Lieutenant Dan would be a millionaire by now.

In a week's time, Apple Computer will be celebrating its 30th birthday, and Yahoo News has a short but interesting write-up about the company where they've come since starting out as a homebrew operationg by two college drop-outs. There is also some speculation (as always) that Apple might be releasing something new as a way of celebrating -- "true" video iPods with touchscreens, a 13" wide-screen Intel iBook, and a 30th-anniversary Mac are all on the suspect list.

As the storied company celebrates its 30th birthday in a week, Apple Computer Inc. will have brushed off its bruises from product failures and arguably misguided decisions to emerge with a shine that's more than skin-deep.

Its brand name and products — from the Mac to the iPod — resonate as both hip and innovative. For all of its recent successes, however, Apple also has its share of challenges ahead as it matures into a digital media provider.

It's a quick but good read, even for the Apple-hater/Microsoft-shill/Linux-jihadist/whatever. Computers and digital entertainment simply wouldn't be the way they are today without Apple and Microsoft having been there to kick and shove each other over the years.

While we're on the topic of Apple -- Apple devs, please, FTFF.