
I really feel sad to see the insensitivity around when I read media reports like these, as apparently the whole world is more worried about "what happens next" than being considerate about Steve himself.
Imagine yourself in Steve's shoes, and think for a sec, how would you feel when you start realizing, that people are only interested to know how Apple will run after me, but no one is concerned about my well being.
Let's wish Steve all the very best, and hope to see him emerging healthy soon.
I wish Steve all well and good health.
I really feel sad to see the insensitivity around when I read media reports like these, as apparently the whole world is more worried about "what happens next" than being considerate about Steve himself.
Imagine yourself in Steve's shoes, and think for a sec, how would you feel when you start realizing, that people are only interested to know how Apple will run after me, but no one is concerned about my well being.
Let's wish Steve all the very best, and hope to see him emerging healthy soon.
By the way, Elmer-DeWitt writing an article on a Cringely column is like Yanni covering a Micheal Bolton song.
Hahaha! Jenny is posting the exact same rant across multiple Apple stories today. Are you bored with your own existence, an irritated loser, or a touch of both?
Hahaha! Jenny is posting the exact same rant across multiple Apple stories today. Are you bored with your own existence, an irritated loser, or a touch of both?
Apple has had its ups and downs through the years. Steve has continued to innovate and bring his company out of the ashes. May his health be resurrected and may he see many more good days.
Betty
Poor Bob, the adrenalin feeding his press rush has gone by the way side and he's pissed. It's like someone took candy from him. Steve Jobs doesn't like you Bob! Get over it. Leave the guy alone and let him heal. That's where his focus should be, and having leeches like you sniffing up his backside will not help the process.
Love,
Mike
Investors definitely should bet against Apple, it's going nowhere fast and it's a headless corpse at present and due to remain so. The company has bad karma, in fact, one could say that Steve Jobs brought his own suffering on himself. The tremendous wealth acquired by Steve Jobs wasn't enough, he had to lobby to gut the wages of all American workers, including his own workers so as to squeeze even more profits out for himself. The man lobbied Al Gore to encourage democrats to abandon the civil and human rights of American citizen workers, he exploited the image of Cesar Chavez, and Albert Einstein, as those who would approve of Apple, while at the same time promoting policies that neither would approve of. Eroding wage, workplace, food and product safety, even environmental protections. There is poetic justice in Steve Jobs health and survival dwindling away, because he has selfishly used his wealth and power to deprive American citizens of their ability to survive. Each day that goes by, where Apple and Steve Jobs continue to destroy the lives of American citizen workers, will lead Jobs closer to the day he will no longer be able to harm anyone.
Apple products are not cutting edge, they are high priced toys that are mere shadows of what the brand originally was. Each new release is just one more opportunity to rip us off. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are now just two dessicated faces on the same coin, avaricious mediocrity.
Investors definitely should bet against Apple, it's going nowhere fast and it's a headless corpse at present and due to remain so. The company has bad karma, in fact, one could say that Steve Jobs brought his own suffering on himself. The tremendous wealth acquired by Steve Jobs wasn't enough, he had to lobby to gut the wages of all American workers, including his own workers so as to squeeze even more profits out for himself. The man lobbied Al Gore to encourage democrats to abandon the civil and human rights of American citizen workers, he exploited the image of Cesar Chavez, and Albert Einstein, as those who would approve of Apple, while at the same time promoting policies that neither would approve of. Eroding wage, workplace, food and product safety, even environmental protections. There is poetic justice in Steve Jobs health and survival dwindling away, because he has selfishly used his wealth and power to deprive American citizens of their ability to survive. Each day that goes by, where Apple and Steve Jobs continue to destroy the lives of American citizen workers, will lead Jobs closer to the day he will no longer be able to harm anyone.
Apple products are not cutting edge, they are high priced toys that are mere shadows of what the brand originally was. Each new release is just one more opportunity to rip us off. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are now just two dessicated faces on the same coin, avaricious mediocrity.
Now that you mention Bill Gates – Years ago Apple sued Microsoft for "stealing" the Mac OS concept and Microsoft finally "won out" because Apple didn't have the resources to continue the fight.
There is no question in my mind but what Gates purposely copied the Mac method – therefore, making billions of dollars. Probably one of the largest copyright thefts in our history.
Now that you mention Bill Gates – Years ago Apple sued Microsoft for "stealing" the Mac OS concept and Microsoft finally "won out" because Apple didn't have the resources to continue the fight.
