大象传媒

RIP the Fake Steve Jobs

• Maggie Shiels
• 10 Jul 08, 07:13 GMT

It is with deep regret that I write about the passing of the .

The character, who allegedly had more than a passing resemblance to the chief, was devised by Dan Lyons. Dan was the person who gave me some very sage advice on starting my first blog, which was "Don't do it, it's like a monkey on your back."

Well, it seems Dan is ditching the monkey that has been on his back for the last couple of years, despite the fact it resulted in a certain amount of notoriety, a modicum of fame and quite a bit of success. Oh and let's not forget the mini witch-hunt that was carried out to unmask the Fake Steve and find out who was behind the creation that captivated the technology world.

Eventually the blogosphere discovered that editor Dan Lyons conjured up the secret diary of Steve Jobs as a way to stay relevant and in a job. No more worries on that score, because the blog has propelled Dan into a new job with .

Apparently Apple complained about their new signing. Dan did reveal that he understood Mr Jobs was not best pleased with the parody that portrayed him as egocentric and autocratic.

As well as moving onto pastures new, the real Dan Lyons will get the chance to shine through with a column under his own name. So it was those developments on the horizon that prompted the affable Dan to let the Fake Steve put down his weed and hippy mantras and call it a day.

He also admitted to getting a little tired of the Fake Steve and even when he thought about doing a similar diary with another character, it just wasn't convincing.

"I tried transitioning to other voices, like , but it just didn't work," said Mr Lyons.

"It seems clear that people reading the blog wanted to read Fake Steve or nothing."

In his final blog, the Fake Steve writes "I'm sorry that the blog is fizzling out. I know you'll miss FSJ. So will I. But rest assured, Fake Steve is not really going away. He's just taken on a new form. As Jimi Hendrix once said, 'If I don't see you no more in this world, I'll meet you on the next one, but don't be late'."

But if you just can't face the future without the musings of the Fake Steve, then you won't have too long to wait because a book of his bon mots is out very soon and Dan is also working on a script to put his creation on the silver screen.

Namaste to all. Much love. Peace out.

The final poignant words of one Fake Steve Jobs. What will life be like without him?