> If you're looking for a role model of a technical founder he'd be my pick.
That's a good choice. Still, you might want to avoid some of the PR choices he has made.
I think it's kind of shame that Woz gets as much mainstream media attention as he does, especially surrounding his relationship with Kathy Griffin. In many people's eyes he's just grabbing fame by latching himself onto Steve Jobs. I think he would have gained less publicity but more respect if he stepped out of the limelight a little more often.
I don't mean to be overly critical, because there are advantages to the choices he's made, but it's worth understanding why Woz doesn't get all the respect he deserves.
>In many people's eyes he's just grabbing fame by latching himself onto Steve Jobs.
Interesting. This is exactly the opposite of how most technical people I know would describe the situation.
>I think he would have gained less publicity but more respect if he stepped out of the limelight a little more often.
I don't see why a technical person should avoid publicity any more than a business person. I mean, sure, it's better to have publicity for your technical achievements, but let's face facts. Few in the mainstream media care about your technical achievements.
As for the Kathy Griffin thing, eh, so he's seeing someone famous. Who cares? I mean, it's not something that'd make me respect him more, but I guess I don't really see why it'd make anyone respect him less.
I had never heard of this Kathy Griffin before you mentioned her, and never heard nor read of any connection between her and Woz until now. Wozniak is almost completely absent from almost all the the media[1] I consume - I don't think he has much mainstream fame and attention except as colour commentary when Apple is doing or has done something.
Are you sure that you aren't actively looking for Woz stories, that there isn't a bias at work?
[1] Mainstream media for me is a range of UK Guardian, Telegraph and BBC website, Economist, NYT and occasional WaPo, WSJ and FT.
I'm not actively searching for Woz stories, but wouldn't you perk up if heard Steve Wozniak's name on the promo for Entertainment Tonight? It was extremely out of place, but sadly that kind of thing is all some people know about him.
All I'm saying is that, even though Woz deserves a lot of respect, his reputation has been distorted by the American media behemoth. In the end that doesn't really matter, but it is something that happened.
In many people's eyes he's just grabbing fame by latching himself onto Steve Jobs.
Those people's eyes need clearing. If anything it was Jobs who, with his eye for talent, "latched himself onto" Wozniak, not the other way around. Woz is not only the prototypical engineering genius, he practically defines the term ingenuous.
I don't agree, and then the image of them together is what sticked with me as Apple ][ user. He had fun doing some dancing and that's all - if nothing else shows that a geek can have some fun.
That's a good choice. Still, you might want to avoid some of the PR choices he has made.
I think it's kind of shame that Woz gets as much mainstream media attention as he does, especially surrounding his relationship with Kathy Griffin. In many people's eyes he's just grabbing fame by latching himself onto Steve Jobs. I think he would have gained less publicity but more respect if he stepped out of the limelight a little more often.
I don't mean to be overly critical, because there are advantages to the choices he's made, but it's worth understanding why Woz doesn't get all the respect he deserves.