A few weeks ago I asked readers what they'd say to Steve Jobs, if they have the opportunity to email him. I promised to forward any emails onto Mr. Jobs himself.
As we've learned over the last few months, Steve will occasionally reply to questions from Apple customers and developers. Sometimes he'll even engage in a public flame war with a blogger, quoting Bob Dylan and questioning the blogger's purpose in life. I thought there was a reasonable chance he might write back, and he did -- once.
[ Also on InfoWorld: Can't get enough of the Apple epic? Review recent history -- through Cringely's eyes -- in "Dear Steve Jobs: Your iPad isn't 'revolutionary'" | "Psst, pass it on: Apple has no secrets" | "The feds may be on to Apple's bad behavior" | "Steve Jobs: Savior or tyrant?" ]
Here are excerpts from the emails I forwarded, along with Steve's lone response. I'll start with the best one, a thoughtful letter from Cringester M. W. It was long, so this is just a portion:
I am a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user who has worked in IT for thirty years. My family and I have owned a number of iPods and we use the iTunes service regularly. This is in no small part due to how well the iPod is integrated into the iTunes store.
All that said …
I find your recent e-mail response to a young blogger to be totally inappropriate for someone in your position. You just shouldn’t treat people disrespectfully. No matter how much you might disagree with them....
It has become clear to me, Steve, that you and Bill Gates are cut from the same cloth! ... Granted you are far more polished and can get your loyal customers to pay whatever you want so they can own your product. ...
At least be honest about what you are selling and don’t pretend that there are not reasonable alternatives to your products. Enable your customers to do more, not just inside your ecosystem but outside of it as well. That’s how you keep loyal customers – not by berating the competition.
