The many sides of Steve Wozniak

In case anyone is looking for a signed signed iWoz book you can order your copy now on www.woz.org I ordered one and it looks great. Just thought I would pass on the news.

Dan - I am guessing those that insult Woz is because they (i mean we) are tired of his news, its bloody segway polo and this on an on about his pranks is annoying the crap out of me, geesus we live in a time of "Jackass", Howard Stern, Reality TV, goatse, triple penetr ... uhm, I mean Woz's pranks seem stupid and childish, its like "hey look I'm wearing swim trunks tada!!!" Remember Will Ferrel peeing his pants on an award show as a comedy bit? Woz the entertainer is just lame and annoying, Woz the engineer may or may not still be great (that who knows?) But he WAS great, he has his rightful place in computing history, however he is not an entertainer, that is for OMG so sure.

Thanks Laurie, That's why I post with my real name. I need to be held accountable for what I write. And perhaps it will keep me from saying something stupid. (No? Well, it was worth a try)

Peter, what is going on with Woz's shoes? They seem to be radiating purest light.

Dan - THANK YOU for getting it. I do think people (it's certainly not restricted to TUAW, that's for sure) tend to forget that the words they so carelessly choose to transmit over the, um, tubes, we call the internet are read by real live human beings! We (most of us) have feelings and we have flaws and we bleed when we are cut. NO ONE likes to be insulted or called names and it generally doesn't matter whether we know or like or respect the person slinging the arrows. It tends to hurt all the same. The relative anonymity of the internet makes people forget there behind every monitor and keyboard there is usually a human being. Remember, folks, it's not the keyboard you're hating on, it's a person. And I bet if he - or anyone you treat similarly - were standing right in front of you you'd reconsider your words and treat a fellow human being with a little more respect - for yourself and for them.

We go way back... Well, I did get to Rabbit Ears him on a Geek Cruise :-) He has time for the little guy, He gives you his full attention when you speak with him. He's a genuine hero alright...

http://homepage.mac.com/watling/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004-11-21%2023.34.56%20-0800/Image-DD5144B13C5711D9.jpg

I bought wozs book and read it. After that I came to the conclusion that I'd have kicked the crap out of him if we had gone to school together. The worst kind of geek.

All credit to his tech knowledge and the ideas he came up with 30 years ago but there is a reason engineers are kept in back rooms and not allowed near customers and Woz is the perfect example.

Heard Woz on Tom Ashbrook's On Point on NPR last night. It really was a very good interview. I found the Colbert interview very difficult to watch. Much, as someone else said, like having those uncomfortable conversations with the geeks one works with. He had a lot of interesting things to say and behaved much more like an adult with social skills.

As far as Colbert at the White House... jesus perspicuity, you have to be kidding me. Either you're a republican and are in total denial, or you don't recognize one of the most heroic acts of frankness and bravery in this disgusting political age. The man went head to head with Bush, calling him and the press out for just about every despicable thing thats gone on in the past few years. Even the democratic "leaders" in congress aren't ballsy enough to do that.

What's wrong with you people? How in the world are you in a position to judge what Woz does with is life, his speaking style, his performance on television? In short, who do you think you are?

I'm not a Woz fan - I know almost nothing about him, but I am astounded at how rude people can be when they forget that real live humans are reading and responding to what they write.

When Woz talks about being true to his 10-year-old self and his 20-year-old self, I'll bet he wants to retain some of the wonder and innocence of childhood that so many on TUAW have evidently lost.

If you have seen video clips of other White House Correspondents Association dinners, you will see true hilarity, and the audience eating it up. Not this time. Colbert was just plain insufferable that night...balls yes, funny no.

And I otherwise like watching him...One doesn't have to agree politically with a comedian to enjoy their jokes. ;)