For those that don't know, I am somewhat of an Apple fanboy.

Firstly, Apple is fine. Steve has been grooming the current group of executives for long enough that they'll manage fine without him. In fact, they have been running the day-to-day without him for some time now. Their share price even closed higher than yesterday, though that may be because the markets closed before Apple made the announcement. So the next two or three CEOs will carry on Steve's vision, unless they do what that Pepsi Co. guy did and balls things up completely.

Steve was an inspiration.

He started Apple with Woz in a garage. He was fired, then saw Apple almost declare bankruptcy before being instated as CEO and revolutionising the company.

He brought us the iMac, iPod, iPad and iPhone (which, according to rumours, was entirely so he could make the iPad). Under his leadership, Apple released products that were not only functional with a decent form factor but that people actually wanted.

He did all this using methods that the majority of business consulants say don't work and you should never use.

So, to the man reknown for his temper, black turtlenecks, blue jeans and that particular brand of sneakers from this particular fanboy, thank you.

Thank you for Apple and its products. Thank you for showing us that anything is possible, no matter what others say. Thank you for showing the tech industry how to do presentations. Thank you for inspiring countless others to continue what you have begun. Thank you for creating the current tech industry. Thank you for giving us the tools I now use daily and can not do without.

Thank you Steve!

I have no doubt that you will be greatly missed.

