"tolsen64" (tolsen64@hotmail.com) writes:
I was reading an article in the August 25, 2005 edition of Computer
World an interview with John Markoff, author of a book called "What the
Doormouse Said". On page 44 of the magazine it says:
Q: One of your recurring themes is what you call the fault line
between the profit motive and the conviction that information should be
shared freely. Did that tension affect the early development of the
PC?
A: It was so much a part of stuff that happened at the MIT AI lab and
later at the Stanford AI lab and later at the Homebrew Hobbyist Club.
It was the spark that set off the computer industry. [Steve] Wozniak
designed the Apple I just to have a computer to share with his friends
at the Homebrew club. Steve Jobs understood there could be a market
for that and created the Apple II. You can see the tension in the
relationship between Jobs and Wozniak, and it was writ large in the
club.
I think that's an interpretation of events, which when you know
the story isn't that far off, but is misleading for those who don't
know the background.
Steve did make the original computer to what he wanted in a computer.
It wasn't a product, it was something he just happened to share with others.
But then Apple was created, and their intent was to market computers.
The Apple II was still Steve's design, but it was controlled by marketing
considerations, ie Steve Jobs. IN effect Steve Jobs set out what he thought
would fit the market, and Steve then designed to fit those specs.
It's been a long time since I read the history books, but memory says
there were arguments between the two of what should be in there, with
Steve wanted hobbyist type things, while Jobs wanted less of that.
The ultimate result is some sort of compromise between the two
and their philosphies.