Steve Jobs Remembered

Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.

–Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook. Via Facebook

The iconic entrepreneur of the information age is gone. We are all mortal. Steve more so than his peers it seems. But really he had no peer. There are great entrepreneurs all over the place. But Steve was better than all of them. He is a role model for entrepreneurs everywhere.

–Wilson is a VC and principal of Union Square Ventures. Via his blog at avc.com

Steve inspired us all to create and showed that attention to detail can lead to beautiful things.

–Pincus is the founder of Zynga. Via Twitter.

From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the Macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met. On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much. My condolences to family, friends, and colleagues at Apple.

–Brin is the cofounder of Google. Via Google+

I am very, very sad to hear the news about Steve. He was a great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance. He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me. He was very kind to reach out to me as I became CEO of Google and spend time offering his advice and knowledge even though he was not at all well. My thoughts and Google's are with his family and the whole Apple family.

–Page is the cofounder of Google. Via Google+

I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.

–Gates is the founder of Microsoft. Via thegatesnotes.com

Steve jobs defined the word 'cool'. No business person has ever done this.

–Welch is former General Electric CEO. Said at the World Business Forum on Oct. 6 before a crowd of nearly 4,000 attendees.

I never had the privilege of meeting Steve Jobs, and this somber fact may be the greatest regret of my entire life.

–Parker is founder Napster and former president Facebook. Via Facebook

May the uncompromising vision of Steve Jobs live on, inspiring others, making them reach further, do better.

–O'Reilly is the founder O'Reilly Media. Via Twitter

Steve wasn't exactly a warm and fuzzy guy, but he got the best results out of people. He could drive you crazy because the trash can icon didn't look right or a certain shade of black wasn't black enough.

–Kawasaki was formerly Apple’s “chief evangelist”. Via Twitter

I read just about every book written about him—there were, like, 50—and I wanted to be just like him. I said, 'I’m going to be mercurial, and design driven and get really into the details.' And you know what? I couldn’t. I just didn’t have the DNA. It was like trying to be like Michael Jordan. Still, I can honestly say I wouldn’t have started my company without his inspiration. We named our first conference room after him.

–Halligan is the cofounder of HubSpot. Via a phone call

Steve Jobs was a true visionary. He changed our world. He leaves behind a powerful legacy.

–Wilson (left) is the cofounder of Gilt Groupe. Via Twitter

What a sad day for the world. We'll miss you, Steve.

–Houston is the founder of Dropbox. Via Twitter

He was one of the few people in the world who was both a product and marketing visionary. We would all do well to focus on the two things that made him great: amazing products, enduring legacy.

–Vechey (left) is the founder PopCap Games. Via email from an iPhone

Steve Jobs changed.
He changed computers.

He changed software. He changed design.

He changed publishing. 

He changed film.

He changed music.

He changed advertising.

He changed retail.

He changed business.
He changed beige.
He changed expectations.

He changed our minds.
He changed them.

He changed us. He changed you.
‘Don’t be sad because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’ –Dr. Seuss
Now what are you going to change?

–Fried is the founder of 37 Signals. Sent via 37signals.com