Thanks so much for the reply Liza. That’s certainly a very interesting story about Woz! What a piece (two pieces) of history you have there!

Before I carry on I want to make it clear I’m not having a go at what you’ve said about Woz.

Obviously, unlike me, you know him and met Jobs, but I’m afraid I was totally put off Woz from his book. I think I managed two chapters in when it became clear (as my memory recalls, apologies if it is false) that he was an extreme right-wing nut job who didn’t seem to believe in taxation (probably he was in favour of VAT only — that great con theory of the rich) and thought it was right America was going around the world imposing their rule by force.

I wanted to read a book about the technology I grew up with/following and his side of the Apple story. Maybe he got on to that, but I didn’t stick around to find out. Oh well!

That aside, it was certainly nice of him to donate the computers etc so he can’t be all bad! Everyone — even Jobs ;) — has good and bad sides!

But yes, you’re right, Apple has a terrible culture that they have managed to convince people is the opposite to the reality. No matter what anyone thinks of Jobs, he was a master of overseeing branding and marketing.

[79 year old spoiler ahead ;)]

A bit like a reverse of the Wizard of Oz. They seem nice and friendly, but actually behind the curtain they are nasty as hell — and one day everyone will probably find that out as and when they suffer similar problems.