This is going to be a bit controversial, but seriously speaking, I think that people, especially old Mac fans, think too highly of Steve Wozniak.
Let’s look at the history. Woz designed the Apple II, which was considered the first personal computer ever. He certainly was to be given credit for the designing, but definitely not the personal computing revolution. Woz wanted to give HP the design, but HP did not think much of it. Woz was about to give up on the Apple II and continued his job at HP if not for Steve Jobs.
Inventions-wise, so what has Woz really done? He invented the Apple II. Period. That’s about all he did for the tech and computing world, besides sprouting his so-called “great ideas” rubbish to tech journalists when they want some entertainment.
Character-wise? He sucks. He is easily as big an egomaniac as Steve Jobs is, but he does not have the guts to do what he wanted to. This was described in detail all over his personal auto-biography, iWoz. He was a hippie wannabe, he blames the US govt for “screwing with his life”, he thinks too much of himself.
Before I read his book, all I thought of Woz was that he is a has-been. Now I seriously detest him.
Interesting post. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Hope others find it as interesting as I did.