There is no question in my mind but what Gates purposely copied the Mac method – therefore, making billions of dollars. Probably one of the largest copyright thefts in our history.
Someone actually gets paid money to write a column focused on Steve Jobs logging into a chat room?
Really nothing respectable in journalism anymore. It's all pulling things out of the air.
Seriously…. he isn't on chat? That's a basis to write a column, and continue to speculate on health?
Worthless writers.
The article also fails to point out that with the great delivery of email, web content, and even web browsing available on the iPhone – a lot of us have started to log onto our computers less….that's because our computer is in our pockets. And those that want to get in touch with us can easily text us.
Ask any iPhone user – and I bet they are logging it IM (and their standard computer) much less then before. With Steve not at the office every day….all he needs to get in touch with people is his iPhone.
The article also fails to point out that with the great delivery of email, web content, and even web browsing available on the iPhone – a lot of us have started to log onto our computers less….that's because our computer is in our pockets. And those that want to get in touch with us can easily text us.
Ask any iPhone user – and I bet they are logging it IM (and their standard computer) much less then before. With Steve not at the office every day….all he needs to get in touch with people is his iPhone.
A friend of mine has received two personal emails from Steve Jobs in the past 2 weeks, so this report is bogus.
Hi Mr. De Witt, you did an excellent bit of research to give us the news on Mr. Jobs pancreatic cancer, the Whipple procedure and its relation to Mr. Jobs health. Could you follow up on that and work out the possible status of Mr. Jobs health from whatever you have gleaned so far.
Regards
Hi Mr. De Witt, you did an excellent bit of research to give us the news on Mr. Jobs pancreatic cancer, the Whipple procedure and its relation to Mr. Jobs health. Could you follow up on that and work out the possible status of Mr. Jobs health from whatever you have gleaned so far.
Regards
I hope the lord takes pity on you people for terrorizing Steve. He deserves better. You people are sick. If he does pass.. I hope you can sleep at night PED.
Just sayin.
I hope the lord takes pity on you people for terrorizing Steve. He deserves better. You people are sick. If he does pass.. I hope you can sleep at night PED.
Just sayin.
Yes, Mr. Jobs is very important, yes, he is not only the face of Apple , but a compass for all things Apple. I find your article well versed, well informed…BUT, what if the title was "Jobs says he has unplugged and tuned out while taking care of himself" ? That would STILL have the SAME effect as your article and the result should also be the same…WISH STEVE JOBS WELL and give the man a break. He is a Human Being before he is the ICON … So staying with the human condition just let him be and wish him good thoughts and a speedy recovery. Doesn't he DESERVE THAT? So, let me give the CORRECT end to this story. Mr. Jobs, with all my heart and good intentions , I wish you well. Be well soon, we will all be here applauding your return whenever that will be. God Bless you and keep you safe. All The best. ….
So. A "friend of his" says something. Which he, of course, believes faithfully. And.. just to be sure.. he somehow, in a week, manages to confirm his "friend's" fact. How, we do not know, of course. And he is allowed to write an influential article with this as evidence? Are freaking kidding me? Where is the ethics in the journalistic field? Totally and completely lost, it seems. Hearsay. Circumstantial. At freaking best.
I have a friend who just spoke to elvis. He says he's coming out with a new album. But I better not write about it until I can "confirm" it. What a joke.
So. A "friend of his" says something. Which he, of course, believes faithfully. And.. just to be sure.. he somehow, in a week, manages to confirm his "friend's" fact. How, we do not know, of course. And he is allowed to write an influential article with this as evidence? Are freaking kidding me? Where is the ethics in the journalistic field? Totally and completely lost, it seems. Hearsay. Circumstantial. At freaking best.
I have a friend who just spoke to elvis. He says he's coming out with a new album. But I better not write about it until I can "confirm" it. What a joke.
Funny, I have never had steve not answer his phone when I call. That said, I have never called him when he was/is on vacation or out of the office for a bit.
Glad to see him getting some R&R.
You mention stock holders should be concerned. I am a long-term stockholder who is concerned for my Apple stock as it has been beaten down unreasonably by Enquirer-like journalism. I wish Jobs good health for his and his family's sake. Apple will survive and prosper just as Disney prospered when Walt Disney ended his management. There is a lot of talent at Apple. Don't underestimate the potential of a Jobs-less Apple.
