My memories of Steve Jobs. Part 3: summer shorts and work until victory

Great article, the memory of Don Melton, known primarily as "the guy who created the Safari and WebKit in Apple», was published in The Loop Magazine in February of this year. Editor greatly cut it, so Melton decided to publish the article in its original form these days. Now you can learn all the interesting details of Melton memories.

Part 1

Part 2

Style

Steve does not always wore blue jeans and a black turtleneck.

Sometime during my first years at Apple, I was talking to an experienced engineer in the office on the ground floor. He stood with his back to the window, so I have a good view on the large area in front of Caffè Macs.

Once I digress to look at the window, trying to figure out who was going down that road with John Ayvom. Gestures seemed familiar, but... Wait. What the hell?

I pointed to the one I saw in the window. My companion turned and looked, and said, "Yes, we know that come the summer - Steve wears shorts." And another short-sleeved shirt tropical style on buttons.

Seriously, I did not recognize him at first. The campus went a bit strange dressed people, including one guy who kept wearing plaid kilt. And I'm not even sure that the guy was a Scot.

At least Steve looked great, even if the outfit was not particularly steep.

And, according to my recollection, it was a great tan, better than most of the rest of us geeks.

Disease

In the next few years at Apple, I must have seen Steve rarer than in Safari times. Certain circumstances and partly my choice.

I had a few applications to discuss with him, and when they were, I tried to keep someone from my staff did a demo in his place.

Once it turned out pretty long, longer than usual period of time, when I met with Steve. Actually, during that period, I do not remember seeing him in the cafeteria or walking across campus.

And then I was summoned to participate in design discussions with Steve.

When I entered the conference room, I was shocked. Steve looked thin and haggard, with unhealthy skin color, as the old man.

Disturbing look and behavior. He looked tired and without the usual concentration.

We all knew Steve was sick. He told us about the cancer. But at that time I did not understand how the disease sucked out of him juice.

I do not even remember the theme of the project. When it was over, I quickly left and went to my office.

Realizing that what I saw, much brought me down, I went to the office Darin Adler, but not in his. I needed to talk to someone about it. As a manager, you should never share these things with someone who reports to you. But I knew Darina for many years and trusted him.

And he did not disappoint. But both of us it was clear that nothing could be done, but to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. And get back to work.

That is why, a few months later, I was actually relieved to hear that Steve is liver transplant. This idea frightened many people, but it has given me hope.

When he returned after the operation, he still did not look like the good old Steve, but he looked much better than the last time. So much better than what many of us had hoped that he will be with us for a long time.

The last time I saw Steve, we were talking about Safari.

It was early in the summer of 2011 before he retired. Steve has been on sick leave since January of that year. Becoming thinner and weaker times of times, he still came to the office to do what he loved.

In discussing the new Safari features the question arose about the version for Windows. Steve wanted to know how we can make it better and more competitive.

By the time I felt pretty relaxed next to Steve. So relaxed that he decided - my hell - you can be blunt.

In addition, more and more people at Apple brought to support the development of Windows features, from which depended application, and I told him that this was a problem not a technical kind - we really needed a advertising. And that Safari for Windows can not compete with Chrome, because Google has placed on its home page button to download and good to spend on advertising on television, in print and Network.

Scott Forstall has supported me in this. Another reason why Scott - a great leader.

Darin Adler, is currently working on the Safari and WebKit for me, he braced himself, and added that the promotion needs not only the Windows Safari, but Mac Safari.

We all huddled in a small room, where the project was discussed. I was sitting right in front of very close with Steve.

He seemed to be considering the issue and the proposal for some time. He really thought about it. And it was great. Still, it was known that quickly changes his decision.

But in the end, he said no.

I guess that the reason was the focus on other things. By the time we were focused on iOS, iPhone and iPad. Hell, we do not advertise Macs or OS on TV at the time.

I was not thrilled, but I could understand.

And when you will be able to thoughtfully reflect on your ideas from the perspective of Steve - well, that would be a good day.

A few months later, I was home sick in bed with the flu, a little out of work - generally not aware of the news.

Not that we did not expect, but I was surprised when Scott called to tell me that Steve had died. I thank him for it, because I understand how difficult it must have a say.

And even better is that Steve had died at home, surrounded by family. Because it was a good man.

After I called his team and made sure that they were aware of, and they were right, I told them to any of their team members at will could take a day off for the day. Most of them still remain, because they do not like to be alone.

Then I lay back in bed, alone, selfish and realized how lucky I was that I knew this man, though not as close as I could.