Of course, one need only look to current and past board members to see the tremendous non-influence the board of directors has on Apple Computer. Currently, former Vice President Albert Gore Jr., who is outspoken on matters pertaining to the environment, sits on the board at the same time Apple Computer is berated for its environmental policies. There is Bill Campbell, Chairman and former CEO of Intuit, and any Mac enthusiast who has used Quicken can attest to all the great things Bill Campbell has done for Apple. There is also Milliard Drexler, CEO of J. Crew, so maybe that's where the iPod sock idea came from. Larry Ellison, a good friend of Steve Jobs, was on the board for several years, and that more than anything else probably sums up what it means to be on the board: a friend of Steve.