You mention stock holders should be concerned. I am a long-term stockholder who is concerned for my Apple stock as it has been beaten down unreasonably by Enquirer-like journalism. I wish Jobs good health for his and his family's sake. Apple will survive and prosper just as Disney prospered when Walt Disney ended his management. There is a lot of talent at Apple. Don't underestimate the potential of a Jobs-less Apple.
Philip Elmer-DeWitt, I photojournalist for 20 years and this story should be shown to every beginning journalist as an example of reporting.
It should be made an example of poor, lazy and incompetent reporting. Even the "Enquirer" would have issue printing this, unless of course you added Brittany Spears in it. This is a cover your butt story. It reads that you got chewed on by an editor for missing this story. So you threw this together last second.
So did even try to contact Cringely, the pen name of former InfoWorld and PBS columnist Mark Stephens, to confirm any of this? Did you try and confirm the identity of "Steve Jobs’ Internet chat buddy? Did you look for any other source for this? Maybe another one Steve Jobs’ Internet chat buddies. How would Apple even know who Steve Jobs chat with.
Let me blunt for a second here. The only thing you did in a journalistic correct manor was to quote Philip Elmer-DeWitt's story correctly so you could avoid a plagiarism lawsuit.
You would have been better to try and dig through Steve Jobs trash can to see what he is eating and what meds he is on.
Philip Elmer-DeWitt, I photojournalist for 20 years and this story should be shown to every beginning journalist as an example of reporting.
It should be made an example of poor, lazy and incompetent reporting. Even the "Enquirer" would have issue printing this, unless of course you added Brittany Spears in it. This is a cover your butt story. It reads that you got chewed on by an editor for missing this story. So you threw this together last second.
So did even try to contact Cringely, the pen name of former InfoWorld and PBS columnist Mark Stephens, to confirm any of this? Did you try and confirm the identity of "Steve Jobs’ Internet chat buddy? Did you look for any other source for this? Maybe another one Steve Jobs’ Internet chat buddies. How would Apple even know who Steve Jobs chat with.
Let me blunt for a second here. The only thing you did in a journalistic correct manor was to quote Philip Elmer-DeWitt's story correctly so you could avoid a plagiarism lawsuit.
You would have been better to try and dig through Steve Jobs trash can to see what he is eating and what meds he is on.
"Free press, free market have all become synonymous with free manipulation for personal gain. I am sick of this."
With the most sincere respect, what have the free market and press ever represented but manipulation for personal gain?
The market has two emotions: greed and fear. You sound like you want "fair". But I don;t think the market does "fair". It does personal gain or party gain.
If you are sick of it, I suggest working for a living instead of speculating on other people's visions. Failing that, you can always eat lentils and beg on the roadside. Or write a blog.
"That’s sad. I hope he survives."
What? I mean, for how long? Until what time?
Face reality people. The divine being has one foot in the grave, and one can hear the reaper is sharpening his scythe as I type.
Anyway, Apple are very yesterday. Something else is going to come along soon, and it will be resigned to corporate folklore.
Apple. *yawn* They lost me when I had to pay to put apps I wrote on a phone I bought. I am like 100% tell the reaper about your whipple, STEVO.
"That’s sad. I hope he survives."
What? I mean, for how long? Until what time?
Face reality people. The divine being has one foot in the grave, and one can hear the reaper is sharpening his scythe as I type.
Anyway, Apple are very yesterday. Something else is going to come along soon, and it will be resigned to corporate folklore.
Apple. *yawn* They lost me when I had to pay to put apps I wrote on a phone I bought. I am like 100% tell the reaper about your whipple, STEVO.
These writers are probably paid by shorts or he is shorting Apple stock. Given how Wall Street works I am not surprised at all. Free press, free market have all become synonymous with free manipulation for personal gain. I am sick of this.
These writers are probably paid by shorts or he is shorting Apple stock. Given how Wall Street works I am not surprised at all. Free press, free market have all become synonymous with free manipulation for personal gain. I am sick of this.
I own a small number of Apple shares so technically, I'm a shareholder. I will say this. This is a time when Steve has asked for even more privacy than usual and so, with all the attention and rumors flying around, I am not surprised that he has restricted his online access to the world. In addition, any kind of surgery will require further privacy and time to heal and it would not surprise me if for the next couple of months, Steve remains cut off from the rest of the online world. I just think that during these six months, he SHOULD be entitled to virtually all the privacy he needs. As we approach June, we can expect an official statement as to where his condition is at. Steve is a workaholic and I think he pushed himself very hard at Apple and Pixar for many years. He has realized this. He now knows that he must give his body the rest and recuperation it needs, and certainly will need as he treats his condition.
