Accidental Technologist

Musings about Entrepreneurship, Technology and Software Development

JOBS

by Leave a Comment

Jobs

I don’t usually post about movies, mainly because most movies these days really suck and aren’t worth the time to even say I saw one. ?I did take in the new JOBS film with Ashton Kutcher. ?I really enjoy the movie. ?It brought back a lot of memories of how the industry was back in the day and how it has evolved since then. ?It was truly an exciting time and I hate to admit, a far more exciting and exhilarating time than today. ?

I’ve heard a lot of criticism leading up to the movie, both about the content and Kutcher’s portrayal of Steve so going into the movie my expectations were not very high. ?I have followed the creation of Apple, and many tech companies for that matter, since I got my first computer in the early 80’s..so I’m very familiar with the storyline.?

I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. ?It was just over 2 hours and I found myself entranced by the film. ?I thought Kutcher did a great job of becoming Steve Jobs, from his facial mannerisms, the looks, personality (maybe a bit nicer) to his walk.

Watching the feedback this weekend I have heard much about how the story wasn’t told accurately and various aspect exaggerated. ?The fact that it was meant to honor Steve and Apple as well as entertain, should be obvious it is not a documentary.

Apple fans should enjoy the movie and avoid the criticism. ?My daughter and I thoroughly enjoy the story and would/will see it again. ?It was a trip back in time when technology seem magical and revolutionary.

Farewell to Stack Exchange

by Leave a Comment

I posted recently about having priorities straight in your profession and Jeff Atwood, founder of Stack Exchange, comes to the realization as well.

Startup life is hard on families. We just welcomed two new members into our family, and running as fast as you can isn’t sustainible for parents of multiple small children. The death of Steve Jobs, and his subsequent posthumous biography, highlighted the risks for a lot of folks.

I’m sure the decision must have been hard, ?to leave the business he co-founded. ?The posts hits home because I made a similar decision over 10 years ago. ?I read this last week and I was surprised by the abruptness but his reasons are solid and understandable:

You may have more discipline than I do. But for me, the mission is everything; I’m downright religious about it. Stack Overflow and Stack Exchange have been wildly successful, but I finally realized that success at the cost of my children is not success. It is failure.

How many parents choose a career for personal gain and with the thought of given their children a better life? ?At what cost? ?Kids grow up not really knowing one or both of their parents. ?Steve jobs had a book written about his life so his kids would know why he did what he did.