[Ed. note: Photo credit – Kien Tran] – AL3

Celebrities, politicians and people from all walks from life took to the internet, Facebook, Google, Twitter and all types of media in a mass reaction to Steve Jobs’ death.   Among the hottest tags on Twitter – #SteveJobs #Sad #RIP, there are also reports that the Twitter service was crushed by the influx of activity on the system.  Steve Jobs’ influence and the adoration of an absolute historical technology giant reflects the life of a once in a generation icon and his legacy.  The spectrum of responses from around the world has been a who’s who of people around the world.  A sample of some of the significant people and their comments are below.

Paul Allen – “My condolences to Steve Jobs family and friends. We’ve lost a unique tech pioneer and auteur who knew how to make amazingly great products.”

Mark Zuckerberg – “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”

Gizmodo put up a farewell http://gizmodo.com/5838847/steve-jobs-is-dead

Bill Gates – “I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.

Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.

The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.

For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor.  I will miss Steve immensely. “

Steve Wozniak – “Keeping family dinner despite the disturbing news” – On Twitter –  (note..Steve was just on CNN for about 20 minutes on the phone)

Sergey Brin – “From the earliest days of Google, whenever Larry and I sought inspiration for vision and leadership, we needed to look no farther than Cupertino. Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product (including the macbook I am writing this on right now). And I have witnessed it in person the few times we have met.”

Arnold Schwarzenneger – “Steve lived the California Dream every day of his life and he changed the world and inspired all of us. #ThankYouSteve”

Steve Ballmer – “I want to express my deepest condolences at the passing of Steve Jobs, one of the founders of our industry and a true visionary. My heart goes out to his family, everyone at Apple and everyone who has been touched by his work.”

Barack Obama – “…Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

Apple’s website features a portrait of Jobs, along with the following statement:

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being.  Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor.  Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com ”

And with that, quotes, tributes, and condolences will continue for days to come.  A man who came to symbolize the consumerization of computer technology has passed and left a legacy of inspiration,  a legend in computing’s history, and legions of fans still wanting more.  A grand exit – Steve lived his life exactly as he wanted to.  He will be missed by fans, enemies, reporters, and everyday people.

Echoed in his now famous Stanford speech, these famous words come to mind “Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”