It's hard to believe I almost didn't take my job on Final Cut
Pro; I was strongly considering working for Amazon in Seattle. But
I chose Apple. I remember the last conversation I had with my first
manager before accepting the job was when he told me ProApps went
to Vegas every year. Sign me up!
Not only did I stay at Apple for six years, but I stayed on
Final Cut Pro the whole time. Yes, it was that good. My time on FCP
saw it go from the application that was pulling ahead of Premiere
for the first time, to becoming the de facto editor for everything
except film (we are in that market also, but not the leader).
The past six years included 4 large releases and countless
minor updates. There were six amazing trips to Las Vegas, some for
as long as 10 days (not a good idea!). I worked with people who are
now some of my closest friends. We did a photo slideshow on
Thursday at my going away party. So many great memories.
Being on Final Cut Pro also allowed me to work remotely from
New York, something that I probably wouldn't have been able to do
if I worked anywhere else. I thought I would explore New York for a
year and head back. But instead I found a city I fell in love with
and where I really fit in. New York City makes me happy, and I owe
that to Apple as well.
It's definitely a weird feeling to not be an Apple employee.
Apple has been such a huge part of my life, I'm sure many people
never thought I would leave the company. But there are bigger
things ahead! It's sad to not be associated with this company
anymore. But even if I'm not an employee, I'll always be a fan boy
:).
I got a lot of shit from people for using a Mac through middle
school and high school. Apple never got any respect for what they
did, but I always stood behind the company. The way I evangelize
Apple today, imagine how hard that was 10 years ago.
It's been incredible to be at Apple the past six years and see
them on their way up. Since the iPod was announced in October 2001
(I was in the audience in Town Hall where Steve
announced the
first iPod), Apple has become incredibly well respected for all
the products they produce. Mac market share is way up, Vista is
thought to be dead, anyone buying a new computer who can afford a
Mac is considering it.
It really is a dream come true to see where Apple is today.
Apple may not have even 20% market share yet, but that's fine. The
way I see it, Apple has succeeded in becoming the BMW of computers.
Not everyone wants one, and not everyone can afford one. But
everyone respects them and sees them as high quality computers,
with attention to detail, great software, great design. Everyone
aspires to be like Apple.
My last day at Apple felt very surreal. And it was a little
bittersweet. I don't know what I expected, but at the end I
couldn't believe it was over.
Thanks Steve. Thanks Final Cut Pro.
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