Tonight, We All "Think Different"

1955-2011. There is not much more I can say about Steve Jobs. By now, we all know his accomplishments at Apple AAPL, at Pixar DIS, and at NeXt. From the iPod to iTunes, the Mac, to the iPhone, and finally to the iPad. As I sit here trying to think about how to formulate this column, there is an outflow of emotion coming out of me. Sadness. Downright misery. Happiness for the fact that we should remember his life not in sadness, but in an outburst of emotion and thanks and praise. Few people have made such a powerful and important impact in this world. Jobs imprint and impact on this world are something that is legendary. He is the single greatest innovator of our time and perhaps the best CEO ever. He has changed the world for the better, and for that, we must thank him. I share with you some thoughts from some visionaries, including Apple's own Tim Cook, the board of directors, Mark Zuckberg, and others much better than I ever could. Cook, the new CEO of Apple, expressed his condolences so eloquently and passionately in an email obtained by Business Insider to the staff tonight that is a must read. Cook wrote, "I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today. Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being." The board of directors of the Cupertino-based company wrote, "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts." The CEO of Facebook, the company that is often seen as the next company to change the world, if it has not done so already, Mark Zuckerberg, has put out a message saying, "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." Bill Gates, Jobs' long time competitor, and ultimately friend, tweeted, "Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to Steve Jobs' family & friends. The world rarely sees someone who made such a profound impact." Larry Page, the new CEO of Google GOOG put on his Google+ page, "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." Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, of which Jobs was the largest shareholder of after the purchase of Pixar: “Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an ‘original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.” President Barack Obama and the White House made a statement on the passing of Jobs: "Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world. The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him." Apple has actually set up a page on its website to pay tribute to Jobs and has set up an email address for fans of Apple and Jobs to pay their respects and and those who wish to share their experiences with the world. Jobs once said about death, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." There is no more profound words than this, when Jobs spoke at Stanford University in 2005. When Jobs resigned back in August, I felt a sense of happiness as well as sadness, because of the sickness, but also because of how much he has changed the world for the better. In closing, as I continue to struggle to write this, I know Steve you are up in heaven figuring out how to make it better for all of us, and easier to use and make it even more beautiful than it already is. We would expect nothing less. You married art and science in a way few, if any have before you, or may do again. You once said, “I want to put a ding in the universe.” Steve, you put more than a ding. You created a a huge dent that no one can ever replace. For that, we say thank you. RIP Steve.