It is not surprising AT ALL that Mr. Jobs has turned off his chatting programs. After reading a couple of ridiculous columns like this, I am sure he has decided to regain a little privacy, especially concerning the world knowing when he is on or off the internet!
It is not surprising AT ALL that Mr. Jobs has turned off his chatting programs. After reading a couple of ridiculous columns like this, I am sure he has decided to regain a little privacy, especially concerning the world knowing when he is on or off the internet!
The cultish obsession about Steve Jobs' health ignores other Apple strengths.
Jobs is good, but he's not good enough to do it all by himself.
Apple has a far superior team and better focus than it had when Apple lost Jobs in the '90s. The company has enviable positions in growing market share, manufacturing, distribution marketing and R&D, and a wealth of product lines with so much potential.
I wish Steve Jobs all the best. Though I hope it doesn't have to, Apple will go on without him if necessary.
The cultish obsession about Steve Jobs' health ignores other Apple strengths.
Jobs is good, but he's not good enough to do it all by himself.
Apple has a far superior team and better focus than it had when Apple lost Jobs in the '90s. The company has enviable positions in growing market share, manufacturing, distribution marketing and R&D, and a wealth of product lines with so much potential.
I wish Steve Jobs all the best. Though I hope it doesn't have to, Apple will go on without him if necessary.
To imply that one man IS the company is an insult to the thousands of employees and hundreds of excellent managers in the Apple organization. Steve is a wonderful leader, there is no question about that, but he does not make all the day to day decisions that have made the company successful. Folks like Tim Cook who is totally responsible for the success of the operation, making and keeping the company profitable is still around. Let Steve focus on his health and try supporting the wonderful staff at Apple. And yes, I am a shareholder.
To imply that one man IS the company is an insult to the thousands of employees and hundreds of excellent managers in the Apple organization. Steve is a wonderful leader, there is no question about that, but he does not make all the day to day decisions that have made the company successful. Folks like Tim Cook who is totally responsible for the success of the operation, making and keeping the company profitable is still around. Let Steve focus on his health and try supporting the wonderful staff at Apple. And yes, I am a shareholder.
Strikes me like the rumour mongers are truly bored stiff because they've got nothing to write about, and so we get drivel like this blog.
No CEO has the time to spend hours/day on chatting. There are far too many other important things demanding your time. Being signed on IS NOT the same thing as being there.
And how would you know Steve was on the other end to begin with and not an assistant perhaps who was doing informal market research.
Strikes me like the rumour mongers are truly bored stiff because they've got nothing to write about, and so we get drivel like this blog.
No CEO has the time to spend hours/day on chatting. There are far too many other important things demanding your time. Being signed on IS NOT the same thing as being there.
And how would you know Steve was on the other end to begin with and not an assistant perhaps who was doing informal market research.
The more I think about this the angrier I get. The heading is macabre. Yu should all be totally ashamed of your sensationalism. In a time when we are suppose to pulling togeher and helping one another, you continually publish such rubish???? If you DO NOT like Apple…buy RIMM. If you do not like the iPhone buy a Blackberry. If you do not like the Mac's buy a P.C….but shut the hell up. You… Krackow, Savitz,the entire CNBC yelling, screaming, cast…are pathetic…and not just Apple..your attitudes and…oh I'm wasting my time. You make me sick. Anything for a buck, right????
The more I think about this the angrier I get. The heading is macabre. Yu should all be totally ashamed of your sensationalism. In a time when we are suppose to pulling togeher and helping one another, you continually publish such rubish???? If you DO NOT like Apple…buy RIMM. If you do not like the iPhone buy a Blackberry. If you do not like the Mac's buy a P.C….but shut the hell up. You… Krackow, Savitz,the entire CNBC yelling, screaming, cast…are pathetic…and not just Apple..your attitudes and…oh I'm wasting my time. You make me sick. Anything for a buck, right????
I'm in agreement with "Irvine, CA" and really must protest the quality of this column as well. I read it because my customers read this sort of thing and it helps me debunk their misinformation. But by reading this one I realize I'm keeping it going, and I can't do that any longer. I'm deleting it from my RSS.
I'm in agreement with "Irvine, CA" and really must protest the quality of this column as well. I read it because my customers read this sort of thing and it helps me debunk their misinformation. But by reading this one I realize I'm keeping it going, and I can't do that any longer. I'm deleting it from my RSS.
It must be a real slow news day. If I were Jobs I'd have changed my email address, my iChat address, moved to a deserted island and possibly had plastic surgery, all just to get away from the likes of Mark Stephens.
It must be a real slow news day. If I were Jobs I'd have changed my email address, my iChat address, moved to a deserted island and possibly had plastic surgery, all just to get away from the likes of Mark Stephens.
Just the fact that this Steve Job's "friend" let these details surface on the press, it is enough a good reason to delist him from the buddies.
Just the fact that this Steve Job's "friend" let these details surface on the press, it is enough a good reason to delist him from the buddies.
Mr Dim Wit,
The real story here is not that Steve has "logged off" but whether your credibility is intact. You so easily repeat Cringely's words as fact. You quote his words about a "friend of Steve's" as if it were true. So sad that you have no news to report so you take the low road by repeating inuendo and rumor, NOT facts.
You are so sad… At least you met your minumum word quota for the week. Now move on to make up more "news".
Mr Dim Wit,
The real story here is not that Steve has "logged off" but whether your credibility is intact. You so easily repeat Cringely's words as fact. You quote his words about a "friend of Steve's" as if it were true. So sad that you have no news to report so you take the low road by repeating inuendo and rumor, NOT facts.
You are so sad… At least you met your minumum word quota for the week. Now move on to make up more "news".
Look Dim Wit… I can't imagine that Steve Jobs had "HOURS" to chat on line with anyone…or that he would want to chat on line with ANYONE for hours.
If you didn't post another column…would the world go on with out you? Get a life and let Steve Jobs live his… in peace.
Look Dim Wit… I can't imagine that Steve Jobs had "HOURS" to chat on line with anyone…or that he would want to chat on line with ANYONE for hours.
If you didn't post another column…would the world go on with out you? Get a life and let Steve Jobs live his… in peace.
Everyone knows he's seriously ill. There's probably a chance he will die. What else does the press need, MRIs, XRays, his stool samples? If you think Apple will collapse without Steve Jobs then maybe you shouldn't invest your money in Apple stock. Is it that difficult to figure out? I wonder how many of these people in the press, who maintain that we need to know everything, have Apple stock. Cringely the tabloids are calling.
Everyone knows he's seriously ill. There's probably a chance he will die. What else does the press need, MRIs, XRays, his stool samples? If you think Apple will collapse without Steve Jobs then maybe you shouldn't invest your money in Apple stock. Is it that difficult to figure out? I wonder how many of these people in the press, who maintain that we need to know everything, have Apple stock. Cringely the tabloids are calling.
Writing 'Robert X. Cringley' must be wrong.
'Cringely' must be correct.
The Japanese are generally delicate..maybe
ex ped: Thanks for your delicate correction.
Writing 'Robert X. Cringley' must be wrong.
'Cringely' must be correct.
The Japanese are generally delicate..maybe
ex ped: Thanks for your delicate correction.
So, if I understand correctly, Cringely is saying that being an Apple shareholder gives people the right to be insensitive and poke their noses into the private life of Steve Jobs?
I know, I know … how naive of me to think in those terms, to think that maybe we can be a little less selfish about our dollars, but I can't get past feeling all of this is wrong.
So, if I understand correctly, Cringely is saying that being an Apple shareholder gives people the right to be insensitive and poke their noses into the private life of Steve Jobs?
I know, I know … how naive of me to think in those terms, to think that maybe we can be a little less selfish about our dollars, but I can't get past feeling all of this is wrong.
Of course it may not mean anything, but still I'm not liking the sound of this at all. Very depressing to think about.
Tom
Of course it may not mean anything, but still I'm not liking the sound of this at all. Very depressing to think about.
Tom
San Francisco – to the contrary, Jobs drove through a series of ideas that MSFT then slavishly copied. Let me give a specific example. Jobs became familiar with fonts, kerning etc when he was a student on sabbatical at Reid. When the Macintosh was created he added in the idea of fonts – thinking of it because of a personal experience decades earlier. The original imagewriter was configured to similarly provide font printing. Up until then there had been nothing like fonts in the personal computer world. There are many such examples. Xerox Parc was a brilliant source of ideas as well but without Jobs the computer world would be an impoverished place.